Salman Khan found himself at the centre of an unexpected pop-culture moment after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat cited the actor as an inspiration for college students at a Mumbai event. The Bollywood star reacted with a quiet smile as Bhagwat spoke about how young people often follow what Salman wears. The moment, caught on camera, has since gone viral on social media.
Salman was seated in the audience during the RSS centenary programme when Bhagwat made the remark. Videos and photographs from the event have been widely shared, drawing attention to the actor’s calm and candid reaction.
“Salman Khan ji kya pehen te hai, college vidyarthi waese pehente hai. Kyun pehen rahe hai? ‘Unhone pehna hai isliye.’ Unhone kyun pehna hai? ‘Maloon nahi,’” Bhagwat said. (What Salman Khan wears, college students do the same. Why do they do it? Because he is wearing it. Why is he wearing it? I don’t know.)
He further said, “Sabhi baaton mein aesa, acchi baat buri baat, fashion se hi chalta hai. Fashion utpanna karne waale log hote hai woh samaajh k vishwas paatra, shrestha, keerteemaan, aese log hote hai...” (It's the same in every matter, good or bad, everything is driven by fashion. Those who create fashion in society are considered trustworthy, excellent and accomplished.)
As Bhagwat spoke, Salman listened attentively. Cameras captured him smiling briefly, a moment that later became a talking point online.
Several users recalled how his fitness-driven image in the 1990s and early 2000s inspired young men to take up bodybuilding. Others mentioned his signature fashion moments — from towel dance sequences and ripped denims to shirts tied around the waist — styles that were widely copied at the time. His firoza bracelet also came up repeatedly in online discussions, with fans noting how it turned into a trend among admirers.
Apart from Salman Khan, several Bollywood personalities attended the event, including Akshay Kumar, Pritam, Raveena Tandon, Ananya Panday and Karan Johar. Salman attended the programme on Saturday.
The actor was last seen in Sikandar (2025), an action drama directed by AR Murugadoss, which also featured Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi and Sathyaraj.
A source quoted by TOI said, “It’ll now release on August 14, 2026.”
Explaining the timing, the source added, “Salman Khan and the makers are of the opinion that it would be a better date since India’s Independence Day falls on August 15. The patriotic sentiment will be at an all-time high, and 'Battle Of Galwan' would be an ideal flick to watch in this period.”
An official announcement on the revised release date is expected soon.
The source said, “After this schedule gets over, a few more days of shooting are left, and by February-end, it’ll be a wrap.”
Director Apoorva Lakhia will then edit the new footage. The film will also be screened for the Ministry of Defense, a process expected to take time.
A source summed up Salman Khan’s approach, saying, “Salman Khan is clear that such a special, patriotic film needs to be nurtured well. He has told the team of the film that they should not rush through the process and take their time in ensuring that the final product looks appealing, compelling, and cinematic.”
(Source: TOI)
Salman was seated in the audience during the RSS centenary programme when Bhagwat made the remark. Videos and photographs from the event have been widely shared, drawing attention to the actor’s calm and candid reaction.
‘Salman Khan ji kya pehen te hai…’
While addressing the gathering, Mohan Bhagwat spoke about fashion, influence, and role models in society, using Salman Khan as a real-world example.“Salman Khan ji kya pehen te hai, college vidyarthi waese pehente hai. Kyun pehen rahe hai? ‘Unhone pehna hai isliye.’ Unhone kyun pehna hai? ‘Maloon nahi,’” Bhagwat said. (What Salman Khan wears, college students do the same. Why do they do it? Because he is wearing it. Why is he wearing it? I don’t know.)
He further said, “Sabhi baaton mein aesa, acchi baat buri baat, fashion se hi chalta hai. Fashion utpanna karne waale log hote hai woh samaajh k vishwas paatra, shrestha, keerteemaan, aese log hote hai...” (It's the same in every matter, good or bad, everything is driven by fashion. Those who create fashion in society are considered trustworthy, excellent and accomplished.)
As Bhagwat spoke, Salman listened attentively. Cameras captured him smiling briefly, a moment that later became a talking point online.
Why the remark resonated online
Soon after clips from the event surfaced, social media users echoed Bhagwat’s observations. Many pointed out that Salman Khan has influenced youth culture for decades, especially among college-going fans.Several users recalled how his fitness-driven image in the 1990s and early 2000s inspired young men to take up bodybuilding. Others mentioned his signature fashion moments — from towel dance sequences and ripped denims to shirts tied around the waist — styles that were widely copied at the time. His firoza bracelet also came up repeatedly in online discussions, with fans noting how it turned into a trend among admirers.
Inside the RSS centenary event
The remarks were made during the RSS’s centenary celebrations, marked by a two-day lecture series titled 100 Years of Sangh Journey: New Horizons. The event took place at the Nehru Centre Auditorium in Mumbai and concluded on Sunday.Apart from Salman Khan, several Bollywood personalities attended the event, including Akshay Kumar, Pritam, Raveena Tandon, Ananya Panday and Karan Johar. Salman attended the programme on Saturday.
Salman Khan’s upcoming film plans
On the work front, Salman Khan is set to star in Battle of Galwan, directed by Apoorva Lakhia. The film is based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between India and China, in which 20 Indian soldiers lost their lives. Chitrangada Singh has been cast opposite Salman in the film.The actor was last seen in Sikandar (2025), an action drama directed by AR Murugadoss, which also featured Rashmika Mandanna, Kajal Aggarwal, Sharman Joshi and Sathyaraj.
‘Battle of Galwan’ release pushed
Battle of Galwan, initially scheduled for an April 17 release, has now reportedly been postponed. According to the report, the film will release later this year.A source quoted by TOI said, “It’ll now release on August 14, 2026.”
Explaining the timing, the source added, “Salman Khan and the makers are of the opinion that it would be a better date since India’s Independence Day falls on August 15. The patriotic sentiment will be at an all-time high, and 'Battle Of Galwan' would be an ideal flick to watch in this period.”
An official announcement on the revised release date is expected soon.
Galwan movie's shooting still underway
The report also said that filming for Battle of Galwan is yet to be completed. A week-long shoot is scheduled at Mumbai’s Golden Tobacco Factory starting Monday, February 9.The source said, “After this schedule gets over, a few more days of shooting are left, and by February-end, it’ll be a wrap.”
Director Apoorva Lakhia will then edit the new footage. The film will also be screened for the Ministry of Defense, a process expected to take time.
A source summed up Salman Khan’s approach, saying, “Salman Khan is clear that such a special, patriotic film needs to be nurtured well. He has told the team of the film that they should not rush through the process and take their time in ensuring that the final product looks appealing, compelling, and cinematic.”
(Source: TOI)
