The moment when Salman Khan’s debut as an action hero fell flat

Salman Khan is one of the first people who springs to mind when discussing Bollywood action heroes. He has been an action hero for more than two decades and is perhaps the first prominent actor to start the six-pack mania in the business. Although major actors with a well-defined physique had previously been there before Salman, such as Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt, the six-pack was first seen on television with Salman Khan. When Salman Khan strips off his shirt on film, the anticipation is still there. But do you recall the name of the first film in which Salman flaunted his lean frame?

Salman became known as a romantic lead in the early 1990s because to films like Maine Pyar Kiya, Baaghi, Saajan, and Hum Aapke Hai Kaun. He had not yet developed the big-hearted, masculine attitude for which he is now well-known. In 1995’s Veergati, he made his first try at a full-fledged action movie.

This film, directed by KK Singh and starring Salman, Divya Dutta, and Atul Agnihotri, revealed a whole new side to Salman, who appeared in a never-before-seen action persona. Salman played a somber and enraged character in the film and did not crack a grin once. He exercised for the part and appeared on film for the first time baring his chest.

Veergati, however, was a box office dud when it was first released. The death of Salman’s character in the movie, a departure from the era’s formulaic narratives, was blamed for the failure of the movie. After being released on DVD, Veergati apparently did better. Salman was already a well-known action star at that point.

In addition to Tiger 3, the third installment in the Tiger series, Salman most recently made an appearance in Kisi Ki Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.