Entertainment

‘Salman Khan sat through my standing ovation, then offered me Jai Ho’: Yash Tonk | Bollywood News

5 min readMumbaiJun 3, 2026 12:19 PM IST

Actor Yash Tonk has been in the industry for over two and a half decades now. While he has been a celebrated name in the Indian TV circuit, Yash actually started his career in the movies. In fact, for a long time, Yash also juggled films and TV shows; however, his career didn’t quite take off on the big screen. His last outing on the big screen was in 2019 in Kangana Ranaut’s Manikarnika. Recently, in a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Yash revisited his films and also spoke about the amazing bond he shares with Salman Khan.

Yash Tonk on Fight Club’s failure

During the conversation, the Kahin Kissi Roz actor said that he was always unhinged about the TV actor tag. Even when his films didn’t work, he was reminded that he was predominantly a small-screen actor. Recalling one such criticism after his 2006 film Fight Club failed, Yash said, “Everybody has their opinion; you cannot make everyone happy.”

Also Read: Maatrubhumi gets first review: Subhash Ghai calls Salman Khan’s film a ‘must watch’

He further shared his ‘paisa-vasool moment’ back then, and said, “Fight Club didn’t exactly work the way they were expecting it to. As a concept, the film didn’t have acceptance in India; however, I got a positive response for the film. I enjoyed working on the film; it was my first film with Sohail in their production. During the film’s trial, Salman Khan was also invited, and we hadn’t interacted much. The screening happened at Rajendra Kumar’s studios in Bandra. When the film ended, all the cast stood up and clapped for my character; I felt very proud. Salman Bhai was sitting throughout, but that’s him; only his presence is enough. However, he liked my performance, which is why he gave me two films after that – Main Aur Mrs Khanna and Jai Ho.”

Yash Tonk on equation with Salman Khan

Talking about his bond with Salman Khan, Yash further added, “I like his company; who doesn’t want to be with him. I have been to his house, his farmhouse. While Sohail is a good friend, Salman bhai is like a big brother; I get his affection, which is more than enough for me. Once during Jai Ho, Sohail was directing, and he had to wake up early the next day. We both were hanging out and decided to hit the bed after one drink. Just then, Sohail got a call that Salman bhai was calling him. My boy also got a call that I was being called too. Sohail started laughing and said, I will have to go. Then we went and partied till late at night; the next day I reached the set on time. Our call time was 7 am, and I was there.”

“I never wanted to give the reason that because I was with Salman bhai, I was late,” Yash said. He also spoke about his journey on television and said he has earned so much from the profession that even if he doesn’t have work for two years, he would be unaffected. Yash was last seen on television in 2023, on the show Dhruv Tara.

As for Salman Khan, the superstar is currently in the news for a legal dispute with the makers of Kala Hiran. According to a report in India Today, Salman Khan has sent a legal notice to the makers seeking immediate removal of posters and other promotional materials related to the film. In the legal notice, Salman Khan has also reportedly alleged that the film is a gross violation of personality rights since the film is supposed to be inspired by the 1998 Blackbuck poaching case. Kala Hiran is directed by Bharata Srinate and produced by Amit Jani. Reacting to the legal notice, Amit Jani took to social media and said, “Salman Khan is intimidating people associated with Kala Hiran with a legal notice. The motive of this notice is that people get scared in the face of his stardom and glamour.”

Salman Khan and his team are yet to officially comment on the matter. Workwise, Salman Khan will be next seen in Maatrubhumi: May War Rest In Peace; the film is slated to release on 14th August 2026.

Nawaz Javed Kochra is a seasoned entertainment journalist at The Indian Express Online, bringing nearly a decade of expertise to the forefront of cultural reporting. With a focus on the television and Over-The-Top (OTT) landscapes, he has established himself as a prominent voice in the industry, known for his high-profile celebrity interviews and insightful coverage of the Indian entertainment sector.
Experience & Career
Nawaz holds a Master of Arts in Communication and Journalism from Mumbai University, providing him with a rigorous academic and ethical foundation. In his 11-year career, he has navigated through several of India’s leading media houses, building a portfolio that spans digital, print, and broadcast media:

The Indian Express: Currently leads coverage of TV and OTT content, producing both written analysis and popular video interview segments.
Former Roles: He began his career at the iconic Stardust Magazine and later held key positions at Zoom TV, Zee Multimedia, MissMalini, Bollywood Bubble, and Raindrop Media.

Expertise & Focus Areas
Nawaz’s beat is characterized by a blend of exclusive access and trend analysis. His core areas of expertise include:

Reality Television: Specialized coverage of major franchises like Bigg Boss, providing behind-the-scenes insights and winner profiles.
OTT Ecosystem: Tracking the shift from traditional cable to digital streaming platforms, with a focus on web series and digital premieres.
Celebrity Profiles & Interviews: Nawaz is celebrated for his ability to foster candid conversations with industry stalwarts, from music composers like Amaal Mallik to other TV legends.
Investigative Entertainment News: Reporting on sensitive industry developments, including legal disputes and personal stories of resilience within the acting community.

Authoritativeness & Trust
With a reputation built on years of networking and credible reporting, Nawaz Kochra is a “known face” in the Mumbai media circuit. His work at The Indian Express adheres to the publication’s “Journalism of Courage” standard, ensuring that even entertainment reporting is approached with accuracy, sensitivity, and transparency. His educational background and extensive tenure across diverse media platforms provide him with the authoritative perspective required to analyze the rapid evolution of Indian show business. … Read More

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button