PRDP is better than Bajrangi Bhaijaan : Salman Khan

He commands respect like no other star does. And it was quite evident at the press conference even before Salman Khan walked in. There was chaos and uncertainty. There was over-the-top excitement and understated tautness. Amid heated arguments between cameramen and PR officials " the latter even saying, 'Aap Salman Khan ke press conference mein aaye ho, aur aap ID card leke nai aaye?' - all eyes were on the door waiting to catch a glimpse of the Khan and his girl Sonam Kapoor. The beautiful cast was here to promote its new film, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.

BEING KHAN

It was a 45-50 minute wait, but worth it, only because of Khan. Dressed in a midnight blue outfit, Salman was flanked by the gorgeous Sonam, who was draped in an Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla outfit, "made here in Gujarat". "I'm happy to be here and we are going to the garba as well. Hiral is our garba queen. You don't know Hiral? She is our manager, she made this trip possible. A round of applause for Hiral," said Salman, pointing towards "manager Hiral" who was embarrassed by all the attention.

PLEASE, DON'T ASK QUESTIONS

It seems to have become a norm: When there's Salman, there has to be a question about Aishwarya Rai. When a media person asked: 'You filmed at the Gondal Palace in Rajkot for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and now you have shot there again for this film. Kuch yaadein toh taaza hui hogi...' There was a sudden change in the atmosphere in the room as everyone knew where this was going. A pin-drop silence followed, before Salman said: "Wahaan pe Ajay Devgn saab aur Aishwarya ma'am Bachchan ne shoot kiya thha. Maine wahaan nahi shoot kiya, aapki information galat hai sir." And the room broke into laughter and applause.

ALL PRAISE FOR SOORAJ

Barjatya immortalised Salman as Prem with Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Apke Hain Koun! and Hum Saath Saath Hain. And the Khan seemed indebted to Sooraj for it all. "You've met Sooraj? You haven't met Sooraj? Your loss," was how he described the soft-spoken director. "I think PRDP is one of my best films. It is better than Bajrangi Bhaijaan," said Salman as his audience gasped in surprise. He continued, "The journey, the shooting, everything was beautiful. Sooraj always lifts me up, personally and professionally. He's made his largest films with me."

TODAY'S GIRL MAITHILI

'Sonam, you were four years old when Maine Pyar Kiya released.' "Wow! You know my age?" she exclaimed as she showcased varied expressions (Wonder why these are never seen in her films!). "I had posters of Salman all over my wall along with a poster of James Dean and Tom Cruise," said the fashionista, who plays a princess in the fi