Salman Khan Reflects on Stardom: ‘I Feel Like a Monkey in a Zoo’

Author Chetan Bhagat shares insights into the Bollywood superstar’s candid thoughts on fame and fan adoration.

Renowned author Chetan Bhagat recently recounted his experiences with Bollywood megastar Salman Khan, shedding light on the actor’s genuine and introspective nature. Their association began when Khan acquired the rights to Bhagat’s novel, One Night @ the Call Centre, which was adapted into the 2008 film Hello, directed by Khan’s brother-in-law, Atul Agnihotri.​

During an interview with The Lallantop, Bhagat reminisced about his initial visit to Khan’s iconic residence, Galaxy Apartments in Mumbai. At the time, Bhagat was employed at a bank and had just sold his book’s film rights to Khan. He described the experience as surreal, noting that meeting the superstar felt like “visiting a galaxy.”

Bhagat observed that Khan possesses an uncanny ability to assess people’s authenticity. He remarked, “Salman has a sixth sense. He decides whether he likes a person or not by figuring out how genuine they are—someone who doesn’t want anything from him.”

Their professional relationship deepened during the making of the 2014 action film Kick, for which Bhagat co-wrote the screenplay. He recalled spending considerable time on set, engaging in meaningful conversations with Khan. Bhagat emphasized Khan’s authenticity, stating that the actor doesn’t put on a facade and remains true to himself.​

One particular interaction left a lasting impression on Bhagat. While promoting Hello, he asked Khan about the constant attention from fans seeking photographs. Khan candidly responded, “Mujhe aisa lagta hai jaise chidiya ghar mein bandar hota hai” (I feel like a monkey in a zoo), but acknowledged, “Kabhi kabhi irritate karta hai, par jis din yeh chala gaya, sab chala gaya” (It feels irritating sometimes, but I know the day this goes, everything goes). ​

This perspective resonated with Bhagat, who reflected on its significance during his own encounters with admirers. He noted that whenever he feels overwhelmed by public attention, he recalls Khan’s words, reminding himself of the transient nature of fame and the importance of appreciating one’s supporters.