Salman Khan (Pre-2008)

[first light]

SALLU: I AM MORE POPULAR THAN NEW FACES

By Kedee
 
Salman Khan was perhaps the only star, who began his career with a bang in Bollywood by giving five consecutive hits. While Shah Rukh Khan was moving towards stardom, other actors had just faded under his shadow. However, Salman Khan was an exception and was still shining in Bollywood. Hrithik Roshan in his 2000's hit 'Kaho Na Pyaar Hai' stole the Shah Rukh's title, but Salman's maintained his position in the industry.

 
Besides, Salman has always been a popular actor among women viewers. In his personal life too, Salman attracted Bollywood's beauties towards himself, and they included Sangeeta Bijlani, Somy Ali, Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif. While Shah Rukh and Hrithik shared the number one position, Salman kept his number two status in tact. Others like Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt and Akshay Kumar remained much behind. Another noteworthy feature of Salman's career is that he gives one super hit movie every year, what may come. So, he is never out of sight of the moviegoers.

 
His 'Bagbaan', ' Tere Naam' and then 'Tum Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' were super hits. So also was his social movie 'Phir Milenge'. His home production like 'Lucky' and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Baajirao Mastani', 'Chori Mera Kaam', Boney Kapoor's 'No Entry', B.R.Chopra's 'Babul', 'Deewane Hue Paagal' and 'Shaadi Karke Phans Gaya Yaar' are among his very important forthcoming movies.

It is said that Salman is very thick with Katrina Kaif these days, and has signed her opposite himself in 'Lucky. Moreover, he is helping Katrina to get more offers from other directors.

Excerpts of an interview with him:

Isn't it that you attracted most of the Bollywood beauties, like Sangeeta Bijlani, Somy Ali and Aishwarya Rai in the past, and lately Katrina Kaif?  
I do not want to talk about the women who came in my life in the past. My relations with Katrina Kaif are quite different from what the media has written about. Yes, Katrina is very beautiful and talented, and also my co-star in some films. Besides this, I have no other relationship with her.

How else you signed Katrina in 'Lucky' and got her other offers though she had miserably flopped in 'Dhoom'?
 
Yes, Katrina proved unsuccessful in 'Dhoom'. But, there is another reason for it. She was not properly presented in the movie. Her talent has not been used. She is so beautiful that the audience would be surprised to watch her. There is a need to present her properly on the screen. Moreover, David Dhawan signed her because she fits very well in the role. And, Feroz Nadiadwala has signed her in his 'Deewane Hue Paagal' opposite me on his own. I have no role in it or her bagging other movies.

Do you regret having lost Aish?
Please, do not spoil my mood by asking questions about Aish. Better ask me something else.

Did you indulge in quarreling with Shah Rukh because everyone applauded his pairing with Aish?
 
This is wrong. It's Shah Rukh choice to work or not with Aish. Maybe, Shah Rukh had some other problem in pairing with Aish. The Aish- Shah Rukh pair fared as well in 'Devdas' as it had worked with my pair with Aish in 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam'.

How come you signed Revathy's documentary 'Phir Milenge'?
This is wrong. 'Phir Milenge' was a hundred percent commercial film. However, it's true that this movie gives a message against a deadly disease like AIDS. I am indeed very happy to play the character of an AIDS patient who smilingly faces it.

What are your comments on your style of removing shirt on screen?
Even in my real life. I feel very inconvenient to wear a shirt. In fact, I consider myself a child even today. How else would I go to a five star hotel without wearing a shirt?

Don't you think that childish love doesn't work in an industry dominated by new faces?

Even now I do romantic roles, and can play a college student's character. People accept me in such roles. I feel I act such roles better than new faces.

What's your secret of success?

Even I am not aware of the secret of my success. I may have done good deeds in my previous birth, which are paying me dividends in this life.

[first light]

“Why is everyone after my shirt all the time!?�

source
Salman Khan never really got along with the media. So it was no wonder that when he arrived three hours late for the press conference of his new movie, Lucky -- No Time For Love, he offered no explanation.
But though his answers were curt, he seemed to be in high spirits and joked with the reporters.
Sample this: When a journalist told him that the age gap between Khan and his leading lady, Sneha Ullal was big, he replied, 'Yes. I play a 12 year old and she plays a 26 year old.'
And another: 'How much did you involve yourself in your home production?' Answer: 'I didn't. Not even in acting.'
And yet another: 'Sneha Ullal resembles Aishwarya Rai.' Answer: 'No. She looks like Nadeem (of the music director duo Nadeem-Shravan)'.
rediff.com News Editor (Entertainment) Syed Firdaus Ashraf was at the meet to catch the action.

  What is Lucky about?
"Some schoolgirls have a crush on a guy and keep talking about him. But the heroine does not know him. After watching the film, you will say the film is sweet."

  In which class does Sneha study in the film?
"Class 12. Nowadays, even in Class 9, every girl has boyfriend."
"There is no 'exposure' and it is a very pure film."

  Tell us about your role in Lucky.
It's a romantic role. I play a nice guy, cool and chilled out. He is the son of the Indian ambassador, who is posted in Russia. He drives from Paris to St Petersburg to meet his father.
"This is the guy every girl wants to go out with. He's cultured, has principles, values and money. The story is how he takes care of the girl whom he does not even know."

  To what extent could you identify with your role?
"Main is role mein itna ghus gaya tha... (laughs). How do I answer this question? I am doing the same thing for the last 15 years, yaar!"

  Is Lucky your name in the film?  
"Lucky is the girl's name, and the day she comes into my life is the unluckiest day of my life!"

  What was shooting in Russia like?  
"The day I was leaving St Petersburg, it was -3 degrees and that was the warmest day! We partied that day because it was a warm day! Normally, the temperature would be below -10 degrees."

  So you haven't taken your shirt off in this film?  
"Why is everyone after my shirt all the time? If you have the guts, take off your shirt and see!"

  Tell us about your interaction with the Russians. It seems you shared cigarettes with them.  
"Secrets? Don't say that! I never passed any secrets (laughs)"

  Did you speak Russian?  
"We spoke Hindi. There were interpreters. But though they spoke English properly, we never understood their English and they didn't understand ours! So we would speak in sign language.
"The best part was that half the unit did not even know English. We had to depend on sign language."

  Is it true that Sneha Ullal is your sister's friend?  
"She is not my sister's friend. Alvira (Salman's sister) saw her somewhere. She (Sneha) is the USP of this movie because she is fantastic! She looks very beautiful."
 
  Was she nervous working with you?  
"No, I don't think anybody is scared or nervous of me."

  Any dialogues that you can share with us?  
"Ladki bolti hai, 'Mera koi boyfriend nahi hai' and then she starts crying.
"I reply, 'Toh roh kyon rahi hai.'
"She says, 'Main us type ki ladki nahi hoon. Mera vishwas karo, mera koi boyfriend nahi hai. Mera please vishwas karo.'
"I laugh and say, 'Main yeh dialogue bahut baar sun chukka hoon.' Then I look at her lovingly and say, 'Tumhara vishwas karta hoon.'"

  Mithun Chakrobarty is your co-star in the film.  
"He is such a big star in Russia! When I was in Russia for 15 days, one or two would come and acknowledge me. But when Mithun came, about 60 Russians would wait for him as if he was some minister!
"He is an amazing guy. His role is very difficult as he appears in different get-ups."

  How have you changed in the last 15 years?  
"I have put on weight and lost hair. My voice has changed slightly. Our films have advanced technically.

  What, according to you, is good cinema?  
"A movie that your grandfather and you can see together is good cinema. Good cinema is also when audiences come out of theatres and want to behave like the film's hero, or when you come out crying or laughing.
"Good cinema is cinema that everybody sees and the films make a lot of money. There is no point watching a movie at home.
"I did a comedy film, Hello Brother, and an emotional film, Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha. I was the only person watching them at home alone."

[ApunBindaas]

From Russia, With Love!

Lucky – No Time For Love has already hit the theatres! As we go to press we hear mixed reviews bring aired. Part of the public is raving over Russia while the other half is divided over opinions on the lead actress Sneha Ullal. Russia and Ullal seem to have become the USP of the film. Salman enlightens us on various aspects of the film, right from Russian interpreters to the fact that he’ll be turning 40 soon.

So Salman, what made you sign Lucky – No Time For Love?
When Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru approached me and narrated the script of their project Lucky-No Time For Love, I was dumbstruck. I was totally bowled over by it and was instantly convinced that I ought to do it. Being writer Salim Khan’s son, what appeals to me first, when I’m offered a film, is its subject. The freshness of this script was its USP. The duo had done a lot of research before they approached me with their script, even though they did not know me at all. We were strangers and it was my brother-in-law who had fixed up our meeting. I was flabbergasted when they not only told me that they had started writing the subject two years ago but that they always had me in mind for the main role. They even showed me the DVD of the locations that they had shot in Russia at their own cost, with Radhika as Lucky and Vinay, the guy opposite her.

What’s your take on Lucky…?
Lucky… is set against the romantic and majestic backdrop of St. Petersburg, the 300-year-old city of tsars and revolutions, of great palaces and great literature, which was tailor-made for the film! It is a tale of modern day romance with a fairy-tale quality about love that brings together two people who probably would never have met, if not for the hand of destiny. It revolves around an 18-year-old girl who falls in love with an older guy. How the young girl blossoms into a young woman in a period of five to six days when she realizes that she has fallen in love, forms the crux of this mind-blowing subject.

And your role?
I play a cool, chilled out guy called Aditya with whom every girl in town wants to go out. I’m the son of the Indian Ambassador and take care of this girl even though I don’t know her. The day this girl comes into my life happens to be the unluckiest day in my life.

How do you rate Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru as directors?
What I liked about both of them was the fact that they were so much in sync with one another. I had worked for the first time with a woman director, Revathy, in Phir Milenge. Lucky is my second film with a woman director. I did not find any difference whether I was working with a male or a female director.

The oft-repeated question! Was Sneha cast because of her uncanny resemblance, though minimal, to Aishwarya Rai?
Sneha doesn’t look like Aishwarya! She has her own identity and looks more like Nadira of the 50’s. It was my sister Arpita who had seen her in her college. Since my brother Sohail is producing the film with T Series, they asked her to come and meet me. I had just one look at her and told them that she looked the part and that they should go ahead and have a screen test sans make-up or rehearsal. The decision was unanimously in her favor and she was signed on. I found Sneha Ullal to be decent and respectful and as an actress, mind-blowing, fantastic and outstanding. She shot in extreme climates with us, without uttering a word of protest, even when the climate was minus 3 degrees centigrade.

What’s Mithun Chakraborty doing in Lucky?
I realized while shooting in Russia that though I might be more popular in India, Mithunda is a big star there. Every morning, while leaving the hotel for the location shoot there would be at least 50 to 60 people standing outside the hotel gates with bouquets for him. They would be screaming, “Jimmy Jimmy aaja aaja�, the song from his film Disco Dancer which made him an overnight star there, two decades ago. Mithunda is an amazing guy. I was glad that I got the opportunity to work with him for the first time. In the film, he appears in different get-ups!

How do you rate brother Sohail Khan as a producer?
Sohail Khan is a cool producer! He spent just four days in Russia where we were shooting for over a month. If we failed to complete the day’s shoot, as per schedule, he’d never turn hyper. Instead, he used to ask us to chill out and take the shot the next day. What’s interesting to note is that we had taken along with us, interpreters from Mumbai for translating to us the Russian lingo into English. Unfortunately, the technicians who we had flown down to Russia, from Mumbai, did not follow the interpretation because they did not know English!

Coming back to your movies, could you name your forthcoming films?
To begin with, there’s Anees Bazmee’s No Entry, David Dhawan’s Kyon Maine Pyar Kiya, Priyadarshan’s Kyonki and last but not the least Adiyaman’s Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar, which is going to rock, although it has taken a long time in the making. I’m sure everybody would love that film in which I’ve been teamed opposite Shilpa Shetty. Right now I’m also working in an English film, Marigold, in which I play a choreographer.

Maine Pyar Kiya onwards, how would you evaluate your growth as an actor?
As an actor I do not think I have improved over the years from the time I made my debut with Maine Pyar Kiya. For the past fifteen years, I have played similar characters in every film, even though I have done different kinds of films. I feel that even today, as an actor, I give just two per cent of my capacity. As a person, I do not have any goal in life. Today I weigh more and have less hair on my head and my voice too has changed. I know I will turn forty this year. I neither take compliments seriously nor consider myself a great actor because I know that today even the most powerful person with tremendous clout has to die. However, if someone pulls someone else down, I try to stand up for that person. It’s my nature to stand up for the underdog!

