The future looks bleak for 49-year-old actor Salman Khan – and the production houses depending on him: the actor has several films and projects in the pipeline that are reportedly worth 2.5 billion rupees (US$40 million).
Because the Indian legal system takes a long and unpredictable amount of time to reach a verdict – 13 years in the case of Khan – many filmmakers went ahead and put their money on the A-list actor. Here’s a quick look at upcoming films and projects that might be delayed or abandoned now that the star has been sentenced to five years in jail.
Kabir Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan
Khan was on the set of Bajrangi Bhaijaan until two nights before the May 6 verdict. The film is about a young Pakistani girl who loses her way somewhere along the Indo-Pakistan border and finds herself in India. Here, she runs into Khan, who plays the role of a kind man who takes it upon himself to take her back to Pakistan to be reunited with her family. Meanwhile, he becomes very attached to the child. The film also stars Kareena Kapoor and Nawazuddin Siddiqui and was to be released in July.
Sooraj R Barjatya's Prem Ratan Dhan Payo
Khan stars opposite Sonam Kapoor in this family drama, scheduled to be released in November. Directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya, the film has Khan playing two roles – that of a common man and a prince. The actors were recently spotted filming in Rajasthan. The film is due to be released in November.
Karan Johar’s Shuddhi
On March 31, Indian news media reported that Shuddhi would go into pre-production later in the year. Shuddhi has been hounded by trouble ever since Hrithik Roshan, who was originally signed on as the lead star, dropped out a year ago. Reports suggest that the story is about a village girl who turns into a glamorous film star and then into a princess. Jacqueline Fernandez and Sonakshi Sinha are rumoured to be in the running for the female lead. Johar and Khan previously worked together on the 1998 hit Kuch Kuch Hota Hai – the two were expected to deliver another blockbuster with Shuddhi.
Anees Bazmi’s No Entry Mein Entry
This recently announced sequel to the 2005 comedy No Entry was to star Anil Kapoor and Bipasha Basu alongside Khan. After many delays – owing to Khan's full schedule – filming was to begin in June.
Dabangg, Kick
Khan was also scheduled to star in the third instalment of his hit franchise Dabangg, and in a sequel to 2014's Kick.
Ali Abbas Zafar’s Sultan
Khan is to reportedly play a 40-year-old boxer in Sultan, directed by Ali Abbas Zafar. Khan reportedly had doubts about the time and commitment it would take for him to focus on the required diet and exercise regime for the role, given his other projects, but finally agreed. Deepika Padukone has been signed on as the leading lady.
Big Brother (TV)
The Indian version of international reality series Big Brother will be affected as Khan is the presenter. Many believe the show's popularity has much to do with Khan's presence, although he didn't seem to want to sign up for the next series because he allegedly found it "tiring".
artslife@thenational.ae