Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, long known for his muscular, action-ready physique, has opened up about the physical toll years of demanding roles have taken on his body. During a candid conversation, the actor addressed criticism over his appearance and shared details of the injuries and health complications he has battled behind the scenes.
Appearing on Karan Johar’s Koffee With Karan 9, Salman spoke about the lasting impact of his 2016 sports drama Sultan. Responding to trolling he faced over his shirtless appearance on Bigg Boss 20, he admitted that injuries and health issues had changed his physique over time. He said it was unfair to fans who expected to see him looking a certain way, adding, “No matter how old you are, it is unfair on them to see me like that.”
Detailing the extent of his injuries, Salman revealed, “My head was broken, had some hernia, some stuff here, and a shoulder messed up. And, this all came up from Sultan.” He further listed additional health issues he has dealt with, saying, “Knee and back, and then the trigeminal neuralgia and the aneurysm. But, that is not any justification for how I was looking then, you know?” His remarks underlined the physical demands of playing a wrestler and the long-term effects such preparation can have on an actor’s body.
Salman also explained why he continues to prioritise fitness despite these struggles. He noted that many fans, especially younger ones, view him as a fitness benchmark, recalling how youngsters sometimes compare their own fathers to him, asking why they can’t look the way he does. At the same time, he acknowledged that several others in the film industry are fitter than him, reflecting on the pressures that come with being a veteran action star while dealing with age-related health challenges.
Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and produced by Yash Raj Films, Sultan released in 2016 and starred Salman Khan as a former wrestling champion from Haryana attempting to revive his career after personal setbacks. The film also featured Anushka Sharma, Randeep Hooda and Amit Sadh, and went on to become a major commercial success, earning over Rs 623 crore worldwide.
Source: India
