The red carpet at the Red Sea International Film Festival was rolled out for Salman Khan, the global icon, but what truly caught everyone off guard was what happened once he stepped onto the stage. Surrounded by international stars and a cheering audience, Salman chose not to talk about box-office numbers or decades of stardom. Instead, he turned the spotlight inward, laughing at himself in a way that few expected.
During an on-stage conversation, Salman Khan surprised the audience by downplaying his acting abilities. With his trademark wit, he suggested that he does not consciously try to perform or portray characters in a traditional sense. According to him, he simply reacts based on what he feels in the moment, rather than focusing on technique or craft. The honesty in his words immediately triggered loud protests from the audience, who clearly disagreed with his self-assessment.
The exchange quickly turned playful. When the host checked with the crowd about whether they shared Salman Khan’s view, the response was a unanimous refusal. Feeding off the energy in the room, Salman leaned further into humour and joked that even his emotional scenes might not be taken seriously, hinting that viewers sometimes laugh when he cries on screen. The comment only made the audience more vocal in their support, turning the moment into one of warmth and laughter.
On the red carpet earlier, Salman Khan had spoken about his growing connection with Saudi Arabia. He shared his appreciation for the country, its people and the way the festival brings different cultures together. He mentioned that he enjoys visiting often and values the cultural exchange that such global events create.
Salman Khan also reacted to Alia Bhatt receiving the Golden Globe Horizon Award, calling it a proud and exciting moment. He praised Saudi Arabia for moving quickly on the global cultural stage and for creating platforms that blend international talent with Indian culture.
Adding to the evening’s buzz, Salman Khan was seen interacting with several international stars including Idris Elba, Edgar Ramirez and Olga Kurylenko. By the end of the night, it was clear that beyond the glamour, it was Salman’s candid, self-aware humour that became the festival’s most talked-about moment.
