One would assume that adulation rests easy on Dulquer Salmaan's shoulders — after all, he has witnessed it up-close since childhood, courtesy superstar father Mammootty, and gone on to amass a legion of fans of his own. But broach the subject of his immense popularity among women — he is one of the few stars to have a women's fan association, All Kerala Dulquer Salmaan Fans And Welfare Association — and he sheepishly grins, "The fans are sweet. They are there on the set, at events and even follow me to my car. But I do not think too much about it."

In the seven years since he burst on the scene, his love for acting has seen him dabble in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu cinema. After a tepid start in Bollywood with Karwaan (2018) last year, Salmaan is ready to follow it up with a mainstream offering, The Zoya Factor, opposite Sonam K Ahuja. "Sonam loves fashion, so she always has something to say about my outfits and how I should rock them, especially now, during promotions. Her comments are motivating and positive," he says, aware that he has to make a sartorial statement when around B-Town's resident fashionista.