The festive air surrounding Bollywood megastar Salman Khan’s annual Eid celebrations took an unexpected turn, as scenes of pandemonium outside his Mumbai residence were captured and shared by paparazzi, displaying law enforcement in action.
Mumbai, a city known for its celebrity culture and massive fan followings, witnessed an alarming situation this Eid when Salman Khan’s legion of admirers swarmed the streets near Galaxy Apartments, Bandra, to catch a glimpse of the icon. The festive occasion, marked by joy and anticipation, quickly escalated into chaos, pushing the Mumbai Police to resort to a lathi charge to disperse the overwhelmingly large crowd.
Salman Khan’s presence in the city is akin to that of royalty, with fans eager to partake in the traditional fanfare he provides every Eid. This practice, cherished by both the star and his fans, was interrupted by the public’s over-enthusiasm, resulting in a precarious congestion that mirrored the onset of a stampede. A fleeting video clip, disseminated across social media platforms by celebrity photographer Viral Bhayani, showcases police officials wielding batons to regain control and ensure the public’s safety.
Despite the unforeseen disturbance, the steadfast actor and philanthropist remained devoted to his followers. In a gracious turn of events, he announced the premiere of his upcoming film, ‘Sikandar’, directed by the notable AR Murugadoss, known for his pulsating action narratives and compelling storytelling.
Khan artfully unveiled the title on Instagram, enticing his fan base with the following words: “Iss Eid ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ aur ‘Maidaan’ ko dekho aur agli Eid Sikandar se aa kar Milo (Watch Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Maidaan on this Eid, next Eid, meet Sikandar). Wish u all Eid Mubarak!” Instilling further anticipation, the film is slated for a theatrical release come Eid 2025 and is brought to life by an accomplished cinematic duo—producer Sajid Nadiadwala and director Murugadoss, whose past collaborations with megastars have yielded box-office gold.
The resonance of a Salman Khan film with the festival of Eid is a phenomenon well ingrained in the cultural fabric of India. Beginning his Eid release tradition with ‘Judwaa’ in 1997, Khan’s cinematic offerings became a staple of the holiday. Titles such as ‘Dabangg’, ‘Bodyguard’, ‘Ek Tha Tiger’, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, ‘Sultan’, and ‘Bharat’ brought joy to millions, affirming the actor’s status as a relentless entertainer. While this year diverges from the norm of an Eid release, it remains a testament to Khan’s intent to perpetuate the celebratory spirit with a promising announcement.
The illustrious actor’s recent appearance on the silver screen was alongside Katrina Kaif and Emraan Hashmi in the thriller ‘Tiger 3’, which witnessed significant success with audiences and critics alike.
The encounter with Khan’s fans outside his home stands as a stark reminder of the thin line between celebration and mismanaged crowd frenzy. In the end, the true essence of Eid—unity, joy, and togetherness—underscored by Khan’s commitment to his art and audience, remains unscathed, inviting movie enthusiasts to look forward to the next cinematic journey, ‘Sikandar,’ with unbridled eagerness.
As the crowd dispersed under the vigilant supervision of the Mumbai Police, the incident serves as an exemplar of the potent adoration Salman Khan commands and the paramount importance of public safety during such high-profile events. (With inputs from ANI)
