Salman: Following Shah Rukh Khan's footsteps 
Rarely does one see Salman Khan talking freely to the media. But the star seems to have taken a page from Shah Rukh Khan's book.
"Shah Rukh markets his film like no one else. So I thought why not follow in his footsteps! And here I am," Salman grinned.
The actor remained in good spirits as he spoke about Saawariya, his new film with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, to Syed Firdaus Ashraf.
You seem to have come out of your shell for the promotion of Saawariya.
Last year, when we made Jaan-E-mann with Sajid Nadiadwala. I was confident that the film was great. But it didn't do well. I feel that was partly because I was sitting at home and chilling last Diwali instead of promoting my film! Shah Rukh, on the other hand, was going all out to promote Don, so his film clicked. So I decided to promote my film this time. 
Are you confident that two newcomers will do well in comparison to the superstar's film?
Wait a minute! There is only one superstar. Everybody knows who that is! I don't need to name him. (Smiles).
But don't you think both Om Shanti Om and Saawariya should not have released on the same day?
We did not want Saawariya's release to clash with Om Shanti Om. But unfortunately, Sony Pictures had decided the date much earlier. It's fine now. I feel both the films will do well because both are good.
Tell us about your role in Saawariya.
I play Imaan. I love that name. My father wants to name my son that, if I get one. I want to name my son Changez Khan or Prince Salim.
Saawariya is supposed to be a Hindu-Muslim love story. Will it work in today's times?
This is not a Hindu-Muslim love story. Saawariya is only about love, love and love. Love is universal and therefore I feel the film will work. 
You have given many people a break in the film industry. Sanjay Leela Bhansali admitted that if it were not for you, his career would have never taken off with Khamoshi.
When Sanjay came to me with Khamoshi, I really liked the script. I did the film when no one was doing it at that time. He is the same Bhansali for me even today. He has passion for cinema and will always do his best to give a good film. No wonder he goes over budget at times (laughs).
But you trusted Bhansali even after Khamoshi flopped and did Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
I have always taken risks in my life. The trend in our film industry is that no one wants to work with a new guy. If you are a newcomer, you will remain a newcomer. I think it is the ability in me to understand good script. I am a writer's son (Salim Khan). I have it in my genes. Though I don't write films, I understand the film at the script level -- whether it will work or not.
But you have made bad script choices too.
Yes. I did some films only for money. There was a film called Sooryavanshi. I liked it but I was not sure whether it would click. It was way ahead of its time. But I did it even then because I wanted money. I had to buy a house and the only way I could do it was by signing films.
Was money an important part of your life after you became a hero?
In the late 1980s, I was told that if I earn Rs 10 lakh, then I can sit at home with no work all my life because I could eat on interest. I said wow! At that time, my ambition was to earn only Rs 10 lakh. 
So after Maine Pyaar Kiya, you never faced financial insecurity?
Actually, I did soon after Maine Pyaar Kiya. I did not get too many offers after that film.
Are you joking? You became a superstar after that film.
No, believe me. I was sitting at home after Maine Pyaar Kiya for six months. Everybody in the industry thought that I am Salim Khan's son and his family will make a film with him. So I did not get a chance.
Besides, someone told me that Rajshri heroes are always one-hit wonders. I was the exception (laughs).
You never work with people who become successful after taking your help.
It is not like that. You see in Bhansali's case after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, we wanted to work together but things never worked out. He did Devdas after that and he wanted Shah Rukh Khan. I felt it was good because he would have done justice to that role.
I was supposed to do Bajirao Mastani but that did not click because of date problems and other issues. Now, I have come back to him.
The same is with Govinda. I will do a sequel to Partner. It may be called Tom And Jerry. But we want to make sure it is better than Partner because there will be too many expectations. We cannot do a sequel just for the sake of doing a sequel.
What do you think about Shah Rukh's six packs in Om Shanti Om?
He is looking good but I feel he is on the thinner side. He needs to put on weight. I believe even Aamir Khan is doing the same in Gajini. It is not easy to get that kind of muscle. Believe me, it is very difficult. You have to sit in the gym for hours and constantly work out. 
You and Shah Rukh have not done any films for a long time.
I would love to, but Shah Rukh only wants me to do special appearances with him (laughs). You see, I am doing a special appearance in Om Shanti Om. If he calls me to promote the film I will have to, isn't it? I am a part of that film (laughs).
What about Aamir. When do we see you together?
I don't think that will happen because Aamir will be fed up of me coming late on the sets. However, I feel Andaaz Apna Apna with Aamir was one of my sweetest films. I enjoy watching that film even today.
You have taken to painting these days?
Not many people know that I got admission in JJ School of Arts in Mumbai. But I did not take it because when I saw artists with long hair and kurtas, I felt I could not see myself like that. So I joined St Xaviers college.
We hear you have refused to get your wax figure at Madame Tussauds?
When I learnt about this, I thought someone was joking. It was only later on that I realised it was for real.
What is the secret of your success?
As I told you earlier, it is in my genes to read good scripts and decide. Besides, I feel today you have to be a master of everything. Gone are the days when you were Jack of all, master of one. Today, you have to be Jack of all and master of all as well.
http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2007/oct/23sal1.htm
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
57