Bads of Bollywood: Salman Khan’s Wanted Is Toxic Masculinity Masquerading As Masala Entertainer

Presenting Bads of Bollywood! No, we’re not talking about Aryan Khan’s much-hyped Netflix show! In this weekly segment, we take a deep dive into Hindi films that once dominated the box office but, with time, have become hard to sit through. These are the movies that, while commercially successful during their release, now feel outdated, awkward, or even unintentionally funny. For our inaugural edition, we turn the spotlight on Salman Khan’s Wanted, a film that, when it came out, was hailed as a mass entertainer and celebrated for its action sequences and chart-topping music. However, revisiting it today, the nostalgia is quickly overshadowed by cringeworthy moments. What once thrilled audiences now highlights the dated filmmaking style and exaggerated

performances. Wanted serves as a perfect example of how time can change our perception of even the biggest Bollywood hits, reminding us that not every blockbuster ages gracefully.ALSO READ: Bollywood Dil Se: Shah Rukh Khan Ran Straight Into My Heart From That Bridge - Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Tum Nahin Samjhoge Remember when we were young and thought Salman Khan's Wanted was one of his best works? Well, the actioner completes 16 years tomorrow, and we decided to rewatch it ahead of its anniversary. The iconic entry of IPS Rajveer Shekhawat in uniform and Prakash Raj's unforgettable performance as Gani Bhai may still pack the same punch, but the movie’s love story has aged like milk.Salman romances the gorgeous Ayesha Takia in the film, helmed by choreographer-director Prabhu Deva. But he doesn’t just meet and fall in love with her at first sight. For some reason, her camera footage is being played on a TV set at a store where our Radhe happens to be. Logic? Zero.These little flaws might be forgivable, but it’s their overall relationship that’s almost embarrassing to watch.Wanted is a cocktail of over-the-top action, problematic dialogues, and double-meaning jokes that no longer land the way they used to. One particular scene has Salman telling Ayesha, “Kutta paal lena, lekin ladki mat paalna.” This comes right after he gaslights her into forgiving a blatant lie, calling it a “chhota sa jhoot.” As if that wasn’t enough, he turns to his friend and says, “Isko jaane ko bol na.” So not only does he lie, he insults her in front of his buddies and dismisses her like she’s an inconvenience. But of course, this is just Bollywood’s way of dressing up toxic masculinity as cool lover-boy swagger.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq32VAYT0BI

ALSO READ: From A Gen Z Girl's Lens: Is Amitabh - Rekha -Jaya's Iconic Love Story Silsila Still A 'Yes'? Released in 2009, the action thriller was a major success at the box office, earning around Rs 93 crore (about $11 million) worldwide and was officially declared a HIT. A remake of the Telugu hit Pokiri, it played a key role in re-establishing Salman as one of Bollywood’s top action heroes. Audiences loved the movie for its high-energy action scenes, catchy music, and strong performances from the cast. It showcased Bhaijaan in a new avatar, combining style, power, and charisma, which helped cement his mass appeal. The storyline, centred around crime, romance, and suspense, kept viewers hooked from start to finish. Even years later, it is remembered by fans.While it may have revived Salman’s career and delivered some punchy one-liners back in the day, in today’s world, the film’s regressive messaging, casual misogyny, and hyper-masculine posturing make it hard to sit through, let alone enjoy. Not to mention the absurd plot twists, unintentionally funny action sequences, and dialogues that make zero sense. (Ek baar jo maine commitment kar di, toh…) Revisiting Wanted in 2025 feels like opening a time capsule filled with flying goons, chest-thumping heroism, and lines that now sound straight out of a WhatsApp forward. This is the kind of film that screams 2009 Bollywood machismo. It's loud, flashy, and blissfully unaware of how cringe it looks in hindsight. Watch Wanted in 2025 only if you’re a Salman Khan loyalist!