Salman Khan says he was targeted quite badly before Dus Ka Dum: 'My image was cleared in one episode'

Salman Khan (Pic/Instagram)

Salman Khan had a reality check for the Bigg Boss 20 contestants during Weekend Ka Vaar, calling out their subdued behaviour and urging them to show their real personalities. Drawing from his own experience with Dus Ka Dum, Salman recalled how he overcame negativity and took his father's advice to simply be himself.

Salman Khan recalls Dus Ka Dum days

In the latest episode of Bigg Boss 20's Weekend Ka Vaar, Salman Khan called out the contestants for holding back and not showing their real personalities. He remembered a phase when he was surrounded by constant negativity and how hosting Dus Ka Dum changed things for him. Salman said, "Maine Pyar Kiya, ye kaam, wo kaam... phir main television pe aaya. And at that time, there was a lot of negativity against me, from court cases to relationships to films, everything."

The actor revealed that he was initially reluctant to take it up. He said, "I was not going to do it because there was so much negativity against me. Every newspaper you opened, every TV channel, I was being criticised and targeted quite badly."

The actor then recalled seeking his father Salim Khan's advice on whether he should do the show. According to Salman, his father asked him, "Tumko tumhari upbringing pe bharosa hai ki nahi?" Salim Khan also advised Salman to be himself on the show. Salman said, "In that one show, they got to know who I was. They stopped associating me with my films and saw that show as they didn't see an actor there, rather they saw a person." Recalling the impact of the show on his public image, Salman said, "Jo meri image bani thi media mein, that was cleared in one episode."

More about Weekend Ka Vaar

Addressing one of the biggest controversies of the week, he called out Qazi Touqeer over his showdown with Kanika Mann. Salman questioned Qazi about what led Kanika to feel hurt and asked him to reflect on how he handled the situation.

Salman then highlighted the dynamic between Aasif Khan, Yung DSA and Love Gill, pointing out that if Aasif has an issue with Yung, he directly confronts him. He then turned his attention to the other group and highlighted the equation between Uditi, Arishfa Khan, Aman and Mahhi Vij. He pointed out that Uditi, Arishfa and Aman spend much of their time with Mahi, but once Mahi goes to sleep, they sit together and analyse her game and discuss her gameplay.