Saqib Saleem, who is currently promoting his latest release Crime Beat alongside Saba Azad, recently opened up about facing harsh criticism after Race 3, his 2018 action thriller with Salman Khan, directed by Remo D’Souza. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, he shared how the overwhelming negativity affected him and how he eventually moved forward.
Reflecting on the difficult phase following Race 3, Saqib shared that he had mostly been fortunate in avoiding negative reviews, except for that particular film. He recalled how life felt drastically different at the time, as he would wake up to harsh criticism daily, which left him feeling unsettled. While he hesitated to label himself as depressed, he admitted that the negativity affected him deeply, putting him in a state of emotional distress.
The actor further described how the criticism weighed on him. “When you read so many negative things about you, it can get to you. You start to question your ability. I remember waking up in the morning, and I had a quilt at home. I just didn’t wanna get out of it for days. For three days, I was inside that quilt. My food was served. I used to eat but not get out of my room. For three days, I was sulking.”
Despite the rough phase, one particular review made him reassess his outlook. “I remember one interview from Anupama Chopra—she was at Film Companion at that time. Of course, the review really said what she felt about the film, but then she wrote something like, ‘The ever-reliable Saqib Saleem is restricted to hamming and adding bro after every sentence.’”
Rather than letting the criticism weigh him down, Saqib decided to focus on the positive. He repeatedly read the review and fixated on the phrase “The usually reliable Saqib Saleem,” which shifted his perspective. This made him realize the importance of finding optimism in every situation. He understood that a single film or performance could not define his talent, as artistic work is subject to varied interpretations. Accepting that not every project would be received as intended, he chose to embrace resilience and move forward.
The actor now looks at that phase as a learning experience. “That episode taught me that some people like your work, and some don’t. You can either sulk all day or go knocking on doors asking, ‘Where’s my next opportunity?’ I’d rather do that.”
With Crime Beat receiving attention, Saqib has left behind the ghosts of Race 3 and is focused on what lies ahead. He was also seen in a negative role in Raj and DK’s web series Citadel: Honey Bunny starring Varun Dhawan and Samantha Ruth Prabhu in the lead.
