Salman Khan reveals Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was the inspiration behind his iconic Tere Naam look during Season 3 of The Great Indian Kapil Show. The episode also features witty banter about Aamir Khan’s new relationship. Premieres June 21 on Netflix at 8 PM.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan recently appeared as the first guest on the much-anticipated Season 3 of Netflix’s The Great Indian Kapil Show. The episode, which is already creating waves before its official premiere, brought a mix of laughter, nostalgia, and surprising revelations—including the real story behind Salman’s iconic look from the 2003 cult classic Tere Naam.
During his candid chat with host Kapil Sharma, Salman opened up about the origin of the long-haired, melancholic look that became a massive trend among youth in the early 2000s. Many had speculated that the style was just a fashionable choice or based on a dramatic character trope. However, Salman Khan set the record straight during the episode.
In a lighthearted moment, Salman revealed, “Ye jo Tere Naam ka look hai, woh actually inspired tha Abdul Kalam saab se aur uss dauran I think Rahul Roy ka bhi same hairstyle tha. I thought ki jo small town hero hota hai na, unke humesha lambe baal hotey hai. The yesteryear heroes all had long hair, toh waha se ye aaya tha.”
(Translation: The look from the film Tere Naam was actually inspired by Abdul Kalam sir, and at that time, I think Rahul Roy also had the same hairstyle. I thought that all small-town heroes usually had long hair. The yesteryear heroes all had long hair, so that’s where it came from.)
This revelation took fans by surprise. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, India’s former President and beloved scientist, was known for his distinctive, slightly unkempt hairstyle. Salman’s tribute shows an interesting intersection of Bollywood glam and intellectual influence, capturing the spirit of Indian diversity in popular culture.
Salman’s Tere Naam look had sparked a nationwide trend, especially among college students and young men, many of whom adopted the mid-length, center-parted hairstyle. Now, more than two decades later, fans finally know the unexpected source of that influence—India’s ‘Missile Man’.
But that wasn’t the only moment grabbing headlines from the episode. The banter between Salman and Kapil also touched upon another current Bollywood buzz: Aamir Khan’s new relationship.
Kapil, known for his tongue-in-cheek humor, joked, “Aamir Bhai just introduced his fans to his girlfriend. He’s not stopping, but you aren’t even starting!”
To this, Salman Khan quipped with his trademark wit, “Aamir is something else. He’s a perfectionist—he won’t settle down until he perfects marriage itself!”
The laughter-filled episode promises to deliver entertainment and insider gossip in equal measure. As Salman balances nostalgia with his signature humor, audiences are treated to a glimpse of the real man behind the megastar image.
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The Great Indian Kapil Show Season 3 premieres on Netflix this Saturday, June 21, with new episodes airing every Saturday at 8 PM. With a star-studded lineup and Kapil’s unbeatable comic timing, the show is poised to continue its legacy as a weekend favorite for Indian households worldwide.
Whether you’re a fan of Salman’s early 2000s films, Bollywood trivia, or just in it for the laughs, this new season opener is not to be missed. And now, thanks to this unexpected reveal, every time someone re-watches Tere Naam, they’ll think of a Nobel-nominated scientist and a style moment that bridged two worlds in the most unexpected way.
