September 18, 2009.
If you were a Bollywood fan back then, you remember the vibe. The industry was obsessed with "multiplex movies." Everything was slick, urban, and honestly, a bit disconnected from the average guy on the street. Salman Khan? He was struggling. It’s hard to imagine now, but before 18th September, Salman was coming off a string of massive duds like Yuvvraaj and God Tussi Great Ho. People were writing him off.
Then came wanted hindi movie salman khan and everything—literally everything—shifted.
This wasn't just another Friday release. It was a cultural reset that brought back the "angry young man" energy, but with a modern, stylized twist. Directed by Prabhu Deva, Wanted didn't just make money; it revived the single-screen cinemas that were on the verge of shutting down across India. It proved that the "mass" audience was still the boss.
The Story Behind the Remake
Most people know Wanted is a remake, but the backstory is kinda wild. It’s based on the 2006 Telugu blockbuster Pokiri, which starred Mahesh Babu. Boney Kapoor, the producer, saw the potential early on. But did you know Salman wasn't the first choice?
Boney actually pitched the idea to Shah Rukh Khan first. SRK turned it down, reportedly saying he didn't want to copy Mahesh Babu’s specific style. Their loss was Salman’s gain. It took three pitches from Boney to finally get Salman to watch the original film and say yes.
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The plot is basically Bollywood 101 but executed with lethal precision. Radhe (Salman) is a cold-blooded hitman for hire. He works for Gani Bhai (the legendary Prakash Raj), but he’s got a secret. He falls for Jhanvi (Ayesha Takia), a girl who hates violence. The "big reveal"—that Radhe is actually an undercover IPS officer named Rajveer Shekhawat—is still one of the most satisfying interval twists in Hindi cinema history.
Why Radhe Changed the Game
Salman’s performance in Wanted created a template. He wasn't the chocolate hero "Prem" anymore. He was Radhe.
He didn't get injured. Not even once in the whole movie. He walked through bullets and punches with a smirk and a scarf tied around his wrist. That scarf? It became a national fashion trend overnight.
The Dialogues That Stayed
You’ve heard them. You’ve probably used them.
- "Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di, toh phir main apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta."
- "Mujh par ek ehsaan karna, ki mujh par koi ehsaan mat karna."
These weren't just lines; they were memes before memes were even a thing. They gave Salman a brand of "swag" that defined the next 15 years of his career. Honestly, without Wanted, we probably wouldn't have Dabangg, Bodyguard, or Kick.
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The Numbers and the Impact
Let’s look at the cold hard facts. Wanted was made on a budget of roughly ₹35 crore. It went on to earn over ₹60 crore in India and nearly ₹93 crore worldwide. In 2009, those were massive numbers for an action flick.
While it was the fourth highest-grossing film of the year (behind 3 Idiots, Love Aaj Kal, and Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani), it was number two in terms of "footfalls"—the actual number of tickets sold. Over 1.32 crore people flocked to theaters to see it.
Why Single Screens Loved It
The movie was 70% supported by single-screen theaters. Trade analysts like Taran Adarsh noted at the time that Wanted pulled the industry out of the ICU. It brought back the "Housefull" boards. It made the front-row audience dance again.
Cast and Crew: The Winning Formula
Prabhu Deva’s direction was key. He brought that high-energy South Indian action sensibility to Mumbai. The action, choreographed by Vijayan Master, won a Filmfare Award for a reason. It was brutal but stylish.
And we have to talk about Prakash Raj. He played Gani Bhai with this weird, creepy humor that made him a fan favorite. It was his first big splash in Bollywood, and he’s been a staple ever since. Ayesha Takia provided the heart, though she actually got married during the filming and largely stepped away from movies shortly after.
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Then there’s the music. Sajid-Wajid’s "Jalwa" is still a wedding anthem. The song featured cameos by Govinda, Anil Kapoor, and Prabhu Deva himself, making it a massive event on its own.
The "Wanted" Legacy in 2026
Looking back, Wanted was the spark. It started the "remake era" where Bollywood became obsessed with South Indian action films. It also solidified Salman Khan as the "Eid King."
It wasn't a perfect movie. Critics at the time, like Shubhra Gupta, pointed out the weak plot and the excessive violence. But for the fans, it didn't matter. It was about the experience. It was about seeing a hero be a hero again.
What You Can Do Next
If you're looking to revisit this era of Bollywood, here is how you can dive deeper:
- Watch the Original: Check out Pokiri (2006) on streaming platforms to see how Mahesh Babu's version compares to Salman's. The "undercover" reveal hits differently in both.
- Explore the Soundtrack: Listen to the full Wanted album on Spotify or YouTube. Beyond "Jalwa," tracks like "Dil Leke" and "Love Me Love Me" are great examples of late-2000s Bollywood pop.
- The Prabhu Deva Action Path: If you liked the style of Wanted, watch Rowdy Rathore or R... Rajkumar. They follow the same high-octane "masala" blueprint that Prabhu Deva perfected here.