APJ Abdul Kalam inspired Salman Khan’s iconic ‘Tere Naam’ hairstyle: Here’s the proof of how much the actor admired India’s Missile Man

Salman Khan's appearance in the 2003 blockbuster, 'Tere Naam,' ignited a massive fashion trend across India. His distinctive long hair, parted in the middle, became a style sensation, prompting fans to flock to salons in an attempt to replicate the look. However, years after the film's release, the actor unveiled the surprising source of inspiration behind his famous hairstyle: none other than the former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

Inspired by India's Missile Man

In a surprising revelation on 'The Great Indian Kapil Sharma Show Season 3', Salman Khan shared with host Kapil Sharma that his 'Tere Naam' hairstyle was, in fact, inspired by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He also mentioned that actor Rahul Roy sported a similar hairstyle in one of his films.

For 'Tere Naam', Salman believed that the long hair perfectly embodied the image of a small-town hero. He elaborated, "I thought that small-town heroes always had long hair. All the old-school heroes had it too – that’s where the inspiration came from."

Salman's Deep Respect for Dr. Kalam

Salman Khan's admiration for Dr. Kalam extended beyond mere hairstyle inspiration. Following Dr. Kalam's passing in 2015, Salman expressed his heartfelt respect in a series of tweets.

He wrote, "I will miss Kalam saab. India will miss him."

Calling him a role model, Salman Khan also tweeted, "Kalam saab was an amazing teacher and in his last tweet he said he is on his way to IIM... as scientist and as President, Kalam saab was a true inspiration for many generations of Indians.”

In another emotional tweet, Salman shared his regret of never meeting Kalam, “When your heart says you should meet someone, don't delay. I always wanted to meet Kalam saab and I should have made the effort. My loss.”

Salman's decision to style his hair after Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was more than just a creative choice; it was a subtle homage to a man he deeply admired. While the hairstyle became a trend, its origin stemmed from genuine respect and admiration.