'No one takes advantage of me'

Salman reveals his naughty childhood and his bad boy philosophy on life and love…

It's interesting how celebrity interviews can play themselves out. Some end before they begin and some result in one word answers. Not this one!

With Salman in Dubai this week, Masala! grabbed him for chat. But instead of asking the questions… Salman was the one interviewing us!

"So what do you think about my art?" A few "it's-amazing-but-intense-and-dark" comments later, my first question to him – did you paint when you were young? – was interrupted by people telling him to get dressed for a private event.

Thinking our chat was over, he walked ahead, stopped in his tracks, turned around, stared and said with a wink, "When I was young? I am still young!" OOOPS!

That wasn't the only wicked comment from Bollywood's bad boy. Here Masala! reveals what else the superstar had to say about his life in the spotlight…

So what would you say is your life's philosophy?

When you are born, life gives you a package, and you have to deal with the cr*p and the good that gets doled out to you. I'd much rather concentrate on the high points of it. I have love, health, a family and everything else. Sure there have been moments of strain, but that's life and that's part of the package deal that you were originally dealt. You just learn to deal with the s*&t as it comes along.

Do you feel you're a spontaneous person?

I am highly spontaneous
and intense too!

So how do you stop yourself from making rash decisions?

Well, it's hard, being as spontaneous as I am. When something affects me, I usually let it sit with me a while and when I think about it, my answers come to me.

You never studied acting…

No, never. I don't think that you can study acting. I think it comes naturally. Anyone who is able to shed his or her inhibitions, is an extrovert and can perform for an audience, can become a star. I am also naturally an introvert, so it was hard for me to shed those inhibitions. I still find myself checking that my zip is up and making sure my shirt is on the right way around before a shot.

What were you like as a boy?

I was hellishly naughty! I constantly bunked school, I partied hard and even stole from the house. Mum once asked me why, so I told her it was because she told me that stealing from other people's houses was wrong, so I thought this was the better evil! But even when I stole then, I didn't do it with a bad intention, I stole to give it to a friend who had borrowed money and was up to his neck in debt. So, at least it's somewhat justified, no?

Do you feel people take advantage of your goodness?

No, I don't think so at all. People tend to think that, but I enjoy giving, I enjoy sharing – that's just who I am. It's usually not people taking from me, but it's me giving to them – so there's nothing to take advantage of really.

What turns you off in a woman?

Jabber mouths and chatter boxes! Both men and women for that matter – I hate it when people tell me what they think should be my opinion or what they think about me.

And your turn ons…

Honesty, simplicity and modesty. That's it!

http://www.masala.com/15575-qno-one-takes-advantage-of-meq