"I cannot be piggybacking on him all my life"
Bollywood actress Zareen Khan has expressed her gratitude and appreciation to Salman Khan for changing her life, however, she cannot depend on him forever.
Before the lockdown, Zareen was gearing towards her upcoming film, Hum Bhi Akele, Tum Bhi Akele (2020). However, due to the lockdown, the film’s release has been postponed.
Zareen Khan began her Bollywood journey with the help of superstar Salman Khan who she starred alongside in her debut film, Veer (2010).
Since her debut, the actress has gone on to star in numerous Bollywood and Punjabi films.
According to an interview with ETimes, Zareen revealed all about her relationship with Salman Khan. She said:
“Of course, I am in touch with him but you know I do not have a relationship with him where I am constantly messaging him or constantly in touch with him.
“He is s person who has changed my life. I have called him God sent because if it was not for him, I wouldn’t have been a part of this industry because I never ever thought I would want to be part of this industry.
“I also know for a fact that there are thousands of lakhs of people who come to Bombay every day with the dream that they want to be an actor or want to do something in the entertainment industry and their dreams are not fulfilled.
“Then this is me who never had this dream and somehow got an entry in this industry so easily and it was all thanks to Salman.
“That’s a different thing that my struggle started after becoming a part of this industry but I think that man has already done a lot for me.
“I am nobody to him, just some stranger whose life he completely changed and I think I am always going to be grateful for that, for changing my life in such a way.”
Zareen continued to mention how she cannot continue to depend on Salman during her career. She explained:
“That’s it, I cannot be piggybacking on him all my life or all his life to get me work. Whatever he has done for me is more than enough and I am going to be forever grateful.
“I think this is my journey and I am trying to live it, however, I can understand and with whatever is in store for me.
“But yes, he is somebody whom I am forever grateful to. We have a great relationship.”
“I know for a fact that whenever and if I need any help in my life, he is just a phone call or message away.
“So, I am this person actually who does not know how to constantly keep in touch, whether it is Salman or whether it’s my friends from childhood.
“But I am very grateful that I know these people who are always going to be there for me.”
Zareen further added that Salman Khan is the person she would turn to if she needed advice. She said:
“I mean he has been in this industry forever and he has so much experience. But as I said, I am trying to do these little bits of things according to whatever I can understand.
“But yes, when there are times when I am struck and when I cannot understand and I need advice, of course, he is the person I am going to.”