Snehashish roy
Salman Khan recently raised eyebrows when he danced with Tamannaah Bhatia to the romantic hit “Dil Diyan Gallan” during his Da-Bangg Tour Reloaded concert. The moment, captured in video clips that quickly spread across social media, sparked an outpouring of amusement, nostalgia — and a fair share of criticism from netizens who called the performance “cringe pro max.”
The incident played out during the tour’s stop in Dubai, where Salman shared the stage with Tamannaah, Sonakshi Sinha, Sunil Grover and others. Footage shows the two moving to the melody, smiling and matching steps. (Reports confirm he performed several of his chartbusters at the show, including “O O Jaane Jaana” and “Dil Diyan Gallan.”
To many fans, the dance offered a sweet, somewhat nostalgic touch. The song, originally from Tiger Zinda Hai, carries sentimental weight with audiences — and the casual duet felt like a throwback to simpler, romantic concert moments. For some, watching Salman groove with Tamannaah was akin to witnessing a familiar Bollywood fantasy, live on stage.
However, not everyone was impressed. Online, viewers slammed the performance as awkward and over-the-top. Many ridiculed the age gap and the public display, calling the interaction “uncomfortable” or even “cringe.” One recurring sentiment in reactions was that, at this stage in his career, grand romantic gestures don’t always land the way they might have two decades ago.
View this post on Instagram
Some critics also questioned whether these concert duets are genuine tributes or just PR fodder. With high production tours, elaborate sets and choreographed routines, are such moments spontaneous or staged? In this case, detractors suggested that fans are being sold on spectacle rather than sincerity.
Backstage, Tamannaah seemed to enjoy herself. She later shared behind-the-scenes photos from the tour on Instagram, including shots with the “Bhaijaan” himself rehearsing the number. Her presence on the tour is well-documented — she’s part of the official lineup for the Da-Bangg Reloaded show.
Salman, known for his stage presence and charm, responded to the criticism with trademark humour at a pre-show press conference. He joked that he rehearses extensively for these tour performances and admitted to being more nervous about his dance than his dialogues.
Still, this moment added another chapter to the ongoing debate over how aging superstars should navigate live shows: when does energy feel vibrant, and when does it feel like nostalgia stretched too thin? In the age of celebrity tours, fans often crave moments of connection — but not all of them land equally for every audience.
Some defend Salman’s performance. They say that as long as he’s doing what he loves and entertaining his loyal fans, a little cringe is inevitable — and perhaps forgivable. After all, doing live shows for millions around the world means balancing boldness with theatrics.
Others argue it’s time to rethink the formula. Rather than leaning heavily on romantic duets from past hits, maybe the next tours can focus more on fresh content, personal stories or unexpected collaborations. The idea is not to abandon tradition, but to evolve it in a way that honors growth — both theirs and their audience’s.
For now, the video of Salman and Tamannaah dancing to “Dil Diyan Gallan” remains a trending moment — a mix of admiration, irony and debate. Whether fans saw love, nostalgia, or a cringe-fest, it highlighted one thing clearly: even big moments on big stages can feel very personal. And in the glitter of the Da-Bangg Tour, not every light shines the same for everyone.