Master Raju Reveals Salman Khan's Emotional Nature and Blackbuck Case Stress
In a candid revelation, Salman Khan's long-time friend and fellow actor Raju Shreshtha, popularly known as Master Raju, has shared intimate details about the superstar's emotional personality and the immense stress he faced during the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. Speaking in a recent interview, Raju painted a picture of Salman as a man driven by his heart rather than calculation, often struggling to control his emotions in public situations.
Childhood Bond in Bandra Predates Film Career
Raju emphasized that his friendship with Salman Khan began long before either of them entered the film industry. "I know Salman Khan much before Baaghi. We come from the same area. We both come from Bandra," he revealed. The two grew up together in the Mumbai suburb, sharing simple childhood moments that formed the foundation of their lifelong bond.
"We used to cycle together," Raju recalled with nostalgia. "When he was doing Patthar Ke Phool, before shooting, he used to practice skating at Bandstand. I used to cycle and he used to hold on to the carrier and practice skating." These early memories highlight the ordinary beginnings of what would become an extraordinary film career for Salman Khan.
Friendship From Humble Beginnings
Raju, who began his acting career as a child artist, stressed that their friendship existed when Salman was still unknown in the industry. "Me and Salman are friends from the time when people used to say that see Master Raju is standing and some boy is also standing next to him. So, I am friends with him from the time he was nothing," he stated matter-of-factly.
Despite Salman's eventual superstardom, Raju maintained that the actor's fundamental nature remained unchanged. "He has been very nice and kind and very misunderstood. He is a very nice man," Raju asserted, adding that Salman later helped him secure roles in films like Baaghi and Chal Mere Bhai.
How Fame Changed Their Dynamic
The actor revealed how Salman's rise to stardom inevitably altered their friendship dynamics. "When Salman Khan became the Salman Khan... earlier, I used to call him, 'Salman tu' and then I started calling him, 'Bhai aap'," Raju explained. This shift in address reflected the changing power dynamics between the childhood friends.
When Salman questioned the change, Raju responded pragmatically: "You have become a mega star and if I call you Salman tu, then you will tell Shera not to let me in the next time and push me out of the room because you will feel I am insulting you." Raju also acknowledged that their relationship had to adapt to public perception, noting that "If I now go and be on his set and in his house for all the time, people will call me his chamcha."
Severe Stress During Blackbuck Poaching Case
One of the most revealing aspects of Raju's interview concerned Salman Khan's emotional state during the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. According to Raju, the actor was under tremendous pressure during this period, which coincided with the filming of Chal Mere Bhai.
"Yes, he was stressed, but on the face of it, he was not showing. But the environment around him was stressful," Raju disclosed. He elaborated on the financial burden the legal battle imposed: "There was a time when a major chunk of Salman's money was going in court case and hiring big lawyers."
Raju further revealed that Salman had confided in him about the case's impact: "He had told me that a lot of his earnings were going into this. He has always said that he is innocent and to prove that he had to spend so much money and go through so much stress. He told me he didn't want to do all this."
Emotional Volatility and Heart-Driven Nature
Describing Salman's personality, Raju emphasized his emotional nature and lack of calculation. "He was funny, he never thought before saying anything, and he never used to think much before making friends. He is clean at heart," Raju said. "He was not calculative or manipulative. He is a very easy person and that is why he has often been caught in controversies."
Raju also addressed Salman's emotional volatility in relationships, stating: "Salman has never had control over his emotions. Sometimes he would go and hurl abuses while standing under somebody's building. He shouted while standing under his ex-girlfriend's building, he would beat up someone, so he didn't control his emotions."
Despite these outbursts, Raju defended his friend's character: "He is a very sweet man. He doesn't work from mind. He works from his heart." This heart-driven approach to life, according to Raju, explains both Salman's genuine nature and his tendency to find himself in controversial situations.
The revelations provide a rare glimpse into the personal struggles of one of Bollywood's biggest stars, showing how fame, legal battles, and emotional nature have shaped both Salman Khan's public persona and private relationships over decades.