[guruduttfan]

I fell in love with Aishwarya while shooting 'HDDCS' :Salman

Think Salman Khan and two things come to mind -- the actor's propensity to land in trouble and his hunky looks that have turned him into the perfect pin-up boy.

Perhaps the only actor to have starred in three path-breaking Bollywood blockbusters -- "Maine Pyar Kiya," "Karan Arjun" and "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun," Salman is better known these days for his volatile temper and fisticuffs.

He has allegedly shot the endangered black buck in Rajasthan, thrashed journalists and created a ruckus in front of the residence of actress Aishwarya Rai with whom he has an on-going much-bandied-about relationship.

"I fell in love with Aishwarya while shooting 'Hum Dil De Chuke Saman.' If she is in my life, it is her choice. I admit I did a lot of things that were wrong, but they are between the two of us," Salman told.

The 36-year-old actor, who has shied away from the press for 12 years, said he is the Indian media's whipping boy simply because he keeps to himself.

"Unlike most actors who run after the press I don't. I stay away because the media exhausts me," he said. "That, plus my self-confidence, comes across as an attitude problem."

Asked why, if that were the case, he continued to get bad publicity, he said: "If I say 'stupid, idiot,' 10 people later it will become stupid, idiot and 10 other things. People like to read bad things about me. That is why there is always something bad to read.

"As for thrashing (reporters), all I did is pose for a photo-journalist because I thought it would help him earn his Rs.250-500 or whatever per photo. All I got in return is abuse and accusations like 'kill him, he is a (alleged gangster) Dawood (Ibrahim) man. I got angry, but all I did is turn around. They wrecked my car."

Salman's last few films like "Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega" and "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke" have done better business overseas.

Asked about Bollywood's popularity in the West, Salman said: "Our films were inspired by Hollywood musicals. They moved on, not just in films, even economically; we are stuck. We are stuck with bare necessities -- hence the need to make fantasies and the same old stories about bread and butter."

Salman has starred in a string of hits like "Karan Arjun," "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam," "Hum Saath Saath Hain," but his co-stars Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya and Ajay Devgan and Saif Ali Khan walked away with the credit.

"I have no problems. I like to share," he said. He is adamant he will not do any negative roles, like his contemporaries.

"People like to see me as a good guy -- joking, laughing, crying. They expect me to behave in a certain manner, how can I break their expectations. These people make my films run, I have to give them what they want from me."

In New Delhi to promote his new film "Tumko Na Bhool Payenge," he said he likes to try his hand at various roles and aspects of filmmaking -- he came up with the story of his hit film "Baaghi."

The son of ace scriptwriter Salim Khan, Salman says he has not inherited his father's writing skills but "I have his thinking".

At one time the three Khans - Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman - ruled the Bollywood roost. "But I am the real Khan. I am a Pathan," he quipped, "I don't know about the others."

Today there is a host of young talent -- Hrithik Roshan, Arjun Rampal, Fardeen Khan among others -- threatening to displace them, but an unfazed Salman asserted: "Competition doesn't scare me. Besides, the day I am sure that I am through as an actor, I will become a farmer."

Dressed in snug black jeans and black designer vest, Salman said "Tumko Na..." is "a bit of double role and a bit of reincarnation."

Asked how much effort he put into his characters -- Veer and Ali -- in the film that releases February 22, he said: "When you put effort in a film it shows. All you need to do is let a facet of the character, or a friend, take over."

After "Tumko Na...," which comes nearly a year after his last film, Salman will be seen in a string of movies like "Hum Tumhare Hai Sanam," "Hello Daddy" and "Dil Chura Ke Chal Diye."

He is also doing a period film in which he plays Madan Lal Dhingra, an Indian freedom fighter who was hanged in London in 1909 for killing Sir Curzon Wyllie, political aide-de-camp to Lord Morley, then secretary of state for India.

[first light]

Salman set for Hollywood stint with 'Marigold'

source
Amsterdam, July 1. (PTI): Aishwarya Rai may be making waves abroad but when it comes to starring in a mainstream Hollywood flick, actor Salman Khan has pipped her to the post.

Shooting for American filmmaker Willard Carroll's 'Marigold', billed the first Indo-US co-production ever, is complete and the film is slated for a January 2006 release in the US.

But lead actor Salman is happy doing Hindi films and has no plans to shift base to the world's movie capital.

"I did this film for Willard and Willard alone. I am not doing any other Hollywood film," he says.
Salman's present stance might change depending on the film's performance at the US box-office, but emoting in English might have had something to do with his decision.

"We do speak English in real life, but to do that consistently in front of the camera on sync sound was challenging," he says.
'Marigold' is a romantic comedy about an American actress Marigold Lexton (Ali Larter) who gets stranded in Mumbai. The reel adventure begins when she bags a small role in a Bollywood musical and meets Prem (Salman Khan) who is the film's choreographer.

"It's about a woman who comes to India, has some issues and undergoes a transformation for which Bollywood is a sort of catalyst," explains director Carroll, known for his Sean Connery and Angelina Jolie starrer 'Playing by Heart.'

[mrs. k]

SALMAN: SHAH RUKH MAY FEEL JEALOUS
http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2005/jul/12salman1.htm

Fifteen years ago, Salman Khan said Maine Pyaar Kiya to a girl. Now, he says Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. This is one of the ways his new film, also starring Sushmita Sen, Katrina Kaif and Sohail Khan, is being promoted.

When asked if he would say the same thing to a woman whom he had proposed to 15 years ago, he laughs. "Fifteen years is too long, buddy! I will say it in six months!" After a pause, he adds: "No, make it three months."

The star spoke to Chief Correspondent Syed Firdaus Ashraf about Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, and much more. Excerpts:

David Dhawan has the knack of making people laugh, thanks to senseless dialogues.

David is a very impatient guy. He will say what he has to say over the phone. He will not listen to you. But when you are on the sets, he will give you enough space to improvise. Most of his work is done on location. He is very open to ideas. Since he was a film editor before turning director, he knows how to cut bad scenes.

My comedy films with David have done well. I don't know whether there is a fear of repeating yourself and boring audiences. I don't know if this 'repetitive comedy theory' holds true for the Govinda-David Dhawan pair. But I can say that Govinda is the best actor in our industry. Shah Rukh Khan may feel jealous (smiles) but I think Govinda is a phenomenal and spontaneous actor.

Unfortunately, Govinda and I never got a chance to work with each other except for a brief appearance in Deewana Mastana. We had signed a film, Raju Rajaram, but it never took off.

Among my films, my favourite comedy is Rajkumar Santoshi's Andaz Apna Apna (1994). The screenplay was phenomenonal. I really liked my one liner: 'Oui Ma!'

The most hilarious scene is when I laugh at Aamir Khan while he tries to propose to Raveena Tandon in the restaurant. Aamir thinks I am drunk but I am laughing because I realise Raveena isn't a millionaire. Karisma, who is in love with me, is the rich girl.

One never knows what kind of films click at the box office. I thought Hello Brother was a very sweet comedy film but it did not work. When people see that film on television today, they love it -- especially when they see me turn into an angel.

Hits and flops are not in our hands. I was told that (Ramesh Sippy's Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor starrer) Shaan didn't click when it was released in 1980s. But people loved it when it was re-released recently.

Even in Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, I never thought the song, Just Chill would work so well with the masses. Instead, I thought the other songs would click.

In MPKK, I play a doctor. I don't want to get married and so I always tell women I am married. I am single and fall in love very often.

The trouble comes when I fall in love with a woman and finally want to marry her. She tells me to divorce my wife, who does not exist.

I begin my affair with a lie and have to lie repeatedly to protect the truth. It is not like my earlier film, Biwi No. 1 where I lie to be with a woman. Here, I constantly lie.

Sohail Khan plays an interesting character. He always makes my life miserable. I had worked with him in Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Hello Brother, where he directed me.

He plays a struggling actor here. Whenever I am romantically involved with a woman, he spoils my mood.

When I look back at Maine Pyaar Kiya, I feel like laughing at my character in the film. I feel that if I could make it big, anyone can.

I still remember it took me 11 days to get a step right in the title song. Bhagyashree was teaching me.

At that time, I was seeing Sangeeta Bijlani. When she came to the sets, she laughed and laughed. I just could not do that step.

People told me that I replaced Aamir (as the top actor in the industry). But I never look at it that way. He was in his direction and I was in mine. It holds true for Shah Rukh also. I am not in number games. I am running on my own track.

I am doing an English film called Marigold. It is a very funny film. It is a David Dhawan film with more class and subtlety. I hope audiences worldwide will relate to it.

[first light]

Interview : Salman Khan in a funny mode

source

Salman Khan has been the scenario since the last 15 years, doing entertaining movies and appealing time and again. Though sometime back he has proved his forte as an action hero, in the recent times one can see him more in the comedy genre films. He started out with ‘Maine Pyaar Kiya’ and today he says ‘Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya’. This is the name of his new film with Sushmita Sen, Katrina Kaif and Sohail Khan. But one thing hasn’t changed over the years and that is he is still the handsome heartthrob that makes every woman’s heart beat and makes every man jealous of him!

Excerpts from the Interview:

Tell us in brief about your role on MPKK.

In the film I play a doctor for the very first time. I’m flirtatious and always take my beautiful ladies patients on rounds. But when it comes to marriage I tell that I’m already married because marriage is one thing that doesn’t interest me much. I continue with my bachelorship and keep going as a Casanova until I meet Katrina one of my patients. I instantly fall in love with her and decide to marry her. I also tell her initially that I’m married and this is where the problem starts. She tells me to get rid of my wife. The only way left for me is to roll her in my lies, one after another to preserve the truth.

You’ve been seen recently in many David Dhawan’s film. What makes you work with him again and again?

I like working with him because he makes people laugh, both off screen and on screen. He always has something nonsense in his lips to utter, that will make one burst out laughter. He continuously proves his point without letting the other person talk. But he is a very sweet person. On sets he is very open to ones ideas and gives enough opportunity to cope up with the scene. In his films there are no rehearsals of sorts, everything works out then and there itself. Moreover, my recent films with him have worked well and he is my safest bet.

But are you not going overboard doing the same kind of comedy again and again?
 
I’ve never paid any heed to that. I don’t know if I’m repeating myself and tiring the people who come to watch me at the theatres. But Govinda and David Dhawan have done many such films together and they all clicked. The people liked watching their combination. I’ll continue working in comedies and my forthcoming films ‘No Entry’ and Marigold are also funny films.

Whom do you consider as the best actor in Bollywood?

In one word it is Govinda . Though Shah Rukh is reigning but Govinda is unusual and extra special. He is very impulsive and spontaneous. I look forward to work with him but so far I haven’t got the chance to do so. We were supposed to work together in ‘Raju Rajaram’ but unfortunately the project got shelved.
 

You’ve done many comedy films till date. Which one stands out according to you?

The film that I personally like among my comedies is Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Andaz Apna Apna’. The story was phenomenal and there were scenes between Aamir Khan and me that I liked doing a lot.

What are your expectations from the film ‘Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya’?

I cannot guarantee which film will do well and which won’t. I was expecting ‘Hello Brother’ to click but it didn’t. We cannot decide which film is going to run and which is going to turn dud. Unexpectedly the song ‘Just Chill’ has worked very well but I thought that the other songs would click better than this. ‘MPKK’ is more refined and a classy comedy. I would like if people relate to the film and like it.

[LolaRuns]

Voices on tape aren't ours, say Salman

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1172624,curpg-1.cms

 MUMBAI: The raging controversy over the alleged threats issued by actor Salman Khan in 2001 to his then heartthrob, actress Aishwarya Rai, the tapes of which are making the rounds now, has taken a new turn with Salman flatly denying that the voices belong to either him or to Aishwarya.

In his first interview after the outbreak of the controversy, Salman said that he heard the tapes several times and could not recognise his own voice.

He also categorically stated that the voice at the other end was not Aishwarya's. Roundly rubbishing the charge that he was linked to Abu Salem and the underworld, he pointed out that he was, in fact, a victim of the underworld who was given police protection. Excerpts from an interview:

Q: What is your response to the controversy raging across the country over the tapes?

A: This is the second time I am being put in the dock by the media without even bothering to get my side of the story. In 2003 when a road accident case was slapped on me, the media declared me guilty. But our judicial system, in which I have immense faith, is giving me a fair trial. Now again I am being crucified for no fault of mine.

Q: But did you abuse Aishwarya over the phone and compel her to take part in Abu Salem's show?

A: Frankly, my initial response on reading media reports and hearing the television channels was one of shock. The media is desperately looking for sensational stories to sell itself in a competitive market, and I was the convenient fall guy. A particular TV channel targeted me because I was among the first to openly come out in defence of actor Aman Verma who was sought to be victimised through a so-called sting operation by it...

