Actor Salman Khan, who is currently hosting Bigg Boss 20, spoke out against the culture of online trolling during this week’s Weekend Ka Vaar. While addressing contestant Scout over remarks he made the previous week, Salman questioned why people resort to trolling and said he has also been subjected to comments about his age, weight and looks. He then challenged his trolls on stage by taking off his hat and jacket and asking them to continue.
The 60-year-old actor brought up Scout’s comments from the previous week, when the contestant had asked his gaming community to troll him if he said something inappropriate. Scout appeared apologetic as Salman questioned the thinking behind such behaviour.
“What do you want to troll? And why do you want to troll? What is the mentality? It has happened with me too. Bhai mota ho gaya hai (He has become fat). Kar lo na troll, ye lo (Now come, troll me),” Salman said.
He then took off his hat and jacket and added, “Kar lo trolling” (Come troll me).
The Tiger Zinda Hai actor also wiped off his makeup on stage and challenged the audience, saying, “Karo troll ab” (Now troll me).
He went on to question people who make such comments about celebrities.
“Kamaal hai, pehle apne aap ko dekho. Aap log jo comment karte ho, kisi ke upar jo bhi karte ho, pehle apni shakal dekh lo, apna jism dekh lo, uske baad karna ye. Apne maa-baap ko dekh lo pehle, unki sehat dekh lo, uske baad karna,” he said. (It’s amazing. First look at yourselves. Whatever comments you make about someone, first look at your own face and body before doing so. Look at your parents and their health first, and then make such comments.)
Salman, however, said he understands comments that come from genuine concern about an actor’s appearance or health instead of an intention to mock.
“Ek samajh mein aata hai ki, ‘Bhai, you have lost weight or you have put on weight, we are worried.’ Woh sab samajh aata hai,” he added. (I can understand someone saying, ‘Bhai, you have lost weight or you have put on weight, we are worried.’ I understand that.)
The actor also pointed out that trolling is not limited to him and often targets other actors and members of the film industry, including his brother Sohail Khan and Varun Dhawan.
“Lekin mazaak udaana Sohail ke upar, Varun ke upar, har ek industry ke upar. Lagao ab jitni trolling karni hai,” Salman said. (But making fun of Sohail, Varun and everyone in the industry. Go ahead and troll as much as you want.)
Salman further criticised trolls who repeatedly target celebrities over their clothes and appearance.
“Phatte hue joote bhi pehenta hoon aur agli baar woh bhi pehenkar aaunga. Same shit yaar ki ye dress inhone phir se pehni hai,” he said. (I even wear torn shoes, and I’ll wear them again next time. It’s the same thing — ‘They have worn this dress again.’)
He also questioned people who hide behind social media accounts while targeting celebrities. Salman discussed the criticism actors and influencers face when they comment on politicians and said people should concentrate on their work rather than making personal attacks.
Salman Khan on his bald looks
Salman also addressed the frequent comments about his bald appearance, explaining that it was part of his look and sharing the personal reason behind it.
“People say, ‘Takla ho gaya hai’. Picture ka look hai ye. And the real reason is a friend of mine passed away, some two months ago. Aur log bolte hai, ‘Transplant kara raha hai’. It doesn’t make a difference to me,” he said. (People say I have gone bald. This is the look for the film. The actual reason is that a friend of mine passed away around two months ago. Then people say, ‘I’m undergoing a transplant.’)
The actor said he has learned to use both criticism and praise as motivation and does not let negative comments affect him. Salman added that people respond to criticism differently, but he has learned to draw something positive from both appreciation and negativity.
He also highlighted how false or abusive comments can affect people who may not have the ability to cope with them. Salman said some people who struggle to handle such negativity can end up going into deep depression.
Salman further criticised the abusive language used by some trolls, saying it reveals their upbringing.
“Aur the language that they use. Unki parvarish pata chalti hai ki ye kaun hai. Unke toh mooh bhi nahi lagna chahiye. Kabhi-kabhi aisa lagta hai ki woh hamare log hain bhi ya nahi. Ye insaan bhi hai ya nahi. Parasites,” he added. (The language they use tells you about their upbringing and the kind of people they are. One should not even engage with them. Sometimes it makes you wonder whether these people are even our own or whether they are even human.)
He said people who do not enjoy a film can simply choose not to watch it rather than personally targeting the actors.
Salman Khan on paparazzi taking back shots
During the same episode, Salman also addressed the way paparazzi photograph female celebrities, particularly when photographers intentionally take intrusive shots from behind or focus on their legs and thighs. Referring to situations involving actors such as Sai Manjrekar and Neha Dhupia, he questioned why such pictures are taken when some women are visibly uncomfortable. He also encouraged women who object to the practice to speak up to photographers.
“The paparazzi are like, ‘Ye tangon ka shot mil jaye.’ And the one behind se jo shot leta hai, which none of the heroines or girls like. There must be a few jo bolti hongi ki haan, le lo, I don’t mind. But unka kya jinko ye achha nahi lagta?” Salman said. (The paparazzi are like, ‘Let’s get a shot of her legs.’ And then there are photographers who take shots from behind, which actresses and girls generally do not like. There may be some who say, ‘Yes, take it, I don’t mind.’ But what about those who do not like it?)
Salman recalled seeing Sai Manjrekar, who worked with him in Dabangg 3, looking uncomfortable with such photography. He also mentioned Neha Dhupia and said he had witnessed a similar incident involving his own niece.
Salman urged women who are uncomfortable with such intrusive photographs to stand up for themselves and directly confront photographers.
Hosted by Salman Khan, Bigg Boss 20 is streaming on JioHotstar and airing on Colors TV.
