Salman Khan's appeal lies in connecting with audiences' hearts rather than intellect, resonating strongly with working-class and rural fans who see him as 'bhai'. Unlike peers Aamir and Shah Rukh Khan, he avoids collaborations with top directors or major production houses. Academic Shohini Ghosh notes his traditional fan base often comprises those who haven't benefited from globalization. Khan's persona navigates a tension between his Muslim identity and India's current right-leaning political climate.