As Salman Khan moves on from Sikandar to his next, Battle of Galwan, the superstar breaks down his physical prep for his upcoming action film. He also talks about how getting in shape at 59 is tougher than ever
Salman Khan. Pics/PTI, Instagram
At 59, Salman Khan is not shying away from action. His last three films — Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023), Tiger 3 (2023), and the recent Sikandar — have been actioners, and his next, Battle of Galwan, will be a test of his physical prowess. As he sits down for his first interview with mid-day since Sikandar’s release, the superstar admits that training for the film has been taxing. “It’s physically intense. With each passing year, month, and day, it becomes more challenging. I have to invest a lot more time now. Earlier, I could get into shape in just a week or two, but this time I’m running, kicking, punching — doing it all. This film is on another level physically, especially with the shoot [slated to] happen in Ladakh, at high altitudes and in freezing water,” he begins.
Chitrangda Singh plays the female lead in Battle of Galwan
For decades, the superstar has been the poster boy of fitness for his male fans. But as he trains for director Apoorva Lakhia’s war drama — which is based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops that saw them employing hand-to-hand combat, and using sticks, stones, and clubs to fight — he says that maintaining peak fitness is not easy. “One cannot be that ripped all the time, 24x7. When there’s a role, you adjust your fitness accordingly. But every day, you have to eat right and work out. The older you grow, the harder you need to work because it’s not as easy to do this anymore. There are no shortcuts.”
In the past month, Khan has focused on the Indian Supercross Racing League (ISRL). While the actor was the brand ambassador last season, this time, he has stepped up as an investor. The decision stems from his desire to make off-road motorcycle racing popular, with an emphasis on safety. “In every small town, every village, there are kids attempting supercross on streets, which is dangerous not only for them, but also for the people around. We didn’t have any infrastructure where they could compete. In this sport, you’re going to fall, but be as safe as possible. Wear your padded gear,” he says. There’s another reason he wanted to back the sport. “Everything here is cricket, cricket, cricket! There’s nobody in this field, so I thought I should get into this.”
Kiren Rijiju
Bonding over fitness
In March, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju praised Salman Khan for going to Arunachal Pradesh in 2019 to promote adventure sports as part of the Fit India Movement. Mention Rijiju to him, and the actor says, “He is like a brother to me. He wanted me to go there to encourage the youth. Also, the family of Matin [Rey Tangu], who featured in Tubelight [2017], is close to Kiren. That’s how I got into it.”
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