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

Rigging claims
Updated 04 May, 2024

Rigging claims

The PTI’s allegations are not new; most elections in Pakistan have been controversial, and it is almost a given that results will be challenged by the losing side.
Gaza’s wasteland
04 May, 2024

Gaza’s wasteland

SINCE the start of hostilities on Oct 7, Israel has put in ceaseless efforts to depopulate Gaza, and make the Strip...
Housing scams
04 May, 2024

Housing scams

THE story of illegal housing schemes in Punjab is the story of greed, corruption and plunder. Major players in these...
Under siege
Updated 03 May, 2024

Under siege

Whether through direct censorship, withholding advertising, harassment or violence, the press in Pakistan navigates a hazardous terrain.
Meddlesome ways
03 May, 2024

Meddlesome ways

AFTER this week’s proceedings in the so-called ‘meddling case’, it appears that the majority of judges...
Mass transit mess
03 May, 2024

Mass transit mess

THAT Karachi — one of the world’s largest megacities — does not have a mass transit system worth the name is ...