Mumbai, March 6 Actor Salman Khan praised veteran star Kabir Bedi, calling him the “original Tiger of India,” while reminiscing about the iconic 1976 television series, Sandokan.
Salman used his Instagram stories to praise Kabir Bedi for creating history nearly five decades ago by becoming the first Indian actor to headline an international television show with “Sandokan.”
“Sandokan, 50 years ago, the first Indian to star in an international TV show, the forever handsome and enigmatic ‘original Tiger,’ not only of Malaysia but of India,” Salman wrote in a video featuring Kabir, who was introducing the new “Sandokan,” Turkish actor Can Yaman.
Salman also wished luck to Can Yaman, who will be taking on the role in the upcoming adaptation of “Sandokan.” He noted that the actor has big shoes to fill and expressed excitement about watching the new version.
“I pray that everyone will be as strong and conduct their emotional life as @kabirbedi. The new Sandokan @canyaman… you have big shoes to fill. Best of luck! I’m going to watch it right now! I love you @ikabirbedi,” he wrote.
Sandokan is a 1976 Italian television series directed by Sergio Sollima, based on the novels of Emilio Salgari featuring the pirate hero Sandokan. It was followed in 1977 by a feature-length spin-off film, and in 1996 by a sequel series named The Return of Sandokan, with Kabir Bedi reprising his role as Sandokan in both.
Sandokan is a fictional late 19th-century pirate created by Italian author Emilio Salgari. His adventures first appeared in publication in 1883. Sandokan is the hero of 11 adventure novels. Within the series, Sandokan is known throughout the South China Sea as the "Tiger of Malaya".
Talking about Salman, he will next be seen in ‘Battle of Galwan’ based on the Galwan stand-off between India and its expansionist neighbour, China, on June 15, 2020, during the thick of the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India.
The Indian and Chinese troops clashed in the Galwan Valley, eastern Ladakh. It was part of a larger border standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The clash turned violent when both sides attempted to patrol disputed areas, leading to hand-to-hand combat.
The fighting resulted in the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers, while China also suffered casualties. This was the deadliest India–China face-off in over four decades, escalating tensions and prompting both nations to increase troop deployments and engage in diplomatic talks to avoid further conflict.
Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, the film is set to release on April 17.