Salman Khan on self-talk: 'If I give you advice the way I speak to myself, you would hate me'

During an open conversation with his nephew Arhaan Khan, who is the son of Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora, and his friends on the Dumb Biryani podcast, Salman Khan talked about the responsibility that comes with being the head of the family. Though it may be hard to take, he pondered, a family's guidance is always based on a wish to see loved ones thrive. Based on his personal experiences with his father, Salim Khan, Salman said that he had trouble understanding his father's advice at first, but that he eventually understood that the veteran screenwriter was just trying to help him.

Salman Khan on learning from his father, Salim Khan

Respect the head of the family, the superstar continued, because no one cares if they fail or are going through tough times, whether they are a member of the family or someone they love. Thus, they may inform the person that, similar to Salman's experience with his father in the past, they will be told, "Don't do this," "You'll get screwed," "Don't do this," and so on. So, his issue with his dad back then was that he couldn't understand how Salim could be correct when Salman was completely mistaken. And that was the most important thing for the superstar to alter.

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Salman also said that he is very hard on himself when it comes to offering advice, but that he also knows that different people require various forms of encouragement. Some people require affirmation, some require constructive criticism, and some require harsh candour. He added that knowing when to be direct and when to be kind is key to clearly supporting someone.

Salman Khan's approach to giving advice

So, if Salman were to provide others advice today—the kind of advice he gives to himself—they would despise him, because he is quite critical of himself. In both Hindi and English, he has confrontational conversations with himself, saying things like, "Ke upar waale ne saaley tujhe itna kuch diya hai, and this is what you are doing?" (The one above has given you so much, and this is what you are doing?)—but he is now that person.

Salman will alienate everyone if he continues to talk to them in the same manner. When it comes to someone else, one has to ask themselves, "Will that person want encouragement?" Or does that individual desire affirmation? Would he prefer gentle falsehoods or the truth presented straight to him? They may reassure them by saying, "No, no, everything is going to be okay." Then gradually let them believe it.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Salman will next be seen in Sikandar, releasing during the Eid 2025 weekend.

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