Salman Khan: Rebel Without A Pause
You've completed 20 years in this industry…
Yeah.
…and done around 75 films.
That's it? I thought it was more than that.
What has the journey been like?
All good. Fantastic… Couldn't you have asked me anything more, anything better?
I'm coming to it.
Okay. You just want me to answer a yes or a no.
No.
Then?
I'd appreciate it if you could be elaborate in your answers. Which film do you consider the turning point in your career?
Maine Pyar Kiya.
What about some of the films that followed?
All good. I had one advantage. Since I'm a scriptwriter's (Salim Khan) son, the ability to select the right script is in my genes. There are some wrong films I took on but the intention at that point of time was to buy a house. I knew those films were not going to do well.
But you still went ahead with them?
They were average films and there was nothing extraordinary that was coming to me at that point of time. I chose the best that came my way. I've never had this thing about working with the biggest names. I work with people with whom I'm comfortable, I work with people with whom I get along. I need a few months before I start working with a person to know whether there will be any problems and if there will be then will they be able to handle them. Once that's sorted out everything is smooth sailing. I don't even sign a contract. My confirmation letter is signed after the film is complete.
You can be very unnerving.
Why? What have I done? That's an image that you media people have given me. That's not me. (Laughs loudly) It's what you have in mind of me, what you've read of me, seen of me, what you think. I'm just the way I am.
Do you choose roles similar to what you are in real life?
There's close to a billion shades to me so anything fits me fine. There are shades to everyone. You won't be the same way with your family as you'd be with people you interview. Some people you love interviewing, some people like me you hate interviewing.
I don't hate interviewing you. I just said you're a little unnerving.
There's nothing I've done to unnerve you. It's just that I'm not comfortable speaking and so I don't do interviews. When I have a message to convey, I'll do it.
What makes you smile?
Anything. Happy moments make me smile, good things make me smile… bad things make me smile.
Bad things also make you smile?
They make me smirk.
Salman Khan ko gussa kyun aata hai?
Salman Khan ko gussa nahin aata hai.
Nahin aata?
Nahin aata, nahin aata.
That's another media created bogey?
Yes. Hundred per cent. Gussa toh sabko aata hai. If my car breaks down, I won't be angry with my driver. I'll catch an auto. I won't get angry if the shooting is delayed or even if nasty remarks are directed at me.
You do a lot to help people.
Not really. I do whatever little I can, according to my capacity.
But you don't like talking about it.
Now I am talking about it because I've started a charitable trust called Being Human.
What exactly does this organisation do?
Looks after children, heart patients, provides hearing aids, whatever. If money can save a life and if I have it, then I'll put the money into saving that person. If a case cannot be cured I will not touch it but if there's hope I'll do everything possible.
Will you accept donations for Being Human?
Of course and if I don't get them I'm going to extort money. I haven't got any so far and I don't need donations right now. But when I do, Hindustan khaali kardoonga. Then you'll see anger. There are very few charitable trusts in which people put their own money. So far whatever money has gone into the organisation has come from the ribbon cutting and shows that I do, the sale of my paintings, my clothing line and watches I manufacture. From my earnings, whatever I'm legally allowed to give to charity goes there. I don't have to beg for money. If you do, you lose friends. After the second or third call, that friend will stop accepting your calls. I am trying my best to make Being Human work. Those who want to can support me, if not they can go to hell.
Would you call yourself a role model?
One man's floor is another man's ceiling. Maybe one person will tell his son to be exactly like Salman Khan but someone else will tell his son to do whatever he wants except be like Salman Khan. Either which ways we have two good qualities coming up, one positive and one negative. This gets passed on to his children and their children and so on and if it snowballs into the entire nation, then nothing like it.
Which nephew is your favourite?
All three — Ayan, Nirvan and Arhan. I play with them a lot. I have enough time for my family and friends. Apart from films, I do shows, TV and paint but I still make time for family.
(There's a sudden softness on his face when he talks about his family. A look totally absent ever since we started the interview.)
Do you think you'll make a good father?
Hopefully, you'll get to know when I become one.
Which are the co-stars with whom you've enjoyed working?
I've enjoyed working with everyone with whom I've worked. When you spend 150 days working on a film with co-stars there has to be a certain comfort level.
Any favourites?
Rani (Mukerji), Preity (Zinta), Shilpa (Shetty)... who else am I working with?
(He feigns amnesia about Katrina and I wasn't about to jog his memory.)
What about Sanjay Dutt?
He's like an older brother. We don't meet very often but when we do we meet up at the same point at which we'd left off. Though we are two different individuals we are similar. We both went to boarding schools and boarding school boys are boys who bond over the years they spend together, share a closeness and are protective. And they always grow up to be men.
Are you self-destructive?
No.
Some say you are your own worst enemy.
That's their opinion about me. I don't use my potential to the maximum. I don't use more than two per cent. But there'll be a right time. Nobody thought I could pull off a 10 Ka Dum. They were all laughing at me. Every time I do a film they say we didn't think you had it in you. It's not me, it's you. I look, I hear, I see. People should too. If you want to hear of me and not know me, it's sad. You get information via, via, via satellite. It's really sad.
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