 ...Q: Do you recall having the conversation with Aishwarya?

A: Look, the tape is of 2001 vintage. I do not recall any such c o nve r s a - tion. Will you recall a conversation you had with somebody four years ago? This whole thing is so absurd. I heard the tape and I could not recognise my own voice. The voice obviously belongs to a drunken man. The voice attributed to Ash is also most certainly not hers. I believe the cops also feel that the voice is not mine.

Q: In 2001 you were madly in love with Aishwarya. Is it possible that you actually uttered those words?

A: Yes, I was mad about her...almost in a suicidal way. But I did not threaten her to do any show. Assuming for a moment that the voice is indeed mine, what does it prove? Are the threats backed by any action? Did Ash do any show for Abu Salem? Somebody might claim tomorrow that he is the president of America. Does that make him the president? There is no legal or ethical basis for prosecuting me. But I am saddened by the liberal use of four-letter words by the media. What are they teaching children?

Q: Did you ever have any links with the underworld in general and with Abu Salem in particular?

A: This is the most absurd charge anyone could level against me. I am actually a victim of the underworld. I have been threatened by Abu Salem. The cops heard the threats and decided that I should have police security, which I had till the accident in Bandra. I now have private security. But I can handle these threats. I am capable of that. How can I be the underworld's pointsman in Bollywood? A victim of the underworld is its pointsman? It must be a sick joke.

Q: Is it true that you had advance information about the Mumbai bomb blasts of 1993?

A: This is a ridiculous accusation. The bomb blasts were thoroughly investigated by the Mumbai police and the CBI. The testimonies of hundreds of people were recorded, and a mass of evidence was put together by these investigative agencies. Not once did my name crop up. If my name did figure in the investigations I would have been arrested long back. I find this charge particularly painful. I have never played a bad character in
any film. I believe in my loving my family, my friends and my country. I am as much a Hindustani as anyone else. How can I be labelled a deshdrohi? ...

 ...Q: Have you been questioned by the cops after the latest controversy?

A: No. But I have always cooperated with the cops. What I don't understand is this campaign against my film Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. Apart from me, Sushmita Sena, David Dhawan and others are involved in this film. Three thousand families are dependent on the success of this film. Why is
it being targetted?

Q: Do you suspect that your rivals have raised this controversy to ensure that the film does not make it big at the box-office? Also, do you think you are being targetted by BJP agitators because you are a Muslim?

A: I don't want to get into all this. I have no enemies in the industry. I have only helped people and never harmed anyone. As for politics, I don't understand it.

[wannabe]

From the August, 2005 issue of G magazine;

http://www.gmagazine.com/magazine/august2005/Interviews03.asp


(check out the link for some nice pictures)
   
Interview: SALMAN KHAN

Mister Misunderstood!

He differs from the other two King Khans – Shah Rukh and Aamir – in almost all respects: For starters, he is the only one of them who is known for being as adept at romance as well as at action, thanks to those limpid eyes and a physique that is the envy of the industry. And then some more.

Second, he is the only one as yet single and would emerge a hands-down winner in any poll about eligible bachelors in cinema (Somy Ali and Aishwarya Rai are passé, though of course Katrina Kaif is in the running).

Third, he is the only Khan as of today who does more than two films at a time.

Fourth, he is the only Khan to get himself embroiled into situations that are times of his making but mainly, not! If you want to hang a Khan, the media and the public make him the fall guy! He is the most misunderstood guy in the industry.

There’s more…

Aamir Khan chooses his assignments while Shah Rukh Khan has an A-list camp, but none of Salman Khan’s loyalists (David Dhawan, brother Sohail Khan, Bubby Kent, Sunil Manchanda, Sajid Nadiadwala) are known as elite filmmakers. And yet we hear of the man inspiring enough loyalty in Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Sooraj R. Barjatya for them to return to him after outings with other superstars.

Salman also differs from the other two Khans in two other aspects: one, he is unapologetically mass-oriented, and wants his films to do well across all classes of audience and regions, like Maine Pyar Kiya (’89), Saajan (’91), Hum Aapke Hain Koun!… (’94), Karan Arjun (’95), Judwaa (’97), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (’98), Biwi No. 1 and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (’99), Tere Naam and Baghban (2003) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) did. Salman has steadfastly avoided professional contact with the offbeat brigade, which Aamir (Ketan Mehta, Rakyesh Mehra) and Shah Rukh Khan (Ketan Mehta, Santosh Sivan, Amol Palekar) did not.

Secondly, his resume records a chain of new faces launched opposite him, beginning with Renu Arya (in his own debut as second lead in Biwi Ho To Aisi way back in ’88), Maine Pyar Kiya (’89, his first solo lead, opposite Bhagyashree), Baaghi (Naghma), Love (Revathi), Patthar Ke Phool (Raveena Tandon), Sanam Bewafa (Kanchan and Chandni) and Tere Naam (Bhumika Chawla) and last but not the least, his home production Lucky – No Time For Love (Sneha Ullal).

Last, but emphatically not the least, Salman is also the first Khan and first Indian mainstream hero after Shashi Kapoor to sign a true-blue international project, Marigold.

On the personal side, Salman’s trysts with social causes (un-hyped out of preference) and his good deeds are not as well-documented as his notorious side, like the alleged Ash-bashing, poaching and his unfortunate accident, but have ensured that his image, at worst, is that of a brat.

The media gets a taste of this as he reports in a full 150 minutes late for the interviews. But once perched upon his seat, Sallubhai is all attention and with acerbic wit answers queries.

Excerpts from an interview:

Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya is the first film in which you co-star with your brother Sohail Khan, who has directed you earlier in Auzaar, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Hello Brother. How was it working with him?
Sohail rocks in the film. The stuff he made me do in those films – he’s done all that here very well himself. He plays a struggling actor. The funny thing is that on the first day Sohail was very uncomfortable because he kind of wants to have this Sunny Deol kind of image and in this film he plays the role of a struggling actor! But after the first three shots he was away full steam into his comic role, excelling in comedy. As a director, he’s always been my and the industry’s best-looking one!

How much was the comfort level with the character and with your director?
This is one of David Dhawan’s cleanest and funniest comedies. In fact, it was one of the most difficult films for me to dub, for it was high-pitched comedy. My character had to lie constantly in the film. The character brought out the actor in me because lying does not come easy to me as a person. I may lie to save a life and I definitely would to maybe make someone happy, but not otherwise. As for David, it’s been a growing relationship because I have been working with him on at least one film since ’96. This means that I spend 45 days at least every year working with him, primarily because I enjoy working with him. Also because he’s very easy to work with!

David is a very impatient man and being basically an editor, likes economy. He will not speak an extra line even on a ‘phone discussion’ just as most of his movies do not have an extra frame. He has this habit of instantly and tersely approving or rejecting anything and those who work with him instinctively understand why he did not like something. He gives you a succinct brief and then gives you enough space to improvise. Finally, after he has finished with the film on the editing table, whatever you see on screen looks really good. David’s unbeatable at comedy as we all know. His films with Govinda have been riotously funny.

Talking of Govinda, you have worked with virtually every top contemporary of yours, including Aamir and Shah Rukh, but not with him, apart from the two scenes together in David’s Deewana Mastana. Why is that?
I don’t know. We were to do David’s Raju Raja Ram but it did not take off. Govinda is phenomenal. As an actor, saari industry ek taraf hai aur Govinda ek taraf.

But you did have some problem with him.
No.

He was said to have got your brother Arbaaz Khan replaced by someone else in one of his films.
(Dismissively) No, no, nothing like that.

You are on a patch-up spree, Shah Rukh, Gulshan Grover, Anu Malik...
Yeah. (Clams up)

This virtually marks the Hindi debut of Katrina Kaif, though she had a small role in Sarkar. What is your frank opinion of her as an actress, in the film?
She is as good as anyone else would have been in this role. She is learning, becoming more confident by the day. Every expression she gave was right for that shot. For someone who did not know Hindi at all, she has made great strides in her dialogue delivery. She has signed 4-5 Hindi films on the strength of her work.

How do you look back on Maine Pyar Kiya now?
Like with all films, I think we could have made it better today. But I give all credit to destiny for what the film did for me. Today when I watch it, I feel that if I can make it, anybody can!

You have been here for 17 years. What is the view you have evolved of what constitutes good cinema?
Has it really been 17 years since I first began shooting? Yeah, guess that’s true – my hairline has receded and my waistline has increased! Okay, I think that good cinema is that which everyone from your great-grandfather to you can enjoy sitting together. Good cinema is when you watch a film and want to be its hero, when ladies who watch it want a man, a son, a brother or a friend like you. Good cinema is that which depresses or cheers you, which makes you come out crying or laughing. Good cinema is when a film you are watching is over you wish that the film were a little longer. Finally, good cinema is that which earns you lots of money.

You have never gone in for art-house cinema. There is only one exception in a way to the mass entertainers that you have done – Phir Milenge. Did you do this film only because of your old association with Revathy?
I did it because HIV awareness is something that can never be overdone. You see TV promos all the time about it, but the normal mindset is HIV and AIDS cannot happen to you, but only to others. This is wrong and dangerous, and if a star passes on the message the reach it gets is of a much greater dimension.

Could you say something about your involvement in your home productions other than as an actor?
(Dismissively waves his hand) Kuch nahin. Actually, acting mein bhi zyaada involvement nahin hai!

What are your own tastes in music?
I love the music of Himesh Reshammiya and Sajid-Wajid. Himesh’s music in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya is rockin’, man!

I meant the kind of music you normally like to listen to when you are unwinding?
I like different kinds of music.

Your Marigold director Willard Carroll reportedly wanted to make you cry even in that film because he noticed that whichever film you have shed tears in has been a huge hit.
(Smiles) Marigold is quite similar to a David Dhawan film, though it is much more subdued and aimed more at the classes.

It is said that you refused to do a kissing scene in it.
Yes, I have one rule of work. If I don’t kiss on the Indian screen, I am not going to kiss over there!

An inventory of your films to come?
Priyadarsan’s Kyunki, the long-delayed Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar¸ which is in the making for four years now but is a super and rocking film. No Entry is my next release. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and I will do a film, either Bajirao Mastani or something else.

Have you watched Black?
Yes, and it was fantastic!

What about Pritish Nandy’s Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam?
I don’t know anything about that.

And are you doing Sooraj R. Barjatya’s next film?
Yes, I am doing Sooraj’s next film.

You have been doing action, romance and comedy all the time.
Yeah, and I am very happy doing it. I consider myself very lucky!

What about tragedy, and what is your idea of growth after you find that you are no longer happy doing variations of the same thing?
Oh, yes, I have done tragedies too, like Hello Brother and Dil Ne Jisse Apna Kahaa - which we made and then watched at home because no else wanted to watch them! Maybe you could call them comedies too for this reason! But seriously, kids love Hello Brother now whenever it comes on television. On the other hand, I am trying my hand at different things now – Bajirao Mastani if it happens, Priyan’s film which is very different, and Marigold, of course.

You do not smoke on screen, neither did you allow a photographer to click you while you were puffing away. What are your feelings on the recent proposed ban on smoking on screen?
Stars should not be seen smoking in public. We do have an impact on the people. I have no right to spoil anyone else’s health just because I personally am willing to face the consequences of my addiction. As for the ban – I do not know really. There was this group speaking against smoking and I clearly saw one of those guys chewing tobacco at the side of his mouth!

You Khans – Aamir, Shah Rukh and you – have ruled the roost for over a decade now. What is your own analysis about your combined supremacy? There are stars who approach the Khan position, but never manage to break through.
I don’t know. That’s a question you should ask Him (looks upwards) because it is all His work. I think that it’s just fate, nothing else. And I think that Hrithik Roshan too is a huge star.

Problem after problem you don’t seem to have enough of them in life. Could you describe the essence of Salman Khan the person in one line?
You keep pushing me down all the time, and I will stand up again.

You have had quite a turbulent time since the last six years and even today the fates seem to be against you. What has that taught you?
I have learnt that everything isn’t what you think it is. Every time you think you know the answers, or everything about something – God whacks you!

— Dr. Rajiv Vijayakar

[wannabe]

http://www.despardes.com/India/ent/nov04/10.html

I don’t have a problem revealing- Salman Khan
 
Salman Khan and Preity ZintaRumors of his arrogant, downright rude behavior – especially where journalists are concerned – plagued me as I waited for Salman Khan to show up at Hotel Meridian (he was over an hour late). But surprisingly, he was a gentleman.

Meet the muscled macho man who’s recently scored a hat trick with Tere Naam, Garv and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.

