Salman Khan compares TV journey with Amitabh Bachchan, credits 'Dus Ka Dum' for image revival
Synopsis
Salman Khan’s candid 'Bigg Boss 20' revelation that 'Dus Ka Dum' — a show he nearly turned down amid a hostile media storm — was the single episode that ‘cleared’ his public image, draws a rarely-made direct comparison with how KBC transformed Amitabh Bachchan’s career, underscoring how Indian reality television has become a reputation-reset tool for Bollywood’s biggest names.
Key Takeaways
Salman Khan revealed on 'Bigg Boss 20' that 'Dus Ka Dum' was a career and image turning point, especially during a period of intense negative media coverage.
He drew a direct parallel with Amitabh Bachchan , saying 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' similarly revived Big B’s career and gave him a new public identity.
Salman said his father, screenwriter Salim Khan , convinced him to accept the 'Dus Ka Dum' offer despite his initial reluctance.
He noted that the show made audiences see him as a person rather than an actor, overshadowing films like 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' and 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' in public memory.
Since 'Dus Ka Dum' , Salman has hosted 'Bigg Boss' for 17 consecutive seasons .
Bollywood actor Salman Khan has drawn a striking parallel between his own television journey and that of screen legend Amitabh Bachchan, revealing on 4 October 2026 how the game show 'Dus Ka Dum' served as a defining turning point in his career at a time when his public image was under sustained pressure.
A Candid Moment on Bigg Boss 20
Speaking during the 'Weekend Ka Vaar' segment of 'Bigg Boss 20', Salman opened up about the personal and professional difficulties he was navigating when the offer for 'Dus Ka Dum' first arrived. He admitted that he was initially reluctant to accept the show, given the hostile media environment surrounding him at the time. It was his father, celebrated screenwriter Salim Khan, who persuaded him to take the plunge.
The Bachchan Parallel
Salman explicitly compared his experience to that of Amitabh Bachchan, noting how 'Kaun Banega Crorepati' (KBC) gave Big B a fresh public identity and revitalised his career at a moment when it, too, needed a reset. “The same thing happened with Mr Bachchan. The day he did KBC, he became Kaun Banega Crorepati uncle. So, they forgot all my film work and only remembered Dus Ka Dum,” Salman said during the episode. “My image in the media was cleared in one episode. There were ups and downs after that as well, but you have to show who you truly are,” he added.
How the Media Climate Almost Derailed the Show
Salman recalled the atmosphere that nearly caused him to walk away from the opportunity altogether. “I wasn’t going to do it because there was so much being talked about against me. Every newspaper and TV channel was thrashing me left, right and center. I spoke to my father about it and asked for advice,” he shared. The decision to go ahead ultimately reframed how audiences perceived him — not as a film star, but as a person.
From Actor to a Familiar Face on Screen
Salman noted that the show had an unexpected effect on his filmography’s legacy. “Everyone forgot 'Maine Pyaar Kiya', 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun', 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Karan Arjun', and all my other films. They just watched me on Dus Ka Dum because they didn’t see an actor; they saw a person,” he explained. This shift — from curated star persona to perceived authenticity — is what he credits for rebuilding public trust.
Seventeen Seasons and Counting
Following his two seasons on 'Dus Ka Dum', Salman went on to host 'Bigg Boss' for an unbroken run of 17 seasons, cementing his status as one of Indian television’s most enduring presences. His ongoing role as host of 'Bigg Boss 20' continues that association, with the current season drawing considerable viewer attention.
Point of View
Not an actor’ is precisely the parasocial reset that reality and game formats are uniquely positioned to deliver. For Bollywood’s top tier, prime-time television has become the new rehabilitation circuit, and the Salman-Bigg Boss franchise — now at 17 seasons — is the longest-running proof of concept. The question worth asking is whether the format still carries the same image-repair power in an era of social-media scrutiny that is far more persistent than newspaper cycles.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Salman Khan almost not do 'Dus Ka Dum'?
Salman Khan was reluctant to take on 'Dus Ka Dum' because he was facing intense negative coverage from newspapers and television channels at the time. It was his father, screenwriter Salim Khan, who advised him to accept the offer.
How did 'Dus Ka Dum' change Salman Khan’s public image?
'Dus Ka Dum' allowed audiences to see Salman as a person rather than a film star, which he says helped clear his media image within a single episode. He noted that the show’s impact was so strong that it momentarily overshadowed his major film hits in public memory.
How does Salman Khan’s TV journey compare to Amitabh Bachchan’s?
Salman Khan drew a direct parallel between his experience on 'Dus Ka Dum' and Amitabh Bachchan’s reinvention through 'Kaun Banega Crorepati', saying both shows gave audiences a fresh, more personal view of the stars at critical moments in their careers.
How many seasons of 'Bigg Boss' has Salman Khan hosted?
Salman Khan has hosted 'Bigg Boss' for 17 seasons following his two seasons on 'Dus Ka Dum'. He is currently hosting 'Bigg Boss 20'.
What did Salman Khan say during 'Bigg Boss 20' Weekend Ka Vaar?
During the 'Weekend Ka Vaar' segment of 'Bigg Boss 20', Salman Khan spoke about how 'Dus Ka Dum' rebuilt his public image during a difficult phase, compared his trajectory to Amitabh Bachchan’s, and credited his father Salim Khan for persuading him to take on the show.
