Mumbai, March 27 – Bollywood megastar Salman Khan has revealed that his much-talked-about action film with acclaimed South Indian director Atlee has been put on hold, citing financial hurdles as the key reason behind the delay.
Atlee Project Faces Budget Challenges
Speaking during a group interview, Khan disclosed that the ambitious action film scripted by Atlee has run into budget-related roadblocks. “He has written a very big budget action film. The film with Atlee is delayed; the budget is an issue for the film,” said the 59-year-old actor. He also mentioned the uncertainty regarding the casting, stating, “I don't know who from the two—Rajinikanth sir or Kamal Haasan sir—will be in it.”
Difficulties in Pan-India Collaborations
Khan emphasized the complexities involved in creating successful pan-India films that feature talent from both Bollywood and the South. “The thing is money... They also charge and we also charge, it is a big responsibility,” he explained, highlighting the importance of the right script for such collaborations.
Using the example of upcoming big-budget projects like Ramayana, Khan noted, “They can cast everyone from here and there (south). I've worked with directors, actors and technicians from the south in many films.”
However, he pointed out the stark disparity in audience reception, saying, “When my film is released there, it will not get the numbers because their fan following is very strong. We’ve accepted them here... but their fans do not go and see our films.”
On Theatrical Limitations and Industry Potential
Reflecting on the financial risks involved, Khan stated, “Budget becomes too high when making a pan-Indian film and it becomes very difficult to recover the money given the number of theatres here.” He added optimistically, “If we had 20,000 to 30,000 theatres, we would have killed Hollywood.”
Upcoming Action Film With Sanjay Dutt
Khan also confirmed another major action venture with longtime friend and co-star Sanjay Dutt. “I'm doing another big action film after Sikandar. That's rustic action. I'm doing it with my elder brother in the industry, Sanjay Dutt,” he shared, noting that the director is yet to be finalized.
The duo has previously collaborated on hits like Saajan and Chal Mere Bhai.
Remarks on Pakistani Actresses
When asked about Pakistani actresses expressing interest in working with him, Khan replied with a tongue-in-cheek response: “Oh, is it? They can take permission from here, let them get a visa from the government.”
Sikandar
Khan’s upcoming action entertainer Sikandar, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, is scheduled for a grand release on March 30, aligning with the festive occasion of Eid. The film features a star-studded cast including Rashmika Mandanna, Sathyaraj, Kajal Aggarwal, and Sharman Joshi.
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