After a long hiatus, there is a sudden spurt of Salman films. Is this planned?

Well, I have started working 18 hours a day, which allows me to sign several films.

‘Sex films’ like Murder, Julie and Girlfriend are big hits. Would you do one?

No! I would be very uncomfortable doing sex scenes. Besides, my parents and grandparents watch all my films and they would be very embarrassed. The way I look at it, romance is not only about sex. It’s about the emotion of love. Women shouldn’t expose. Glamour does not mean sex or taking off your clothes! Look at Madhubala; she looked glamorous without exposing. Exposing and sex films are lame excuses for instant stardom.

Salman KhanBut you strip in every second film!

Why do I strip? I’m not a woman! Besides, I’ve worked very hard to get into shape and I don’t have a problem revealing my muscles…

What made you choose the AIDS-oriented film, Phir Milenge?

I accepted Phir Milenge because I wanted to spread awareness about HIV. There is no preaching in the film and the audiences will automatically get educated about the life-threatening disease.

Phir Milenge won critical acclaim but failed at the box office! Why?

With the prevalent DVD culture, box-office success is not a certainty. You will not go to multiplexes to watch a film like Phir Milenge, which gives out a message. If it comes on television, you will see it. But how many people would watch a film at multiplexes where ticket costs you Rs150? A pack of popcorn and Coke will cost you a further Rs75 …

How true is it that the film Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha? has been ‘inspired’ by Return To Me?

Salman KhanI don’t like the phrase, ‘inspired’. I admit we have borrowed a thread from the plot of Return To Me, but that’s it. It’s not a rip-off!

Whom do you consider to be the best actor in Bollywood?

Sanjay Dutt and Amitabhji. Very few people know that for my role in Garv, where I play a police officer, I did my homework by studying all the films where Amitabh Bachchan played a police officer!

Is it true that you are media shy?

Yes, I am media-shy because journos are more interested in my personal life than in my films. They question me about who I’m dating and other personal questions. When I refuse to answer, they see red! Well, I don’t have to answer every question put to me!
(By Jasmeen Dugal)

[wannabe]

“The day I do a historical is the day I will follow the dialogues on paper� - Salman Khan


By IndiaFM News Bureau, October 14, 2005 - 09:30 IST

Priyan pens great lines for his actors and you are his actor this time around. We are awaiting for some magic with Kyon Ki…
I just hope I have done justice to those lines, nothing more.

Leak us something about your role?
I play a lovable, endearing character. He is a constant idiot in every situation and gets into trouble time and again for no reason of his. That's as much about the character that I can give away.

Since your character in Kyon Ki… is not one of those 'seen-him-before' characters, was there any method to your acting?
What method? No method, I play it from my heart. If I can understand and relate to the character, then I take it on and that is how I play a character.

Let's get to the cast. Your pairing with Kareena is refreshing. Why didn't you guys team together before?
I was working with her sister, Karisma, until recent. So it feels awkward to romance her younger sister whom you have seen grow up in front of you. But now she is a grown-up lady and so…you see us together.

Do you agree with people who think Kareena hams big time?
(Laughs) Yes. But then again, it has to do with the roles that she did which required her to be noisy and garrulous. But check her out in Kyon Ki and you'll agree that she has done a fantastic job. She is very soft and subtle in this film.

The music of Kyon Ki will outdo the standards of Tere Naam.
She comes across as quite a mad girl, what was your off screen chemistry like?
She might be a 'mad-mad' girl but she behaved herself while shooting with me.

Tell us about Rimi…
Oh, she is an extremely sweet person. No hassles with her at all. I shot with her for 15 days and it was very pleasant.

Jackie and you team together for the third time?
That's right; I am extremely fond of Jackie. We gel very well. He is like my elder brother.

You and Himesh have a 100% hit record as far as music goes, how do you like the music of Kyon Ki?
I think it is a great combination of melody and sadness. I think we will outdo the standards of Tere Naam. I love the music so much that right now I have Kyon Ki playing in my car.

How was it working with Priyan?
It was fabulous! He is such an accomplished director, so thorough with the script that I had to work harder this time. Normally, I take the shoot scene-by-scene. But with Priyan, before I finished 'x' scene, he was ready with scene 'y'. So I had to memorize my lines and be ready to take up the next shot. His crew too is so pat with what to set up and where the lights need to be lined. He is a real taskmaster and cans 80-100 shots in a single day. Quick, sharp and focused, that's how Priyadarshan works.

Is he a control-freak or does he believes in giving creative license?
Oh, yes, he gives you lots of creative space. What he doesn't give you is time!

Priyadarshan is a real taskmaster and cans 80-100 shots in a single day.
What's your approach while shooting?
I get along with most people. But if there ever comes a point where I don't rub well with a person, I make an extra effort to get along. But if I see that it is still failing then I make an early exit from the film without trying to oust the person from the cast. That has always been my approach.

Your co-stars always point out that you change the lines of the script while shooting. True?
I do that just so that the dialogues are real and audiences can relate to them. What happens most times is that, since one is writing, it tends to get very flowery and then the dialogues make no sense and sound ridiculous. I give it a real and contemporary touch, that's all. The day I do a historical is the day I will follow the dialogues on paper.

You have been playing the fun, flirty, 'happy-go-lucky' guy for quite some time. Yet people flock to theatres to watch as critics put it, 'the-same-Salman'. Do you feel vindictive at some point?
Well, there are only so many characters one can play, that's why repetition creeps in. So yes, you end up playing the same character with some changes here and there. But it's basically the same character. I just ensure that they don't look identical.

Tell us 3 movies that you liked yourself in…
None, liking myself is being narcissistic and that is one thing that I am not. Ask me about Mr. Bachchan's, Dilip Saab or Dharmendra's films and I'll tell you.

Liking myself is being narcissistic and that is one thing that I am not.
Give us an actress who you think will be the 'Next-Big-Thing'
My approximation about these things are always wrong! The person I pick as potential often bites dust. So excuse me out of it.

Not so easy, okay, tell us about actresses who you are fond of…
Oh, I am very fond of Madhuri, both as an actor as well as a person.

Are you still in touch with her?
No, we lost contact. I think she is somewhere in Denver or was it Florida? Don't really know…

Continue…
I am also very fond of Sriji, I think she is fantastic! Shilpa, Katrina and the kid I worked with, in Lucky, Sneha Ullal. I like these people.

Movie buffs are thrilled that you and Shahrukh are finally getting back together!
Shahrukh and I were always close.

You are telling that there was no love lost between the two of you…
None at all, it's just that he was busy with his stuff and I with mine. And everybody knows that my 'stuff' is such a lot of my 'stuff'. So I thought it was best not to bother them with it and simply suck them too into the mess.

Tell us that we'll see the Khans together…
Well, we have just met up twice or thrice. But let's see…

Give us 3 people who you consider your pillar of strength…
Three is too less…

Wonderful, more the merrier…
Well for starters, my gang of 15-20 friends who always back me, my family and my extended family which consists of my staff who have been with me for the past 15 years!

The person I pick as potential often bites dust.
What's your take on your sweet-n-sour relation with the media?
You put yourself in my place and tell me how would you react?

What is success to you?
If you work hard, give it your best shot and have God's grace, then I am sure you are going to be a success. And it just helps if you have a million fans backing you, the way I have!

What is the best thing any fan has done for you?
Lots, you know it feels wonderful when you know there are so many people caring for you. That's the reason I try to keep out of trouble as much as I can. One day, a Malabar Hill kid came upto me and told me that his grandmother had kept a 3-day fast and offered prayers when I got myself into a mess recently.

I don't know if I deserve this kind of affection and love. But yes, the day someone tries to take this away from me is the day when I'll fight back, till then I'll lie and take it all.

What does Salman's future look like?
(Mocks) If you ask me what I am going to do 5 minutes from now, I would be blank. You know I love this saying, it goes like this, 'If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. If you make him laugh a little more, tell him that you are going to make someone's life. If you want him absolutely bursting, tell him that you are going to destroy someone's life'. I am pretty much like that…

[guruduttfan]

http://www.screenindia.com/20020927/fint.html

SALMAN KHAN
"You can get married to a person for a 100 reasons but you fall in love for only one reason"       
            
    
Salman Khan is making headlines again. Last weekend, the film industry was buzzing with news of a showdown between Salman and Shah Rukh on the sets of the latter’s just launched film being directed by Aziz Mirza. At Film City, on the sets of Sunil Manchanda’s Tere Naam, Salman broke his silence. Excerpts from the conversation:

The writer-director of the Hollywood-Bollywood film Marigold, Willard Carroll has said that he zeroed in on you not just because you have a great screen-presence but also because you speak English with a particular western accent.
(Looking amused) He liked my accent?

He did. And what did you like about his film?
The first clause in my contract was that Asians in the film would be treated with a lot of respect. Willard loves India and he has watched a lot of Hindi movies. I think that he will be able to portray India and Asian culture the way it should be portrayed. Earlier too, I’d got a lot of offers from Hollywood but I wasn’t tempted because most of these films make us look like idiots.

Marigold is a romantic musical comedy. Reportedly, you have been collaborating on the script for nine months and many of your suggestions have been incorporated.
Yeah, I have been pretty much involved with the project. I’ve always wanted to make a musical. We don’t make very many musicals.

Talking of music, Tere Naam, we’re told, also has a to-rave-about score by Himesh Reshammiya.
It’s the most amazing track of the year and in the years to come. After a long time you have songs with lyrical value. The film itself is really amazing. It has all the different shades—action, music, romance and comedy. And an emotional climax that’ll have people walking out of the theatres really moved.

Tere Naam has been made earlier in Tamil and Kannada as Sethu and in Telugu too.Have you seen any of these South Indian versions.
No, I haven’t. There are a 100 ways to interpret a character and I want to interpret this character my way.

In real life love doesn’t exist. The word is need. If you need someone and the need is reciprocated it’s called love. But if you are madly in love with someone and the other person is not mad about you, you can kill yourself, and it still won’t matter to the other person because there is no need
So you accepted the film because the character appealed to you?
(Smiling) I accepted Tere Naam because I had no work. No, seriously, when the plot was narrated to me I quite liked it. Sunil Manchanda, the producer, is a friend and it’s been good fun working with him.

And what is it like being directed by Satish Kaushik?
(Chuckling) Satish Kaushik, apna Pappu Pager? He’s very sweet! I love working with him.

The film’s not a musical though, is it?
No, it’s a very beautiful love story. But I wouldn’t want something like this to happen to anyone. The last 15 minutes are really heart-wrenching. You’ll see another side to this boy who’s become almost an untouchable. It made me very sad!

Why?
Why? Well, because this guy, Radhey feels straight from the heart. He wants to do the right thing but is misunderstood by everyone, including the girl he loves. And ends up destroying his family and losing his friends. Eventually, though everyone realises his worth. Even the girl falls in love with him. But may be, by then it’s too late. Love conquers hate, breaks down all opposition despite being misunderstood.

You’re misunderstood too.
(Sarcastically) No, people understand me just fine, especially the press.

 Does the Tere Naam I-could-die-for-you kind of love exist in real life?
In real life love doesn’t exist. The word is need. If you need someone and the need is reciprocated it’s called love. But if you are madly in love with someone and the other person is not mad about you, it can make you madder but that too won’t make her love you. You can jump off the cliff, kill yourself, and it still won’t matter to the other person because there is no need. Even the love a mother feels for her child is rooted in need. The need to protect someone born of your blood!

But sometimes this need can become obsessive and self-destructive as it happened with Devdas.
I don’t think there was any conflict in Devdas. Devdas was a total loser. Even the person who’d written the novel (Sarat Chandra Chattopadhay) admitted that he had destroyed a whole generation with his story. Devdas’s love was not love in the true sense. Love means having the power to break down all opposition and winning over the girl, as Radhey does in Tere Naam. I’ve not seen Devdas but those who have have told me it was beautifully shot, that everyone wore amazing clothes but it didn’t make them cry. It didn’t bring tears which means no one cared what happened to Devdas, Paro and Chandramukhi. Love should touch you...

Which film, according to you, is a real love story?
In the romantic genre a film that made me cry was...(Thinks long and hard only to have his thoughts interrupted by Sunil Manchanda who quips, Tere Naam!) Yeah, Tere Naam. That’s a love story that will touch you. The film is in the genre of Ek Dujje Ke Liye, Khamoshi and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

Many people thought that Sameer, the character you played in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, should have got the girl, not her husband.
I had a problem initially with Sanjay (director Sanjay Bhansali) over this. He had told me that he wanted the film to end on a high. I asked him if he wanted a happy high or a depressive high. He wanted the latter. I pointed out to him that if he wanted a traditional film he should forget about love. But if he was making a love story then he had to break with tradition because love is above all that. You can get married to a person for a 100 reasons but you fall in love for only one reason. When two people who don’t even know each other, are complete strangers like Sameer and Nandini, fall in love it just happens. It’s karma! Had I made the film I’d have ended it differently.

