'Salman Makes A Scene Memorable'

Even if it's just a short moment, he creates something that is pure cinema. IMAGE: A scene from 7 Dogs. Key Points Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah likened working with Salman Khan on 7 Dogs to attending film school, citing his instinctive understanding of cinema. Salman Khan, playing ex-Interpol officer Johar, brought effortless charisma and often improvised one-liners, making scenes memorable. Sanjay Dutt, portraying Ranjeet, an Indian member of the 7 Dogs alliance, impressed the directors with his experience and warmth. Working with Salman Khan on their international action spectacle 7 Dogs was like attending a film school for Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, who say the Indian superstar brought his instinctive understanding of cinema to the project and made even brief moments on screen memorable. The Moroccan-Belgian filmmaking duo, best known for Bad Boys for Life and Bad Boys: Ride or Die, assembled a star-studded global cast for the Saudi Arabian movie, led by Egyptian actors Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz as Interpol officers and criminals who team up against a transnational criminal network. Salman and fellow Indian star Sanjay Dutt have pivotal roles in the movie, alongside renowned Italian actor Monica Bellucci and Hollywood actor Giancarlo Esposito. Adil El Arbi noted Salman’s charisma, comparing it to Hollywood star Will Smith, and his ability to instantly grasp scenes, adding his own creative touch. Salman’s improvisations during filming often resulted in unforeseen moments that enhanced the film’s quality. The Moroccan-Belgian duo also highlighted Sanjay Dutt’s creativity and warmth, describing their collaboration as enjoyable. Bilall Fallah expressed admiration for Sanjay’s artistic depth and the bond they formed during filming in Mumbai. The film’s logline reveals it centers on Interpol officer Khalid Al-Azzazi (Ahmed Ezz) who captures Ghali Abu Dawood (Karim Abdel Aziz), a senior figure in the criminal organization known as 7 Dogs. When the syndicate begins trafficking a synthetic drug called Pink Lady, Khalid must work with Ghali to dismantle the network, leading to conflicts with regional and international figures. Salman Khan plays Johar, an ex-Interpol officer who becomes an unlikely ally in their mission. The filmmakers’ background in Indian cinema is evident, with Bilall Fallah and Adil El Arbi praising Shah Rukh Khan’s My Name Is Khan for its themes of identity and its resonance with their experiences as Moroccans and Muslims in Europe. They also expressed admiration for the creativity of Indian cinema, which they feel remains underrepresented globally. The duo hopes to collaborate with more Indian stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, and envision a follow-up to 7 Dogs if audiences respond positively. 7 Dogs released in Indian theatres in Hindi and English on August 21.