Hair now, gone tomorrow?

Komal Nahta

Is Salman Khan's popularity on the wane? Or is it the lack of publicity as compared to other recent Salman starrers which is responsible for a dull opening of Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye?

Or maybe it is a combination of the two?

Salman's career has been on the downslide for almost two years now.

Except for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Biwi No 1 (which was a huge hit only in Bombay, Gujarat and overseas circuits) and Hum Saath-Saath Hain, his other starrers have been bombing at the BO.

Jaanam Samjha Karo flopped in April 1999, followed by Hello Brother. Chal Mere Bhai failed to take off. Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge barely managed to break even in some territories. Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega's flying start was about the only silver lining to the film's overall below-par box-office performance.

This week Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye opened to a lukewarm response in Bombay but received an unenthusiastic reception in Delhi and towns like Khandwa (C P Berar).

This is a clear indication that Salman's fan-following has considerably reduced in number. For every shirt that Salman takes off in a film, he might be losing hoards of fans, going by the rapid rate at which his films are failing.

His senseless antics on the screen and his receding hairline are also contributing to this otherwise handsome hunk's declining popularity.

In the case of KPNHJ, the lack of time given by Venus for the film's music to grow in popularity has also gone against the initial collection. In spite of the exciting numbers in the film's album, the music hasn't caught on.

Whatever the reason, the dull initial of KPNHJ, signals danger for Salman. Losing shirt after shirt in his films is one matter, losing popularity is quite another!