I was never the first choice for Devdas but I was the last to know that I was not doing the film. Sanjay says he took Ash because she was going through her own personal problems and looked the character. I have no problems, so he didn’t take me
There were talks that you were Sanjay Bhansali’s first choice for Devdas.
I was never the first choice for Devdas but I was certainly the last person to know that I was not doing the film. I made two films with Sanjay Khamoshi and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. May be by the time he started work on Devdas he had outgrown me and wanted someone better. He says he took Ash because she was going through her own personal problems and looked the character. He must have taken Shah Rukh and Madhuri for the same reasons. I have no problems, so he didn’t take me.

Your last two films— Yeh Hai Jalwa and Tumko Naa Bhool Paayenge —didn’t do very well. Where did they go wrong?
Jalwa was an above average film. All the distributors made money. It was only the producer who suffered because he had a problem selling the film. The market is down and he had to compromise on the price. Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge was an amazing film but it didn’t do well. Today you don’t know what’s going to work. The stupidest films are doing good business and sensitive films have no takers. I’ve been in this business for 14-15 years and I still don’t know how it works even though I come from a writer’s family and have a certain amount of script sense. Fortunately, I have a pretty good track record. I’ve made about 80-85 films and only 9-10 have not done well.

The story of Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge was penned by you. Was the script to blame for the film’s non-success?
Yes, Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge was written by me, and I have to admit that may be it was slightly ahead of its time. It was good cinema...well shot. It was well conceived but perhaps it was not projected right. People didn’t understand the meaning and rejected the film. I think we slipped because the character was shown first as a Hindu and then as a Muslim...

You obviously feel very strongly about the communal issue. Why has it become such a burning problem?
Greed, that’s the reason. And illiteracy. Nowhere do Hindus and Muslims have problems living together. It is the politicians who bring up the communal issue with the people.

Obviously religion has never been a problem with your family.
No, it hasn’t. My father (Salim Khan) is a Muslim, a Pathan. My mother (Salma) is a Hindu, a Maratha and a Rajput. They got married 40 years ago and even then religion was not a problem. My grandparents were only opposed to the match because he was in films and they were worried about whether my father could take care of their daughter. He did. They had me, my brothers and my sister. Religion was never a question at home. My mother still visits temples...she also prays the namaaz. My father has had a mandir built in the house. My other mother (Helen) is a Catholic. No, religion was never a problem with our family.

What did you think of Sohail’s film that also tried to bridge religious differences?
I thought Maine Dil Tujhko Diya was a good film. Sohail was handling the responsibilities of a writer, producer and director and acting in the film too. And I think he did a great job. The film’s done well. Sohail’s been accepted as a hero which was what we wanted all along.

Apparently, you refused the part because you thought you were too old for the part?
Yeah, I thought I was five years too old. Sohail on the contrary, looked the character. And we all wanted him to play Ajay because even when he was narrating the story we could see how much he was into the character.

After so many years in showbiz what is the secret of your eternal youth?
(Smiling) I’m God’s favourite child. He’s my co-pilot!

No one’s offering me films anymore. They say they’re scared of me. I have to correct myself. It’s high time I did that. Everyone gets angry but where I’m concerned, things get blown out of all proportion. Stories are fabricated because no one bothers to crosscheck facts
Have you ever thought of directing a film?
When the theatres are totally empty, when my film releases to 10-20 per cent collections and I know my career as an actor is over, that’s when I’ll get into direction (Smiles).

You still have a long way to go as an actor but Tere Naam is one of the few films you’re doing. Why have you cut down so drastically on your work?
(Sarcastically) No one’s offering me films anymore. They say they’re scared of me. I have to correct myself. It’s high time I did that.

Today’s afternoon paper in Mumbai carried a report of how you threw a temper tantrum on the sets of Shah Rukh Khan’s film in Malshet. What’s your version?
I don’t need to explain anything! It’s my personal life. Even if I were to say I’m the best person on planet Earth and I don’t do things like these, would it change people’s perception of me?
It might.

Hey, if you want to know the kind of guy I am, talk to my family, my friends and the people who work with me. Everyone gets angry but where I’m concerned, things get blown out of all proportion. Stories are fabricated because no one bothers to crosscheck facts.

People are scared of you.
Not scared, petrified! (Sneers) If people were scared of me they wouldn’t write such things. On this very set there are at least a 100 people who are stronger than me. My producer, Sunil Manchanda who’s sitting right next to me, could grab my neck and squeeze and that would be the end of Salman Khan. So why should people worry about me and my explosive temper?

You’re saying there’s no truth in these rumours?
No, I’m not saying there’s no smoke without fire. I don’t know why it happens but there have been times when I behave erratically. But the only one I hurt at such times is myself. I bang my head...bash up my car...

That’s being masochistic?
When I’m hurt the anger builds up inside me and to let it out I end up hurting myself. I punch the wall...bang my head against it...

What about the rumours of you hitting Aishwarya?
I’ve never raised a hand on her. Not ever!

And you didn’t strip and make a public exhibition of yourself?
What is stripping? Even in my films I’m bare bodied. Only minutes ago, I was roaming around without my shirt and no one objected. No one accused me of being an exhibitionist. That’s the way I am and if removing my shirt in public is against the law, then let someone come and arrest me for indecent behaviour.

So what really happened in Pune?
(Glowers) I went to this stupid dhaba which was 40 miles from God knows where. It’s a wonder how anybody could find the place...But why am I bothering with explanations? You guys are not going to believe me no matter what I say. So I won’t say anything! You can write what you want. It’s only a story for you. The people who’re important to me know who I am and how I am. So there’s no point in justifying my behaviour.

Everybody has fights. The biggest stars fight. Things get blown up. But no one is hurt professionally. I’m being targeted because I don’t bend. I don’t break. I don’t cater to anyone’s needs. And there’s nothing anyone hates more than not to be needed
You owe an explanation to your fans?
My fans love me no matter what’s written about me. You can ask any guy or girl who’s growing up if that’s true. Check out the gyms. They’re all full because I’ve inspired youngsters to take care of themselves.

And your family, how do they react to such stories about you?
They react very badly...they’re upset and hurt. And I’m to blame for that! I’m being targeted because I don’t bend. I don’t break. I don’t suck up to people. Whether it’s a successful producer or a journalist I don’t entertain anyone. I don’t cater to their needs. And there’s nothing anyone hates more than not to be needed.

The care-a-damn attitude has earned you the reputation of a brat.
People call it arrogance but I call it self-respect. I’m not openly disrespectful to anyone If someone older comes into the room I immediately stand up. I’ve been taught to be respectful. But what happens if the other person is not deserving of my respect? If he provokes me unnecessarily? I may take it 10...12..100 times. And then I’ll tell him to back off. That’s the rudest thing I’ve said.

You’ve admitted just a while ago that you want to change, grow into a better person?
(Thoughtfully) May be I should change. I will change if my family is at stake. Actually you’re changing everyday. Growing older...growing up. And the process never stops...

The stories persist however.
There’s a girl involved now. Her parents are involved. Her reputation is involved. That’s why I’ve chosen to remain silent. I’ve not spoken before and I won’t speak now...

Even if your behaviour affects her career adversely?
Everybody has fights. The biggest stars fight. Things get blown up. But no one is hurt professionally. Nothing is going to affect her career. It didn’t affect mine, did it?

—Roshmila Bhattacharya
roshmila@hotmail.com

[Savera]

The Rediff Interview

Kyon ki he's Salman Khan

On Sunday, October 30, Salman Khan met the media to promote his new film, Kyon Ki. The film is directed by Priyadarshan and also stars Kareena Kapoor and Rimii Sen. Jewellery maker D'damas is also associated with the film to promote its brand.

While Kareena did not attend, Salman was evidently not in a good mood. His answers to the media seemed quite strange. One could not help but wonder whether the event was organised to promote the film or to insult the media.

Syed Firdaus Ashraf takes on Salman the way he saw the star.

What is your role in Kyon Ki?

Salman: Same role. I play the same kind of roles all the time.

Our Take: Salman has become overconfident that his films will do well despite what the press writes about him.

Tell us about Priyadarshan's other film, which is releasing on the same day as Kyon Ki?

Salman: Which film is that?

Our Take: Salman feels Priyan's other film Garam Masala may do better than Kyon Ki. After all, that's a comedy, while Kyon Ki is a serious film. Besides, Salman's fans prefer him in comedy roles.

How long you plan to do romantic films?

Salman: Till the time they run. We will see later.

Our Take: Salman turns 40 this December, and he's balding and gaining weight. He may not be able to carry on as the romantic 'young' man for long.

Kyon Ki is a love story like Tere Naam. What is the difference between the two?

Salman: Tere Naam was directed by Satish Kaushik and Kyon Ki by Priyadarshan.

Our Take: Thanks for enlightning us on that crucial detail!

Priyadarshan says your acting is one of the best performances of your career.

Salman: That is shocking news to me.

Our Take: We're shocked too.

Why should one see Kyon Ki?

Salman: The film has no vulgarity, no exposure and it is a decent film.

Our Take: Finally, an answer that makes sense.

What are you doing this Diwali?

I am going to my house in Panvel. I would like to advice everyone to keep a distance from the bottle when you light a rocket. Also, see that the rocket does not enter anyone's house. Don't burst big bombs like the rassi bomb. Burst the sutli bomb instead. And don't roam barefoot, as you may get burnt. Wear slippers.

Our Take: The only good answer!

How do you feel about the fact that D'damas is associating with Kyon Ki?

Salman: Thank God it was not Nirma soaps.

Our Take: Good bye, Mr Khan.

[wannabe]

 'I don't have problems working with Ash'
   By: Mayank Shekhar
   July 19, 2003

TALKING POINT: Salman Khan in Tere Naam
This is a conversation that doesn’t even begin with a laconic hello, carries on and ends on the same note. A friendly, “You’ve coloured your hair!� is met with, “Hmm… so?�

Clearly, Salman Khan isn’t interested in talking to the press, and as some expletives hurled suggest, he quite clearly doesn’t give a damn to what they write. His latest nightmare is his next near back-to-back releases: Lucky, Baghban and Dil Churake Chal Diya.

Effectively, he cannot avoid scribes, for his producers will probably force him to meet his promotion obligations. What this mainstay of two of the biggest hits in Indian cinema can do, is look away, answer in snappy sentences, meander in incoherence and appear so disinterested that were you me, you’d rather chat with yourself.

The last couple of years have kept Khan busy for all the wrong reasons. He says he hasn’t lost any friends, though. We ask him to list them:

“They’re not from the industry. Some of them who are, are Sanju (Sanjay Dutt), Mohnish (Behl)…� Of course, bete-noire Vivek Oberoi won’t figure.

And we’re not sure if Aishwarya Rai would. On rumours that the two might get paired in a film, he says, “Didn’t she tell everyone she won’t work with me? I don’t have any such problems.�

Khan does have a problem here, getting interviewed. Excerpts from this disenchanted tete-a-tete that we struggled through.

Your next release Tere Naam’s tagline reads: “Unfortunately A True Love Story�. Rumours abound (if not planted) is that this is a story of your own love life. Any basis to the rumours?

It’s an ‘unfortunate love story.’ The film is a remake of Sethu, which was made in Telegu or Tamil. I liked the script and I did it. The trouble is now that I have a host of films lined up I’ll have to speak to journalists, who will ask me only about other people.

The reason they ask you about other people is to get a reaction to what others have said about you. Have you called Vivek Oberoi since his grand press conference?

(Looks away). I don’t know. I don’t care… People need to talk about me to push themselves ahead. Let them, I don’t have a problem.

A few years ago, everyone in the industry had decided to ban the press, it lasted three days. I have decided not to speak. Why segregate? I won’t talk to anyone. Do you like talking about yourself? Half a billion fans are not interested in reading about me.

Do you regret being a public figure?

No, I don’t regret being a public figure. There are so many things I couldn’t do if I wasn’t Salman Khan, like get involved in causes…

Which are these causes?

(Shrugs) I don’t want to talk about them.

What about reported incidences in which you’ve been involved — fracas etc. Are they false?

Which ones are you talking about?

There are too many. Barging onto the sets of Rohan Sippy’s film (where Aishwarya Rai was shooting with Abhishek Bachchan).

