Shiva Rajkumar shuts down 'Original Monster' vs Salman's 'Monster' rivalry
Synopsis
Shiva Rajkumar didn't just dismiss the 'Original Monster' versus 'Monster' rivalry — he flipped the script entirely, calling himself and Salman Khan 'one' and floating the idea of sharing screen space in the future. Two pan-Indian action films, one unexpected show of solidarity.
Key Takeaways
Shiva Rajkumar declared 'It's not Shiva vs Salman, we are one' at the 'Original Monster' title launch.
He hinted at a possible future collaboration with Salman Khan . 'Original Monster' is directed by R.
Chandru , produced by Anand Pandit , with music by B.
Salman Khan 's 'Monster' , directed by Vamshi Paidipally , is expected to release by Eid 2027 and marks his first pairing with Nayanthara .
Salman also has 'Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace' in the pipeline, based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash.
Kannada superstar Shiva Rajkumar has put an end to speculation about a box-office rivalry between his upcoming film 'Original Monster' and Salman Khan's 'Monster', declaring at the title launch event that the two projects are entirely different and that there is no 'Shiva vs Salman' contest to speak of.
What Shiva Rajkumar Said
'Salman's Monster and Original Monster — both stories are really different. It's not Shiva vs Salman, we are one,' Shiva Rajkumar said at the title launch of 'Original Monster'. The Sandalwood star went a step further, hinting at a future on-screen collaboration with the Bollywood icon. 'God wishes, we will be working together. Might be Salman and I working together,' he added.
The remarks came amid growing chatter in entertainment circles comparing the two pan-Indian action films, which share a broadly similar title and genre positioning.
About Original Monster
Directed by R. Chandru and produced by Anand Pandit, 'Original Monster' is billed as a pan-Indian action spectacle showcasing Shiva Rajkumar in what the makers describe as his 'fiercest avatar yet.' The motion poster, released on Sunday, depicted the protagonist wielding a blood-soaked weapon amid scenes of chaos. Music for the film is composed by B. Ajaneesh Loknath, with cinematography handled by AJ Shetty.
What We Know About Salman's Monster
Salman Khan's 'Monster' is directed by Vamshi Paidipally and produced by Dil Raju. The pan-India action entertainer is expected to release by Eid 2027. The film marks the first on-screen pairing of Salman Khan and Nayanthara, a collaboration that has generated considerable buzz across both Bollywood and South Indian film industries.
Salman Khan's Broader Lineup
Beyond 'Monster', Salman Khan has a packed slate. He is set to star in Apoorva Lakhia's 'Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace' — formerly titled 'Battle of Galwan' — which dramatises the 2020 Galwan Valley clash between Indian and Chinese troops. The film, produced under the banner of Salman Khan Films, features Chitrangda Singh as the leading lady. Salman is also set to return as host of the popular reality show 'Bigg Boss 20'.
With both 'Original Monster' and 'Monster' targeting pan-Indian audiences, the coming months will reveal whether the two films can coexist at the box office — or whether Shiva Rajkumar's 'we are one' sentiment holds beyond the title-launch stage.
Point of View
Not a release-date clash. Shiva Rajkumar's 'we are one' framing is strategically astute: it neutralises negative comparison and positions the Sandalwood star as a pan-Indian figure comfortable in the same conversation as Bollywood's biggest draw. The hint at a Salman-Shiva collaboration, however casual, is the real headline — a crossover of that scale would be a genuine industry event. Whether it materialises or remains awards-season diplomacy is the question worth tracking.
NationPress
30 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Shiva Rajkumar address the 'Original Monster' vs 'Monster' debate?
Shiva Rajkumar addressed the comparison at the title launch of 'Original Monster' to clarify that the two films have entirely different storylines and that there is no rivalry between him and Salman Khan. He summed it up by saying 'It's not Shiva vs Salman, we are one.'
What is 'Original Monster' about?
'Original Monster' is a pan-Indian action film directed by R. Chandru and produced by Anand Pandit, featuring Shiva Rajkumar in what the makers describe as his fiercest avatar yet. The motion poster released on Sunday showed the protagonist with a blood-soaked weapon amid chaos.
When is Salman Khan's 'Monster' releasing?
Salman Khan's 'Monster', directed by Vamshi Paidipally and produced by Dil Raju, is expected to release by Eid 2027. It will mark the first on-screen collaboration between Salman Khan and Nayanthara.
Did Shiva Rajkumar hint at working with Salman Khan?
Yes. At the 'Original Monster' title launch, Shiva Rajkumar said, 'God wishes, we will be working together. Might be Salman and I working together,' signalling the possibility of a future collaboration, though no project has been officially announced.
What other films does Salman Khan have lined up?
Apart from 'Monster', Salman Khan is set to star in 'Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace' — formerly 'Battle of Galwan' — directed by Apoorva Lakhia, which is based on the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. He is also returning as host of 'Bigg Boss 20'.
