Nikkhil Advani's heartfelt tribute to Salman Khan: 'He put his hand on my shoulder'
Synopsis
Nikkhil Advani's tribute to Salman Khan is more than a warm social media post — it's a window into a 20-year friendship built on quiet loyalty. After a private screening of The Revolutionaries at Galaxy, Advani credited Salman with pulling him out of a dark professional period, and says the superstar showed up again two decades on to offer the same support.
Key Takeaways
Nikkhil Advani posted a heartfelt tribute to Salman Khan on Tuesday, 16 September 2026 .
Advani recalled that Salman's personal support during a difficult career phase was pivotal — and that the actor showed up again 20 years later when Nikkhil wanted to share his new work.
Salman Khan hosted a private screening of The Revolutionaries at his Galaxy residence, with Bhuvan Bam also in attendance.
Their professional association dates to 2007 's Salaam-e-Ishq , and continued with Hero in 2015 .
Nikkhil's directorial credits include Kal Ho Naa Ho , D-Day , and Vedaa , with TV work spanning Rocket Boys and Freedom at Midnight .
Filmmaker Nikkhil Advani penned a heartfelt tribute to superstar Salman Khan on Tuesday night, recalling how the actor stood by him during one of the darkest chapters of his career and, two decades later, continued to offer that same steadying presence.
The Emotional Note
In a caption accompanying two photographs posted on social media, Nikkhil wrote: 'When I needed him the most he called and put his hand on my shoulder. Suddenly everything seemed not to be so dark anymore. 20 yrs later, when I was proud about the work that I have done and wanted to show it to him, he once again put his hand on my shoulder. I am forever grateful @beingsalmankhan #TheRevolutionaries @bhuvan.bam22.'
The first photograph showed Salman with his arm around Nikkhil's neck — a visual shorthand for what the filmmaker described as a deeply personal 'bro-code'. The second image was taken at a recent private screening of their latest collaboration, The Revolutionaries.
The Galaxy Screening
The post followed a private viewing hosted by Salman Khan at his Galaxy residence in Mumbai, where he screened The Revolutionaries alongside Nikkhil and actor-creator Bhuvan Bam. Bhuvan had earlier shared photographs from the event, writing: 'Revolutionaries dil mein aate hain, dimaag mein nahi. Watched the show with @beingsalmankhan at his house. A huge thank you to our captain @nikkhiladvani for trusting me with this project and taking The Revolutionaries all the way to Galaxy. Quite literally.'
A Bond Spanning Two Decades
The Advani–Khan professional association stretches back to 2007, when Nikkhil directed the multi-starrer romantic drama Salaam-e-Ishq. The film featured Salman alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Akshaye Khanna, John Abraham, Vidya Balan, and Govinda, among others.
Their collaboration continued with Hero in 2015, which Nikkhil directed and Salman co-produced. The film marked the acting debuts of Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty. According to Nikkhil, Salman was closely involved in the project's casting, music, and edit.
Nikkhil Advani's Larger Body of Work
Beyond his projects with Salman, Nikkhil has directed films including Kal Ho Naa Ho, Chandni Chowk to China, Patiala House, D-Day, Katti Batti, and Vedaa. On the production side, he was associated with Airlift, while his television credits span Mumbai Diaries, Rocket Boys, and Freedom at Midnight. With The Revolutionaries, the filmmaker appears to be entering a new creative chapter — one he clearly wanted his oldest collaborator to see first.
Point of View
A director publicly crediting a superstar for emotional support — not just a hit film — is genuinely rare. Advani's note lands differently because it's specific and unguarded, naming a 'dark' period rather than offering the usual industry platitudes. Notably, the tribute doubles as organic promotion for The Revolutionaries, a project Salman watched privately before any wide launch — suggesting the marketing is as carefully curated as the sentiment. The Salman–Advani axis, dormant for nearly a decade after Hero, appears to be reactivating on Nikkhil's strongest creative run yet in OTT.
NationPress
16 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Nikkhil Advani post a tribute to Salman Khan?
Nikkhil Advani posted a heartfelt note after Salman Khan hosted a private screening of The Revolutionaries at his Galaxy residence in Mumbai. In the caption, Advani recalled how Salman's personal support during a difficult phase in his career made 'everything seem not so dark anymore', and expressed gratitude for the actor's continued presence 20 years on.
What is The Revolutionaries that Salman Khan screened at Galaxy?
The Revolutionaries is a project directed by Nikkhil Advani featuring Bhuvan Bam, which was screened privately at Salman Khan's Galaxy residence ahead of its wider release. Bhuvan Bam described it as a show that 'comes from the heart', and credited Advani for trusting him with the project.
What films have Nikkhil Advani and Salman Khan worked on together?
The two first collaborated on the 2007 multi-starrer Salaam-e-Ishq, which featured an ensemble cast including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Anil Kapoor, and John Abraham. They worked together again on Hero in 2015, which Nikkhil directed and Salman co-produced, and which marked the debuts of Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty.
Who is Bhuvan Bam and what is his role in The Revolutionaries?
Bhuvan Bam is an actor and digital creator who features in The Revolutionaries, helmed by Nikkhil Advani. He attended the private Galaxy screening and posted his own tribute, thanking Advani for 'trusting me with this project and taking The Revolutionaries all the way to Galaxy'.
What are Nikkhil Advani's other notable works?
Nikkhil Advani has directed films including Kal Ho Naa Ho, Chandni Chowk to China, Patiala House, D-Day, Katti Batti, and Vedaa. As a producer he was associated with Airlift, and his television work includes Mumbai Diaries, Rocket Boys, and Freedom at Midnight.