Why don’t you ask Rohan Sippy or Abhishek Bachchan what happened?

You mean nothing happens and reports are figments of the scribes’ imagination?

Little things get blown of proportion.

Then why don’t you offer an explanation when such stories appear?

Why should I? So that they can write some more and all my life I’ll keep giving interviews? They make good copies. And however many times they may write that Salman is bad, they still make their bread and butter from me.

Let them publish whatever rubbish they want to. At the end of the day, there are only two things that will **** everything up for me: I and God.

You’re turning 39. In an interview you mentioned you’d forever play the lover boy dancing around trees. Do you still feel the same?

Yes I still feel the same. I am 47! Age is a state of mind.

How is your Bandra hit-and-run case progressing in the court?

It’s not a hit and run case. I didn’t hit anyone, I wasn’t even driving. And I didn’t run away. I went right the next day to the police station and produced myself. They say I should be treated like a layman. A layman gets a bail on Rs 950. It’s a case of culpable homicide.

Culpable homicide amounting to murder, what is your prime defence-argument in the case.

Do you think it was culpable homicide?

Is that your argument?

That I drove with the intention of killing someone? Ten years imprisonment? I will face whatever the justice system ordains for me.

What happened to your home production film on Ramayan in which you are slated to play Ram?

It’ll probably start in 2005. It’s a major venture, and to do justice to the project, we might as well do it right, than in a hurry.

http://web.mid-day.com/entertainment/news/2003/july/58967.htm

[wannabe]

An interview with Salman Khan
   By: Anil Thakraney
   July 20, 2003

When a ‘problem’ actor meets a ‘problem’ journalist, unpleasant scenes could get enacted, and they sure did. People have walked on me before (Togadia and Shahabuddin… well, at least they have one thing in common now!) but this is the first time I have been asked to walk.

A confession: I ‘back-doored’ Salman into a personal interview, so you have to view his resentment toward me in that context. The meet was all about discussing his forthcoming film, Tere Naam, but to be honest, that was the last thing on my mind.

And I do not regret it (extraordinary situations call for extraordinary means, remember?), simply because the macho star has locked himself away from the media and is totally inaccessible.

He does weird things but never cares to explain his position. And I strongly disagree with this habit of his. Because whether Salman recognises it or not, he is a much-loved movie star with a massive fan-following, whose actions and deeds set precedents for the public, and he has come damn close to making girlfriend-bashing, drunk-driving and buck-killing look like ‘cool’ things in the eyes of a million dudes.

I wait for Salman on the sets of the yet untitled movie he is doing with Cinevista. His brother, Arbaaz, who also features in the film, is already present.

Salman arrives an hour late, and insists on chilling on the studio lawns for a bit, over many cigarettes and lengthy chats on the cell. We finally begin talking in his snazzy, totally happening mobile van, all of two hours behind schedule.

Is Tere Naam inspired from your own life?

This is the stupidest question I have been asked… people are deliberately asking me this question. And one of these days I am going to lose it. So let me make this very clear: it is a remake of a South film called Sethur. And it was made thrice over there… in Malayalam, in Tamil, and in Telugu.

Have you put any of your own money into the project?

No. Sunil Manchanda is the producer.

Does the movie have a happy ending?

It’s a nice ending. But it’s tragic.

Huh?

I mean, it’s a happy ending, but it’s tragic.

Does the boy get the girl, or what?

For that, you will have to see the film. Would you like to see a film jiska climax aapko already pataa hai?

Any interesting anecdotes from during the shoot?

There was this one incident with Satish Kaushik. We were laughing and joking, and suddenly the press started calling Kaushik, and asking if “Salman beat you up�. That was quite funny till it got blown out of proportion. People started calling me, worried, and then I had to clarify it all… didn’t want another controversy.

You have spent over a decade in the industry, you are pushing 40. What sort of roles would you be seeking from here on?

Nothing. I will do whatever comes my way… whichever role that I feel I can do easily, without putting any effort.

Aren’t you tired of the running-around-trees sort of roles?

I haven’t done any running around trees.

Well, haven’t seen all your films, but Hum Aapke Hain Kaun…! was sort of like that, wasn’t it?

That’s not running around trees… that’s our culture, brother. That was the most beautiful thing about Hum Aapke Hain Kaun…! What do you want us to do… make porn films?

I meant more meaningful cinema.

Come on, what could be more meaningful than the whole family being together, the sacrifice, the love, the blood… doing the right things. You cannot get any more meaningful than that.

I meant offbeat roles, different genre of cinema, stuff that, say, a Jack Nicholson does in Hollywood.

I don’t want to do negative roles. I want to do good roles without preaching… stuff that you can learn from. It’s like a comedy film that people would enjoy and have something to learn from.

What can you possibly learn from Hum Aapke Hain Kaun!?

Have you seen the film?

Yes

What did you learn from it?

Don’t recall learning anything.

You didn’t see joint families in that? You didn’t see the sacrifice of the brother? How the wife takes over the whole house? And how she’s loved.

All that’s been done to death, Salman, even on our television. It’s boring.

(A trifle irritated.) So what kind of films do you want us to make? Hannibal and cannibal… Silence of the Lambs.

Why not? I actually meant more evolved, unconventional cinema.

Like About Schmidt?

Yeah.

Who’s interested in that? Who’ll come and see it?

Point is, have you even considered moving on to newer forms of cinema?

No.

Let’s move on. Onto your own life… are you a happy man now?

Let’s stick to Tere Naam.

I cannot meet you and not ask some personal questions. They are important, and need to be asked.

I don’t want to talk about my life.

But people are interested in you. You are a movie star.

That doesn’t mean I have to talk about my personal life.

You are a public figure, Salman.

(Interrupts.) So are you! You want me to interview you and get your whole life on paper for people to read?

Sounds wow, except that no one would be interested in my life.

Okay, even if four people were interested, would you like them to read about your life?

There is no comparison, you are a hot movie star… an interesting subject.

I don’t want to talk about my personal life.

Okay let’s do this. I will ask, respond only if you want to.

(Reluctantly) Okay. Go on.

Are you a happy man?

Yes, very happy.

You love the tough guy image?

No! But you can be weak yet tough from inside.

You are known to beat people up on whim. Rishi Kapoor’s son comes to mind.

I think you should speak to Rishi Kapoor’s son to understand what happened. It’s the same way they (the media) made it seem about Abhishek and me. So they have some problems in their heads, and they see me as someone who keeps getting into fights.

That is done to sell their newspapers, and has nothing to do with my image building.

Do you think you are a misunderstood person?

No, I am totally understood. By my family and friends, and even by those people who write about me. People, who just misquote and mis-use me.

So I am not the one responsible for that image. I haven’t given it. Whatever I have done in my personal life, has been at home or in front of four people. And where does this get carried? To the whole country.

Next. There has been oft-repeated suggestion that Salman Khan needs medical counselling. Would you like to react?

No.

Ever been in counselling?

No.

Do you think Vivek Oberoi over-reacted to your calls?

(Long pause) That’s his reaction.

Have you guys patched up?

I don’t know the guy.  (Gets a bit agitated now.) Listen, you have asked your questions, now you can write what the hell you want to write, and I think you should leave now.

But…

I don’t understand why you are asking me these questions.

I am hoping you will open up, and once and for all clarify things from your side.

Why should I open up to you? Are you my dad, are you my mum, are you my best buddy?

I am the media.

Sorry, don’t want to open up.

Did you make those 41 calls to him?

Next.

(The next question involves Ash. Salman gets upset… he abruptly rises from his seat and walks out of the van, shouting out for his PRO, who is standing outside with other members of the crew. I am left alone in the fancy machine, like a rejected bride in a 5-star mandap.

After a few moments, the PRO announces that the star wants to see my question-sheet before any further progress. I decline. At this, I am very politely led out of the van. The meeting is done. I wish Salman the best, and depart.

Half way out of the complex, Mr PRO comes charging after me and says his boss has a change of heart. “He wants you to finish your interview because he thinks you are a nice guy.� Without waiting for the compliment to sink in, I dart back before the mind is changed again, and rush through the remaining questions in the lawn itself.)

Did it hurt when Ash spoke out against you in the media?

(Pause) She must have been upset. She isn’t going to recite poetry when she’s upset. People have different reactions. I have no problems with her at all.

Did you, at any stage, feel she was leading you on?

(Pause.) No. There’s nothing wrong with Ash. I think she’s a very nice person.

What is the status of the accident case?

It’s still in court.

Have you compensated the dead man’s family?

Yes.

How much did you give them?

I think we gave them something like 21 lakh.

You recall the name of the gentleman who got killed?

Nooru. Noorul.

You met his family?

I am not allowed to meet his family.

Were you driving drunk that night?

No, not at all. I wasn’t even driving.

Who was driving then?

My driver.

Media reports indicate you were at the wheel.

I don’t know.

Why didn’t you clarify it?

Tried to do it, but no one was ready to listen at that point. When he got to know that I was going in, my driver went to the cop station and said that he was driving.

Was the prison experience humbling? Did it change you in any way?

No, nothing. I was in for something I didn’t do, so it did not affect me at all.

How did you feel during the Gujarat riots?

First thing I did was give them a cheque of Rs 21 lakh.

To whom.

To… to…  (hesitates… looks in the direction of Arbaaz, seated close-by, but he too looks unsure)… to some political party.

What did you feel as a human being?

This was not right, from any standards… create problems between human beings… kill people. It’s all bullshit. War sucks. Hate f***ing war.

What does Salman Khan think should happen in Ayodhya?

I don’t know… I don’t know the problem that much.

Oh, it’s simple. Should a Mandir be built at the disputed site, or a Masjid? Or something else?

(Thinks) I don’t know… it’s their problem.

As a citizen of the country, what do you want?

(Thinks again) See, I don’t know the whole problem.

Do you read newspapers, magazines?

Yes, yes, I do.

So you must be aware of the problem.

I am… but there’s a lot of internal stuff. Basically, I don’t know the history behind the place. Perhaps they could open a home for the aged, or something.

You had a happy childhood?

Yes, I would live my life 10 times all over again, the same way.

Never had a problem with your dad in the formative years?

No. My dad and me are best friends.

Did he ever physically hit the boys when you were young?

Oh yes, we used to get beaten up when we did wrong. That’s very normal.

If there’s one thing you really regret about your life, what would it be?

Nothing.

You don’t think you ever blundered?

Sometimes you make mistakes, learn from your mistakes and don’t make those mistakes again. If you never made those mistakes, you’d never learn.

Any what-was-I-thinking regrets?

(Smiles the killer Khan smile.) Maybe I should never have called you back!

( There could be one of two reasons why Salman called me back. One: He did not want to risk offending a journalist, not after so much has happened in his life. Two: There is a kind little soul hiding inside the beefy, ‘bad-attitude’ hunk. I would like to believe it is the latter.)

http://web.mid-day.com/news/city/2003/july/59043.htm

[mrs. k]

Here 's a link to the transcript for Salman's press conference at the Mirage Banquet Hall in Edison NJ on April 28, 2006 to promote the Rockstars show.

http://missusk.livejournal.com/811.html

I posted it there because it is very long and unexpurgated!!!

[guruduttfan]

interesting interview from 2002..from around the time when his world was falling apart


fascinating actually..






I've never beaten Ash' says Salman



By: S Ramachandran
Mid Day Sep 18 2002

Salman Khan walks into the sets of Tere Naam. He is a bit angry. He has just heard about an article about him beating up Aishwarya Rai and abusing Aziz Mirza and Shah Rukh Khan in Mid Day.
After sitting next to director Satish Kaushik, he asks for a copy, goes through it again and again reading it aloud. Then he takes off his shirt and walks around with bodyguard in tow. The producer Sunil Manchanda then talks to him and brings him for an interview.

Salman puts his shirt on and fields questions. His answers are laced with sarcasm as he also enjoys a bit of his wit as he answers questions about his work and personal life. Excerpts from an interview.

Why did you sign Tere Naam?
Because I had no work. (laughs). I liked the script. It is a very good film.

Tell us about working with director Satish Kaushik?
Pappu Pager? (Kaushik’s name in a few films). He is a very sweet guy. This is my first and last film with him (laughs).

We believe that the music by Himesh Reshammiya is very good.
Indeed. The music will kick ass. It is very melodious and has a lot of lyrical value.

What is your role in Tere Naam?
There is a boy who falls in love with a simple girl and goes out of his way for her. He loses everything in life including his friends. But he gets the girl in the end. He has been regarded like a total untouchable. But suddenly his worth is known when he goes ahead and gives his life for the girl. She thinks he is wrong, but she realises everything about him in the last 15 minutes.

