Salman Khan in Dubai: interview on Ready and More

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• Salman Khan in a scene from the movie Ready.

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If there's any actor in Bollywood who enjoys a schizophrenic image, it has to be Salman Khan. On one hand, India's macho hero has criminal cases stacked against him (reckless driving, poaching of endangered black bucks) and on the other he's known for his bursts of benevolence (he wants to pledge a part of his income to industry workers and doles out thousands of dirhams to the poor).

When tabloid! caught up with him over the phone before he jetted in to Dubai for the premiere of Ready last night, the 45-year-old idol was in the latter mood: humility personified. For instance, when we told him that thousands of fans will be eagerly waiting for his arrival at the premiere, his first concern was whether his female fans would end up injured.

"I just hope that people don't get hurt and that the senior citizens and women don't get pushed around. That's what worries me. Very often, women end up harassed or trampled on. Even while I am at such event, I keep an eye out for such things ' I even tell the security to keep away from children and women," said Khan.

Unlike his larger-than-life, bombastic on-screen persona, the actor speaks in hushed tones. Though it's tempting to believe him, it's tough not to take it all with a pinch of salt since he's known to evoke extreme sentiments among the women he has dated.

While his recent girlfriend Katrina Kaif speaks highly on Khan, calling him her mentor, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was not so kind. After their break-up in 2001, Rai Bachchan had alleged that Khan often played rough with her.

'Lots of experience'

Among his co-stars, the reaction towards him is far more unanimous. From Asin (his romantic partner in Ready) to Sonakshi Sinha (his lover in Dabangg), his colleagues go into raptures when his name is uttered. Ask Khan about his soaring popularity with these women and he brushes it off modestly. "I have no idea why I am so popular," he said.

"But I have dealt with co-stars for the last 20 years and I know how to treat them well and take care of them. Lots of experience there."

Sounding increasingly like his hugely successful Dabangg character Chulbul Pandey (aka Robin Hood Pandey), the actor ' who has given Bollywood some of its biggest blockbusters such as Wanted, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam ' adds that he is willing to sacrifice personal glories such as awards to give youngsters a chance.

"If they [award officials] want me to be a part of a performance to entertain the crowds, I can do that. As far as nominations or awards go, I don't want my name in there because my absence means there may be one good newcomer who stands a chance of winning that award. My award and reward comes to me from my fans."

His last sentence echoes his sturdy hold over Bollywood for over two decades. How else to explain the spectacle that was Dabangg? A small-time police inspector flipping Ray Bans (in typical Rajinikanth style) before bashing up villains, delivering cheesy one-liners and his shirt ripping off when he stands tall are all a part of this blockbuster package. His on-screen antics even earned him the tag Bollywood's Rajini, but Khan shrugs off the title with just one line. "There is only one Rajinikanth, and may God give him the best health ever."

His sanguine tone makes it difficult to believe that this actor is the same wild persona who throws some of the best (read debauchery den) parties in town and has a lengthy dating record. Sensing his zen state, we go for the jugular. So when will Bollywood's most eligible bachelor hang up his designer boots and settle into matrimony?

"As soon as the boots get worn out. Marriage is not in my hands or in your hands. It's something that's in nobody's hands."

http://gulfnews.com/arts-entertainment/film/salman-khan-ready-for-dubai-1.816003