'We don't want Daisy, Iulia': Salman gets reality check as fans fear for his career

No matter which film he picks, Salman Khan has always been able to insulate himself from box-office repercussions, all thanks to his fans. This is why despite the scathing reviews, Race 3 sprinted towards the 100-crore club. His fans have assured that each of his film enter the 100-crore club since 2011. That’s a remarkable 12 films at a stretch, discounting the guest appearances. But his fans finally seem to have had enough!

With Race 3 completing a fantastic first week, the fans have now decided to tell their idol that it is time to do better films. And they took to easiest way possible to reach out to Salman Twitter, the very medium that the actor had used to thank all his fans for watching the film. 

“I thank every 1 who has gone to see #Race3 in the theaters n each n every 1 individually for watching race n glad that u have liked n appreciated every 1s effort that was put in the movie. God bless sukhi raho n keep watching means a lot (sic),” Salman had tweeted on June 22.

Clearly, the real feedback hadn’t reached him. The fans not only disliked Race 3, now they fear Dabangg 3 will go the same way and started the #WeDon’tWant Dabangg3 on Twitter on Sunday. 

“You can be a good actor, but if you wish to be a star you need fans. And his fans have stood by him through a series of bad films since Wanted. But then Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan proved that he is capable of pulling off good cinema if he gets a good director and good story. It is not entirely surprising that his fans want him to look beyond the box office and concentrate on good cinema. They are anyway ensuring his films achieve a certain number at the box office. I think it is important Salman gets this message loud and clear,” says Amod Mehra, trade pundit and distributor.  

This is perhaps the first time fans are reaching out, at least in such a vocal manner, to correct a star. History indicates that fans just disappear over time as stars get caught up in indulgence. This is why Salman’s fans are trying to make a concerted effort to ensure his success. Says senior trade analyst Vinod Mirani, “Salman’s films usually don’t have much for the heroines. When your male cast is expensive it makes sense to have a less expensive girl like Daisy Shah. It is probably a decision made to keep the budget from going top-heavy,” he says.

Senior journalist Bharathi Pradhan also sees their point. “I completely understand why hardcore Salman Khan fans are feeling let down. People love him a lot but he should not take it for granted. Salman should genuinely get out of his ‘jai ho’ syndrome and stop playing the godfather to people. It is detrimental to his career,” says Bharathi. 

Amod, however, believes Salman may have already seen this coming. “He has already, although subtly, indicated that there is Bharat before Dabangg 3 and the fans should have nothing to complain about Bharat,” he says.

Would Salman change the course of his career for his fans? That would be a 100-crore question for sure. 

We tried reaching out to Arbaaz Khan as well as Daisy Shah to know what they feel, but our texts went unanswered. Salman is presently in the United States for his Dabangg Reloaded Tour, with Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha and others.

TWEETS
“I felt like Race3 was 1take movie. No retake. Don’t want this to happen again. I’ve watched your each film thrice in a theatre but last year TL & this Eid Race3 I saw only once. TL was good atleast there was Salman. But in Race3 you did cameo WE DONT WANT DABANGG3”  —SonalSalmanK

“We don’t want Dabangg 3 We don’t want Sher Khan We Don’t want Daisy Shah We don’t want Lulia Vantur”
—BadassSalmania

“We want quality films from you and not mediocre films like Race 3, Jai Ho. It’s only damaging your reputation and filmography. Please drop the idea of making Dabangg-3 and Sher khan.   We Don’t Want Dabangg3” —5eingVaibhav

“We love you bhai not Berozgars who are threat to Ur Career WE DONT WANT DABANGG 3” —Sks_warrior

“We Don’t Want Dabangg3 if you make another Dabangg3 thn it will be another disaster like Race3 . We want our superstars each & every movie should be blockbuster. so pls work with well known directors . No Mre Dabangg 3, Dancing Daddy type movies” — IAmThe SalmanFan