Is it same in your personal life? Do you feel that you have been misinterpreted too?
Not at all. People understand me very well, especially the press. (laughs)

Don’t you feel the need to clarify?
I don’t need to go and explain anything to anyone. My family and people who know me know the truth. I don’t need to tell anyone what has been happening. But all these things said and written about me add up. I let it go as a part of life.


What would you compare Tere Naam to?
It is a film in the genre of Ek Duuje Ke Liye or even Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. But I did not agree with the ending in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Sanjay Bhansali told me that he wanted a depressive high. But frankly, I feel that love is above all traditions. But if you are making a traditional film, then f*** love.

Nandini (Aishwarya) should have left her husband and gone with the guy she loved (Salman). Her husband (Ajay Devgan) was like god to her for what he did. If I had made Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, I would have let her go with the guy she loved.   


What is your take on love?
I don’t think that there is a word called love. There is a word called ‘need’. A girl will not reciprocate the love, till she feels the need for the guy. Even if he says that he wants to jump off the cliff, she will ask him to go ahead and do it.


What about the love in Devdas?
That is not love. It is a film about a loser. The writer of the book himself realised that he had destroyed an entire generation.

Why didn’t you do Devdas?
I was the last person to know that I am not doing Devdas. I did two films with Sanjay Leela Bhansali. By the end of that, he had outgrown me. He needed a much better actor to play the role.

What about Aishwarya? Did she fit the role?
I have not seen Devdas. But Sanjay felt that she was going through a lot of trouble and was suited for her character. Ditto with Shah Rukh and Madhuri. I am the only one who does not have any problems. So I did not get that role.

But you do get emotional…
Emotional problems don’t have any logic. If someone is emotional, he is. The person next to him is helping control his anger.
   
You have not been able to control your anger.
I do get emotional. But then I hurt myself. I have banged my head against the wall, I have hurt myself all over. I cannot hurt anyone else. I have only hit Subhash Ghai. Yet, I apologised to him the next day.
There are times when you do get out of control. That person hit me with a spoon, almost broke a plate on my face, pissed on my shoes and grabbed me by the neck. I could not control myself. And see what happened. Next day, I had to go and apologise.I have not beaten up anyone else.

What about the story in Mid Day? Is it true?
Every word of it is true. I don’t want to clarify anything.

Have you beaten up Aishwarya?
No. I have never beaten her. Anyone can beat me up. Any fighter here on the sets can thrash me. That is why people are not scared of me.

Don’t you think your anger can ruin her career?
Nothing has happened to my career. Her career will also be fine.

What about the heroine of this film Bhoomika? Is she scared of you?
After she reads what has been written about me in Mid Day today, she must be very scared of me.


You mean to say that you are being victimised by the media.
Indeed. I don’t suck up to journalists, I don’t throw parties and entertain people.

You have also been accused of stripping in public?
What is stripping? Even now, I have been walking without my shirt on. I don’t have my shirt on in some films. I cycle without my shirt on.

What went wrong with your last film Tumko Na Bhool Payenge?
I liked Tumko Na Bhool Payenge a lot. I really don’t know what was the problem.
There was the aspect of the Muslim guy being a Hindu in the film. You can either be a Muslim or a Hindu. I realised that you cannot mix up the religions.
   
You seem to have a strong viewpoint on religion.
I don’t see any problems between Hindus and Muslims. The reason for the differences is greed. There are some greedy politicians who want to get the Hindus and Muslims fighting against each other.
My father is a Muslim. My mother (Salma) was a Hindu ? a half-Maratha and half-Rajput Dogra. They have been living together for so many years. My other mother (Helen) is Catholic…

Tell us about your brother Sohail Khan…
He is very good. He has been accepted as an actor. He has passed that test. He has been handling four departments. The film has done well.
You were to do the role that he did.
We wanted him to do that role. The role fitted him well. I was like five years too ahead to do that role. 

Tell us about Marigold...
I have been offered other roles in Hollywood before. But the roles are such that you are made to look like an idiot. Indians are never offered proper roles. But the one in Marigold was quite good.
The director, Willard, loves India a lot and has been here before. That is what made me accept the film. He was keen to make a musical.
I did offer inputs as I have been in the industry for around 15 years now and know quite a bit about it.


20020919

[Tanvi87]

hi...
i'm new in this forum so I can make some mistakes
I would to tell something about Sallu.
In my country bollywood isn't very popular. but if anyone knows this, he or she loves Kajol and SRK. I saw few movies wiht Sal and I think he's my idol. 

[guruduttfan]

hi...
i'm new in this forum so I can make some mistakes
I would to tell something about Sallu.
In my country bollywood isn't very popular. but if anyone knows this, he or she loves Kajol and SRK. I saw few movies wiht Sal and I think he's my idol. 

hi tanvi welcome!

this is the salman khan thread  http://bollywhat.com/forum/index.php?topic=5837.525

please do tell all about sallu! which are your favorite salman movies?

[sirf_mein]

Just generally now that Salmans older he seems a little happier, if calmer. He knows the right things to say wheras before he got really sarcastic, sometimes a little rude. Often in bad moods during interviews. But now that's all cleared up. He's way more mature now..even if that maturity did take a little long to come. 

[Anamika]

Friday October 20, 03:33 PM  INTERVIEW
Fit-n-Forty
   
HeÂ’s been called the Bad Boy of filmdomÂ’s reigning Khan trinity. Salman talks to Shekhar Gupta, Editor-in-Chief, The Indian Express on NDTVÂ’s Walk The Talk programme, about weathering the cases and controversies, his kind of films, and being fit. Excerpts from the interface...

Shekhar Gupta: I notice that you have only grown three years younger.
Salman Khan: Thank you , Sir.

SG:And more muscular. You have been working on yourself.
SK: I have just started training again.

SG: I remember last time I was pulling your leg about setting a bad example for young people with some of your activities. You said, look it is because you hit the gym and built this body that a lot of youngsters are doing it.
SK: Well, that's true and I have started hitting it again. I have not been training for quite some time. I saw everyone else may be a lot younger or a lot older, but a lot fitter. So I am out to give them a run for their money.

SG: You look younger, but you are in the first year of your forties and I am in the last and that's a sobering thought.
SK: No, I am going to be just the way I am for another forty years. I want to come out of college at the age of eighty and say "Maa, maa... Main pass ho gaya, first class..."

SG: Insha Allah, on a bike, I presume, because that's your new love.
SK: Yeah, I like riding. I don't drive anymore, Sir.

SG: Last time we talked, you were close to the release of Tere Naam. Now, there's another one, Jaan-E-Mann. But last time it was your big comeback, you had been in the doldrums. What has changed since then? Have you mellowed down or have you hardened up?
SK: There is no reason to mellow down or to harden up. People have a perception about me that the poor guy has suffered so much... I can understand that Sanju has gone through a lot with his cases that, Insha Allah, will be settled very soon. I will have to pay the price for whatever the government or the judge decides. But I have not gone through anything, basically. My parents, friends and career, everything is fine.

SG: Do you reflect sometimes that you could have done some things more carefully or that you had not done something?
SK: No, not really. All that stuff that happened in my life six, seven or eight years ago, now that the truth has started coming out, people have started realising that they did wrong to me. My press image was bad because I did not speak to them.

SG: And you never wooed the media?
SK: No, why should I? The media does not have the power to make or break anybody. The media tried its best to break me. I didn't break, my family didn't crack, my fans didn't go away.

SG: Do you feel the media has been harsh on you?
SK: In the black buck case, people know now that they cannot do it any longer. Today, wildlife has increased because people are scared. In the car accident case, everybody including my driver said that I wasn't driving but it was on to me because it makes news. But then, 70 to 75 percent cases of drinking and driving have stopped.

SG: You mean to say that people said, if a star like Salman can get into trouble, anybody can get into trouble?
SK: Exactly. But now people are saying that because you are Salman Khan the whole thing happened to you. When it happens to a common man, nothing happens. There are about 4,000 accidents every month in which nothing happens to anybody.

SG: You are saying that in a twisted sort of way both these controversies helped?
SK: Yeah, for the people.

SG: And saved some black bucks as well.
SK: Well, it is a beautiful animal and it should be saved.

SG: I get a lot of mail and people wonder what kind of justice this is. Salman Khan is in trouble for shooting a black buck and Jessica Lall has been shot dead but nobody is convicted.

SK: Everybody has come with their own destiny. Somebody might go scot-free and I might be put behind bars for five years. Nothing is in my hands. The only thing is, my parents would be hurt.

SG: Are there things you could have done differently?
SK: I could have opened a Salman Khan foundation but I didn't know how to go about it. I am starting it right now. All I know is how to face the camera and that's why my cases are all messed up.

SG: There are three Khans in the industry. Shah Rukh has done Swades and Aamir has done Rang De Basanti and Lagaan. You have done great romantic hits. Is that by design or do you regret that you have not done anything that has been critically acclaimed nationally or globally?
SK: No, Sir, the people who came to me, I have worked with them. Whatever I got, I chose the best from that. As for critical acclaim, I don't care much about that.

SG: But every star has a legacy. What is yours?
SK:I would like everybody to make movies along Doordarshan guidelines.

SG: What are these guidelines?
SK: Oh, no sex and kisses. I know that everything has become modern, but the generation of grandparents and great-grandparents is still alive.

SG: I can't let you go without speaking on the two other Khans, forget Kadar Khan for a moment.
SK: Shah Rukh will do whatever it takes him to survive because he is the only working person in his family. It's okay for him to go out and prove that he is the best because he is the best. Aamir is a very, very clean guy. He is very dedicated, very correct and very principled. And he has the most amazing will-power that I have seen.

SG: Distance yourself for a moment and describe yourself.
SK: I am a little bit of the devil and I have a lot of good stuff too. The bad stuff comes out, the good stuff I am keeping for later.

SG: All the best, Salman. Ride carefully, live carefully and keep making more hits.
SK:Thank you, sir.

source: http://in.movies.yahoo.com/061020/201/68npt.html

[mrs. k]

Salman Khan: “I’m 41, but I’m fit both mentally and physically!

http://movies.indiatimes.com/quickies/543838.cms


Friends of Salman Khan swear by him. Those outside the Khan circle of trust don’t matter. He’s loved and loved-to-be-hated with equal fervour. And though people say he’s mellowed, Salman remains a dormant volcano. Ask him why he’s still single and he questions defensively. “Are you married?� When we say we’re not celebs and people aren’t interested, he grins, “I’m interested; I want to know why you aren’t married. I know my reasons why, I want to know yours.� Can’t argue with that.


We switch to his upcoming birthday. How does it feel to be on the other side of 40? “I’m 41, but I don’t feel it. I run and cycle 10 km everyday,â€� he’s proud of his obvious fitness. It’s like he reads our mind, “I’m fit.  Both mentally and physically. My eyesight is intact, heart pumps well and both kidneys are fine!â€� he says mischievously.


It makes us wonder. The top stars in Bollywood- Aamir, Shah Rukh, Sanjay Dutt and Salman were all in the 40s; and still ruling the roost. Shouldn’t they open the door to some newcomers? He states, “We’re not stopping anyone.

They’re welcome to topple us. Infact, we have so many newcomers coming in everyday. They can strike gold anytime.� he avers.
 

Talking of which, how come he took risks with a movie like Babul, where he isn’t the central character? “It was the beauty of the subject. It tells the story of widow remarriage. It needs guts to make a movie like that. It’s a film that’ll appeal to the rural areas too. When I heard the subject I told Ravi Chopra I was willing to play any character in the film,� he avers.


In Baghban he played Amitabh’s adopted son and in here he’s the real son; did they make a good father-son duo? He’s candid, “More than me, Mr Bachchan and Abhishek look super together onscreen. They have amazing real life chemistry as father and son; they’re more like friends. I’ve yet to see a relationship like that!� We decide to broach the taboo topic of an apparent cold vibe between him and Babul co-star. One who’d been praising him all over?


“Who are you talking about? Please take his name. Can you see any difference in my body language? (he smiles and looks at himself)� When we say ‘John Abraham’, he looks poker-faced, “Haan, John! I must say he makes politically correct statements! What did he say?� We ask him to guess who John considered his ‘fitness icon’ and Salman, in a rare display of his incredible humour says with straight face, “Who? Anil Kapoor?� ‘Salman Khan’ we say and the expression stays straight, “Say thanks to him!"


We ask if the ultimate macho hero counts John as one with a good physique too and he adds, “Well, there are a whole lot of new actors, Dino, Ashmit etc. … John is fit, but I think he was fitter earlier. Infact, he’s lost lot of weight.� Changing lanes, we quiz the hunky Khan if, like SRK’s Don, did he also have a dream role he’d like to reprise? The answer is quick, “Ganga Jamuna, I’ve always wanted to do that.

