Mumbai, October 4, 2026: Salman Khan recently opened up about a difficult phase in his career when he was offered the television reality show Dus Ka Dum. The actor revealed that he had initially decided not to host the show because of the negativity surrounding him at the time. However, advice from his father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, made him reconsider the decision.
Salman Was Hesitant Amid Negative Publicity
Speaking during Bigg Boss, Salman recalled that several reports about his court cases, relationships and films were making headlines when Dus Ka Dum was offered to him. He said negative comments about him were appearing across newspapers and television channels.
Amid this atmosphere, Salman initially felt that hosting a reality show might not be the right decision and considered turning down the offer.
Salim Khan Asked Him to Trust Himself
Salman then sought his father Salim Khan’s opinion. According to the actor, his father asked him whether he trusted his personality, thoughts, heart and upbringing.
When Salman replied that he did, Salim Khan encouraged him to accept the show and simply be himself instead of worrying about public perception.
‘Dus Ka Dum’ Showed Salman Beyond Films
Salman said he decided not to create a separate television persona and appeared on Dus Ka Dum as he was in real life. The show, which premiered on Sony TV on June 6, 2008, gave audiences an opportunity to see a different side of the actor.
He believes viewers gradually began looking beyond his popular films such as Maine Pyaar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Karan Arjun.
According to Salman, the biggest change was that audiences started seeing him not merely as an actor, but as a human being.
Salman’s Advice to ‘Bigg Boss’ Contestants
While sharing the story, Salman also urged Bigg Boss contestants to stop playing cautiously. He told them to express their opinions openly and not avoid confrontation simply out of fear of being reprimanded during the weekend episode.