The directors of the upcoming international action film 7 Dogs have praised Salman Khan for his instinctive understanding of cinema. Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah, the Moroccan-Belgian filmmaking duo known for the Bad Boys franchise, said working with the Bollywood superstar was like attending a film school. They also compared his screen presence to that of Hollywood star Will Smith.
The directors shared their experience in a recent interview with PTI. They spoke about how Salman Khan brought his experience and charisma to the set of 7 Dogs. The film is set to release in India on August 21, 2026.
Directors Compare Salman Khan to Will Smith
Adil El Arbi said Salman Khan has a rare quality that reminds him of Will Smith. He described the feeling of watching Salman perform.
“There’s a lot of charisma. You get the same feeling when Will Smith is on set. It’s like, ‘Oh, that’s what a superstar looks like’. From the moment you put the camera on him, something magical happens.”
Adil explained that Salman Khan understands a scene immediately. The actor does not just follow instructions. He adds his own touch and creates something more.
“He knows right away what the scene is. And he will do it perfectly. And then he will create, he will give you so much more. And that is like going to film school. You’re really witnessing cinema happening before your eyes.”
Bilall Fallah added that Salman Khan’s contribution went beyond the script. He often came up with one-liners during the shoot. These additions sometimes only became clear during editing.
“During editing, when I was looking at the takes, there was always something new that he put in that I didn’t even realize when I was on set. He just makes a scene memorable. Even if it’s just a short moment, he creates something that is pure cinema.”
Sanjay Dutt Also Earns High Praise
The directors also worked with Sanjay Dutt in 7 Dogs. They had equally good things to say about him. Bilall Fallah called Sanjay Dutt a “real artist” and said he developed a close bond with the actor.
“He’s just like a brother. When I was in Mumbai with him, I just fell in love. He showed and took me to the authentic places, and I just fell in love. And I just want to keep on going back to India and just keep on making movies.”
Adil El Arbi praised Sanjay Dutt’s experience in action cinema. He noted that Bollywood action movies are very complex and elaborate. The directors also mentioned they started watching Dutt’s latest film Dhurandhar.
How Salman and Sanjay Got Cast in 7 Dogs
The directors revealed that the casting of Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt was the idea of Turki Alalshikh. He is the chairman of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) and the writer of the film.
“Turki Alalshikh, his Excellency, was the one who came up with the idea and the concept of the movie. It’s like his dream cast. He himself is a big fan of Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt and he proposed these great stars to us.”
The directors said they could not believe it when they learned they could work with these stars. They called the moment “almost too good to be true”.
What Is 7 Dogs About?
7 Dogs is an international action thriller with a budget of nearly $40 million. It brings together actors from India, Egypt, Italy, and Hollywood. The film follows Interpol officer Khalid Al-Azzazi, played by Egyptian actor Ahmed Ezz. He captures Ghali Abu Dawood, played by Karim Abdel Aziz, a senior figure in a criminal organization called Seven Dogs.
The story takes a turn when the syndicate starts trafficking a synthetic drug called Pink Lady. Khalid is forced to work with Ghali to take down the network. Salman Khan plays Johar, an ex-Interpol officer who becomes an ally. Sanjay Dutt plays Ranjeet, the Indian member of the Seven Dogs alliance. The film also features Monica Bellucci and Giancarlo Esposito in key roles.
A Guinness World Record for the Film
7 Dogs has already made history. The film features the largest film stunt explosion ever recorded. The blast was equivalent to 170.7 tonnes of TNT. This record surpassed the previous one held by the James Bond films Spectre and No Time to Die. The film was shot entirely in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, at Al-Hosn Big Time Studios.
Directors Call It a “Blessing” to Work with Indian Stars
Bilall Fallah said working with Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt was a learning experience. He called them legends and said it was a blessing to work with them.
“I learned a lot from them. They’re legends, and they have so much experience, and they carry a perspective of their cinema, and it just as a director, it was a blessing to work with them.”
He also praised their humility and friendly nature on set. The actors would wait while the shot was being set up and were very helpful to the crew. The directors hope to work with them again in the future.
Related:
7 Dogs Release Date and Where to Watch
7 Dogs releases in Indian theatres on August 21, 2026. The film will be available in Hindi and English languages. It is produced by Sela Studios with support from Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority. The film has already opened across the Middle East.
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