But I know I won’t be able to carry it. I’ll probably mess it up. In fact, I keep telling Shah Rukh he should do it.�


Was he upset that Jaan-e-Mann didn’t fare as well as Don? Salman is generous, “Arre, kya Karen! Shah Rukh saab promoted his film so much that he didn’t give us a chance.� Well, he was among the star attendees too at the premiere of Don, inspite of his film releasing the same day? “Yeah! Since the original film was written by my dad. But after watching the film, I realized it was a completely different film. They should’ve called it Bond,� he laughs.

Finally, we ask him of his ‘distance’ from big banners and he shrugs, “What to do? All these big filmmakers don’t want to work with me. They think I’m a difficult actor to deal with.�

‘Misunderstood?’ we query? “That’s a wrong notion; I’m a fully understood guy … and if you are talking about the media, let me say, I love them, but I think they hate me!�

[2hapyft]

Friday December 8, 11:45 AM An interview with Salman Khan   
By Taran Adarsh

He's in a cheerful mood as he interacts with the global media in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Salman Khan is in the city to attend the premiere of BAABUL and also perform at the Provogue G.I.F.A. Awards on 9th December. The actor rarely talks to the media, but when he does, you don't want him to stop. His answers are laced with humor and wit and if he knows you aren't 'messing' with him by asking him personal questions, he shoots straight from the heart. In a heart-to-heart talk, Salman introduces you to a side he rarely opens up to.

Let's start with JAAN-E-MANN. What went wrong with the film?

JAAN-E-MANN lost out on emotions. The moment people start noticing the technique more than the story or the emotional side to a film, you know it's gone on a wrong track. Too much of technique doesn't work.

Why didn't you voice your opinion then? I am sure, knowing your background [son of an accomplished writer and also starting your career as an assistant director], people would tend to take your suggestions seriously.

I did express my opinion. But it's up to the director to accept it or reject it. At times, people think I am an idiot [winks and smiles mischievously]. Seriously, I recall telling Priyan [Priyadarshan] at the start of KYON KI... itself that it's not going to work. I knew all through. Priyan called me after the first show and said that I was correct.

I strongly feel JAAN-E-MANN is your finest performance to date.

Thank you. But I'd like to give the credit to the director. I do what I am asked to.

You're being modest.

Trust me, I am not! I submitted completely to the character. I did exactly what Shirish [Kunder] asked me to. The reason why the character worked was because of the bonding between the father and his daughter. He loved his wife, yes, but when he learnt that she had delivered a baby, he was a different man completely. And the emotions came out beautifully on the screen.

Let's talk about BAABUL. Do you relate to the story?

Of course! Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing the film. Tell me, why do people force a man to remarry when his wife expires? And why do we have different set of rules when a woman loses her husband? Why do we want her to take on life single-handedly? Why can't she have the freedom to remarry and lead a happy life all over again? That's what BAABUL asks and that's what attracted me to the film.

How's your equation with Bachchan Sr.?

Great! We share a terrific rapport.

You've worked with him in the past in BAGHBAN and in BAABUL now.

Oh yes! In BAGHBAN, the relationship between the two of us was of a senior person and his adopted son. An element of respect was visible in every scene. In BAABUL, the two are buddies.

A section of the film industry feels [that includes me as well] that Salman can give a run for the money to the best in the business if he gets more aggressive vis-a-vis his career and patches up with the media. You agree?

Taran, you're cornering me now [laughs aloud].

Okay, let me alter the question slightly. You didn't promote JAAN-E-MANN as aggressively as SRK promoted DON.

I did promote the film, I did my best.

You liked DON?

I watched the film at the premiere. I was keen to watch it since my father had penned the original. Those who'd watched the original with Mr. Bachchan were keen to watch the new version with Shah Rukh. And the new generation was keen to see him play Don.

You haven't answered my question yet.

It was different from the original. It was akin to a new film.

On a personal note, when are you getting married?

May be in the next 15/20/25 years [laughs again].

Anything you'd like to change in your life? Do you regret anything?

I'd never like to change anything. I am very, very proud of my life!

http://in.movies.yahoo.com/061208/24/6a4lh.html

[mrs. k]

A life less ordinary

by Seema Sinh

http://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?page=article&sectid=30&contentid=20070307025229562c70b6490


In an exclusive interview, Salman Khan (who's normally allergic to interviews) has a free-wheeling chat with Seema Sinha about marriage, love, acting, SRK and yes, John Abraham.

Salman Khan takes you by surprise when you ask him whether he plans to tie the knot soon. "Marriage? I don't know. Did you know when you would get married?" is his spontaneous reaction. After a pause he adds, "Are you married? No? Then get married, what are you doing?" Finally, he gets down to answering the question: "Jab hoti hai shaadi toh ho jaati hai. (When marriage has to happen, it happens.)"

He seems to be in the mood to go on, on the topic of marriage. "There are various reasons and ways one would get married. It could be for love, it could be arranged, or then it could be for children. I know the reason why I would get married, or why I wouldn't get married. You choose one appropriate reason and get married. You marry first and then I will follow suit." (This last is accompanied by a mischievous grin.)

It's only acting, not rocket science

Salman's casual yet committed approach is appreciated by his directors.  "I never rehearse. I believe in giving the final shot in the first or second take, and that makes my director happy," he shrugs.

Ask him about the changes he has got into his style of acting, particularly in the different genres of films like Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Khamoshi and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, David Dhawan's Judwaa and Biwi No 1, Sohail Khan's Hello Brother, and Salman retorts, "What change in acting style? I've been the same since I was born. Acting is no rocket science, you don't need to be an Einstein to act. It has to come from the heart. Dil se feel karke acting jab karte hain to woh acting nahin kehlati, natural lagta hai. (When you feel from the heart and perform, it looks natural.)"

A FRIEND IN NEED

There are an umpteen number of stories that keep circulating in the film industry about Salman's loyalty towards his family and friends. Yet today he wouldn't like to add any new name to this list. "It takes a lot of time — 10, 12, 15, 20, 40 years — to build a relationship. I have not made any new friend in a long time now, I only have acquaintances. And I don't need anyone either as I have my brothers, Sohail and Arbaaz, my sisters, Alvira and Arpita, my parents, Helen aunty, David Dhawan, Sajid Nadiadwala. We are okay," he smiles.

Salman has worked with many lesser-known filmmakers just because he has 'liked them'. You never hear of him stealing roles from his contemporaries, chopping their roles or sucking up to the big banners. I work with anyone who comes with a good script, and has grey matter. The most important thing is that I should like the person, only then I sign a film with him. I need to spend 15 to 20 days with that person, 15 to 20 days even before I commit to him. And once I feel ki main unko jhel sakta hoon aur woh mujhe jhel sakte hain (I can work with him and he can work with me), then I say 'yes' to the project. After all, I am also not a great human being."

Salman is one of the few top stars who has worked with many new heroines, even at the peak of his career.  "I don't get into that department, I leave that to my producer and director," he says, sounding disinterested.

THE MANY FACES OF SALLU

At any point of his career has any actress or filmmaker refused to work with him? "First of all, I won't give anyone a chance to do so. Main aisa mauka hi nahin doonga. But if such a time comes when I'm not in the top bracket, I will make sure that I don't work with any producer, director or actor who acts as if he/she is doing me a favour by working with me. I will refuse these films," he says.

"I have several other options in life. I know how to cook, I know farming, hamaali, I can paint, I'm a sharp person, I can also write. Mere haath paav salamat hai (I'm hale and hearty). So don't worry about me," he adds.

DEAR JOHN...

Diplomacy is something that Salman has never handled well. It's just not his cup of tea. He recently showed his disapproval for his co-star of Baabul and Salaam-e-Ishq, John Abraham. John is "politically correct" was one of the reasons for the differences with the other actor. "He keeps calling me his senior as if I were some kind of dinosaur. We don't talk to each other, beyond a 'hello' when we meet," says Salman.

Ask him if he missed playing the character Prem in Sooraj Barjatya's latest flick, Vivaah, and he promptly quips, "No, they missed me."

KHAN I BEAT SRK?

There is only Salman Khan who has constantly battled Shah Rukh Khan at the box-office. And even though they share a cordial relationship, Salman made a dig at SRK for over-publicising his film Don to the extent where people didn't even know that a film called Jaaneman was also releasing along with it. "After all Shah Rukh Khan had a release with me and it can't happen that a Salman Khan film does well and Shah Rukh's film flops. Iss baar hum thoda fail ho gaye (this time I failed) But I love SRK," he smiles.

"I don't mind rivalry as long it's healthy and does not get malicious. With competition, I will get more serious. If at present I'm giving 2 per cent, I will give 3 per cent with competition at hand," he grins.

The naughty streak in Salman has never remained hidden. When asked what kind of roles would he like to essay now after crossing 40, he says, "Now I would like to play a college student who would come home screaming, Maa, maa, main first class first aaya hoon. Then I would like to play an MA, LLB student, but that will come next, maybe after 15 to 20 years!" And then bursts into laughter.

His romantic side never remains hidden either. He says, "Appreciating good music is like falling in love. Just the way you want to see a girl you like, again and again, you want to hum a good tune again and again."

NOT AN AD-ICT

Despite being one of the top-notch stars for several years, Salman has not done many endorsements as compared to his contemporaries. Why? "Arre, milte nahin hain endorsements, karna kaun nahin chahta? (I don't get offers). The corporates don't want to touch me, may be because there are cases against me. I guess they are right in doing so. But I endorse what I like to endorse, I don't do it just for money. I wear Dollar vest, I wear Red Tape shoes. I believe that if I wear these things only then my fans will wear them too," he says.

David Dhawan's Partner, Rumi Jaffrey's God Tussi Great Ho, Hollywood flick, Marigold are few of Salman's forthcoming releases. "I can sign more films if I want, but I'm taking it easy now," he says. 

A BEAUTIFUL LIFE

It looks like Salman is slowing down, trying to control his unpredictability. "Yes, I have become a less erratic than what I was earlier," he confesses.

At a gaming event held some time back in Mumbai, someone asked him if life was a game and we were all players. To this, he replied promptly, "I don't know. I feel that life is beautiful. Kisiki zindagi lambi hoti hai toh kisiki chhoti (some live longer whereas some have short life). But one should live life kingsize."

[mrs. k]

I go wrong sometimes, says Salman Khan
Shubha Shetty-Saha
Tuesday, July 17, 2007  23:59 IST

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1110450

Salman Khan on not inheriting his father’s taste in women, his eccentricities and more

Perhaps no one but Salman Khan manages to look hot even when he has a bad cold. In spite of the constant sniffing and throat clearing, the smiles are abundant too. He even jokes to say, “If I sing now, I will sound like Himesh Reshammiya…”.

However, he has a great opinion about his once-upon-a-time friend Himesh. “It’s a wonder how he has acted through the film in a cap. That man started off as a TV producer and look at him today. If he had continued doing TV, he would have given Ektaa Kapoor stiff competition. Someone who started with one crore now doesn’t talk about anything less than 100 hundred crores now! Isn’t that amazing?” he asks.

Salman has two films up for release — ‘Marigold’ and ‘Partner’. In ‘Marigold’ he plays a choreographer. Ask him if he has improved his dancing skills for the film and he replies with mock anger, “I can dance better than Hrithik Roshan. It’s just that I don’t display my talents because I want the audience to match their steps with me.” And then, with a smile he says, “Actually as a dancer, you can place me somewhere between Ajay Devgan and Hrithik Roshan.”

Talking about ‘Marigold’, he says, “Salman Khan is only a big star in India. I have done this film which will be shown everywhere in USA, UK for my NRI fans’ foreign pals.”

Salman says he doesn’t idolise anyone but his father. “I think he is one of the most creative intelligent guy and even at 72 today, he leads the life he wants.” That brings us to the topic of Helen…and Salman says fondly, “I love her. My mother and she were best friends even before she married my father. My mother was upset for a while, but later everything was fine. Both my mothers are great women - my dad has excellent taste in women.” Does he inherit that and he admits, “I can go wrong sometimes.”

Talking about paintings which he has taken up big time these days, he says, “I do it because I have a charitable organisation and the money collected from my paintings helps the cause.  I know they would have no value without my signature on it. But at least I am better than a lot of artists who make something that no one understands and they have to explain and these paintings go away for crores of rupees. At least, you can tell what I havepainted.”

Apart from painting Salman has a weird hobby, “I love riding rickshaws. When I was younger and needed pocket money, I used to drive my driver’s taxi. I still ride a rickshaw when I get time, but not very often.”

s_shubha@dnaindia.net