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Salman Khan talks exclusively to STAR News, says he is fine

STAR News Bureau
Sunday, 04 September 2011 16:10

Salman Khan has been a class apart in many ways but one thing that would stamp this distinction for the Dabangg is that he is not concerned with the commercial success of the film.

While his recent hit Bodyguard is breaking records globally, the actor is oblivious of his films success and has little to say about its astonishing show.

In a candid chat with NDTV, the actor, who is recovering in the US, talks about his basis for choosing a role and giving paramount importance to audience's love and not worrying about the number game.

"I don't understand pursuing all those figures. I only understand what I have to do. Once the shooting and dubbing of the film is over, after that I am clueless. I don't know how many terrotories, what collection, I don't know anything. When they tell me I just pretend, 'Ok, Ok, this was the collection'. I don't care if it's the second biggest or third biggest. What I only care about is that the film is done well. Now number game is the producer's game. If he is happy, I am happy," the actor said when asked about Bodyguard breaking all the records.

"If my fans are happy, they are going to see the film, and then I am also happy. My work is limited to choose the right kind of film and doing it to the best of my abilities. And people have liked my work. This is my happiness. This is all that counts," the Ready star said.

"When the film prices were Rs 5 or Rs 10, that time it didn't make that much of difference. Everybody was doing just films. Now when the ticket prices have shot up to Rs 500, large number of people see the film and when their salaries are not that much, then it becomes a huge burden and specially the die-hard fans, who go and see the film on the very first day, where they even buy a ticket for Rs 1,000," the actor observed.

"So, when they come out they shouldn't feel that they have wasted their money. That is my biggest worry there but what i don't understand is that when you are spending Rs 1,000 why see the film in black, I feel when you are spending that much money, why aren't you going to a multiplex? I don't understand the psychology. Is this a fear of being surrounded by high class people or that when you would shout, then people would drag you out? What is the fear?" he said.

It may be noted here that most of Salman's recent hits have done wonderful business in the single-screen halls compared to the multiplexes.

"In multiplexes also you are paying for the enjoyment, you are not paying for a matam. And the amazing thing is that the multiplex people are going to the single screen to enjoy the movie, to shout and hoot. Then why can't you do the same in multiplexes? Just go and scream, no matter how big the multiplex is!" Salman said. From analysing audience behavior to the big question on everyone's mind -- his health.

"The surgery went fine and everything is good, but the pain is going to be there for a little more while. It takes at least six to eight months to recover. It would take some time to subside," he said.

"If they allow me work from today, I wouldn't say no. So, from here I will go to London for a couple of days and then to Dublin, where we are going to start our shooting for the Ek Tha Tiger," the actor said while detailing his plans to get back to work.

Another question on everyone's lips has been as to when will Salman reprise the role of Dabangg's Chulbul Pandey.

"The scripting is done for Dabangg 2. Now after Ek Tha Tiger, we are just deciding whether to start Sher Khan. It is a very ambitious project. And we need a lot of time and a lot of stuff to work out," said the actor who had recently vowed to slow down due on the work front.

"I think we are going to take Sher Khan slightly ahead. Sher Khan will come after Dabangg now because there is a lot of stuff to be done for Sher Khan. As far as training, location and special effects are concerned, there is lot to be done. As far as the writing of the script is concerned, it is again a very difficult film to write. So we don't want to take chances with this movie. So we are going to start something else which is an absolutely superb film. And it would be an achievable film to come on a particular date. So we are starting a different film which is a mix of action and comedy altogether. And we are very pleased with that," Salman said.

Clearly the role is dear to his heart too.

"l thank my fans for their support and I love them," the actor said before signing off.