Never mind the long wait. From elderly women to college going students -- hordes of fans queued up outside the capital's Delite Cinema Monday for a glimpse of Bollywood star Salman Khan who came three hours late to open the advance bookings for his film "London Dreams".

"I came to just catch a glimpse of him in person and take his autograph on the ticket, " 60-year-old Naseema Begum told.

Abhishek Yadav wanted to buy the movie tickets from Salman in person. "I have been waiting here since 11 in the morning and don't plan to leave until I have bought a ticket from him, " he said.

Jyotsna Grover, a student of Indraprastha College, was keen to get a hug from her favourite star. "I want his autograph and a picture with him. I am ready to buy all the tickets if I just get to hug him, " said Jyotsna, who came with her friend Upasna Sen.

Clad in a 'Being Human' - his brand - white shirt and tattered blue jeans, the 43-year-old actor arrived with director-producer Vipul Shah in a black Audi SUV. His arrival brought the traffic at the Asaf Ali Road to a halt.

"I am sorry for being late. I could not get up early, " apologised Salman. "I have sold tickets for this one (film) and I'll usher the audiences for my next film, " he told reporters here.

Salman's presence helped the sales of the tickets for the film, releasing Friday. "The two-screen theatre sold close to 500 tickets, courtesy the hype created by the actor, " said an official from the theatre on condition of anonymity.

Also starring in the film are Ajay Devgn and Asin Thottumkal. The film is about "deep friendship more than any love triangle or music", said Salman.