Veteran Bollywood actor Sanjay Khan, who ruled the silver screen in the 1960s and 1970s, recently opened up about how friendships in today’s film industry are fake and shallow. Known for his charming looks and romantic roles, Khan was part of the golden era of Indian cinema. He worked alongside big names like Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, and Jeetendra.
Sanjay Khan is remembered for his roles in classic films like Nagin, Mela, Upasana, and Abdullah. Over time, he made a mark by playing romantic heroes and later moved into historical epics, which helped him stand out during a time filled with talented stars. He also made his name behind the scenes, directing and producing. His son, Zayed Khan, followed in his footsteps and is best known for films like Main Hoon Na and Dus.
In a recent interview with PTI, as reported by Indian Express, Sanjay Khan didn’t hold back when sharing his thoughts about today’s Bollywood scene. He said the industry has lost its charm and class. According to him, the friendships among actors today are just for show.
“The value of friendships among the current reigning lot pains me,” he said. “It is superficial. It’s just to show courtesy. The extra hugs and the taps on the back — you can smell the hypocrisy from one mile away. They don’t have anything in common.”
Khan went on to explain that while the industry had its issues in his time too, things were handled with more grace and respect back then.
“The moment they turn around, they backbite. This is a downside of the film industry,” he said. “In those days, we could say it was like this too, but it had elegance, some class, respect. Now there is naked aggression.”
The actor also pointed out that money has changed the game in Bollywood. He said that during his time, most actors earned roughly the same, which created a sense of equality and unity. But now, with huge pay gaps, politics, and increasing competition, actors have adopted a “dog-eat-dog mentality.”
“In those days, the parity of money was more or less the same,” he said. “Today, with changing times and too much money and politics in films, (there is a) dog-eat-dog mentality.”
Sanjay Khan stepped away from the limelight years ago, especially after surviving a tragic fire accident on the sets of The Sword of Tipu Sultan. He suffered severe third-degree burns and underwent multiple surgeries. Many called his survival a miracle, and he took it as a sign to slow down and focus on recovery and life beyond films.
Even today, Khan’s words echo the thoughts of many industry insiders who feel that Bollywood has lost its soul in the race for fame and money.
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