To kiss or not to kiss is a popular question in Bollywood, and superstar Salman Khan has given his two cents on the matter: for him, kissing scenes are not necessary in a film.

The 49-year-old actor, whose production Hero will be soon be released, has reportedly edited a 30-minute scene from the film that showed the lead couple kissing, according to The Indian Express,

The romantic film Hero will be introducing new faces to the industry, namely Sunil Shetty's daughter Athiya and Aditya Pancholi's son Sooraj.

Elaborating on his no-kissing statement, Salman said: “There is no kissing scene in the film. We wanted to put one but they (filmmakers) refused. I have not done kissing scene [generally]… how can I ask them [Sooraj and Athiya] to do it. I don’t think they also wanted to do a kissing scene."

Salman also commented on the many aspects of launching new stars. He said that while a good film doesn't need acclaimed actors to ensure its success, his act of promoting new stars could backfire for the film:

“Sooraj Barjatya [director of Maine Pyaar Kiya] at that time was not an established face but he produced Salman Khan in the industry," Salman recalled, "It is about how good the film and its music is. The audience response makes films successful and make stars."

“It [Promoting newcomers] could also turn the other way round," he continued, "Salman is producing the film but not acting in it. It could work against us. If Karan Johar or Aditya Chopra would launch newcomers, then people would like to see that film of newcomers. I am here promoting is a big scare."

Nevertheless the actor said that he did not bother about the budget because it was a launching pad for two new actors: “I did not care about the budget… If I cared I would have made it disastrous. Their journey starts from this film so we did not want to leave any stone unturned. As a hero I will do work for another 35, 40 years. It should not happen that people point fingers at me."

Opinion

Editorial

Bulldozed bill
Updated 22 May, 2024

Bulldozed bill

Where once the party was championing the people and their voices, it is now devising new means to silence them.
Out of the abyss
22 May, 2024

Out of the abyss

ENFORCED disappearances remain a persistent blight on fundamental human rights in the country. Recent exchanges...
Holding Israel accountable
22 May, 2024

Holding Israel accountable

ALTHOUGH the International Criminal Court’s prosecutor wants arrest warrants to be issued for Israel’s prime...
Iranian tragedy
Updated 21 May, 2024

Iranian tragedy

Due to Iran’s regional and geopolitical influence, the world will be watching the power transition carefully.
Circular debt woes
21 May, 2024

Circular debt woes

THE alleged corruption and ineptitude of the country’s power bureaucracy is proving very costly. New official data...
Reproductive health
21 May, 2024

Reproductive health

IT is naïve to imagine that reproductive healthcare counts in Pakistan, where women from low-income groups and ...