''If I'd done Baazigar, there would be no Mannat''
Nobody gives better copy than Salman Khan on his good day. Despite being tired of doling out soundbytes on his latest film Saawariya, the actor held on to his good humour for this interview. Over rounds of black coffee and cigarettes, he spoke about success, failure, charity, competition, his price - Excerpts
Does the success of Partner make you happy or do you treat success like just another day in the office?
It's a damn good feeling. It's much, much better than when a film flops. A film doing well is a reaffirmation that I was able to make a lot of people happy.
I get angry. I feel I've failed my audience. Did you opt to be a part of Saawariya because it's a great role or because Sanjay Leela Bhansali is a great friend?
(Laughs) You've nailed me there. I did Saawariya because it's for a great friend; it's also a great role and a great film. What are you doing in a film that is a launch pad for Ranbir Kapoor?
If you show the film from the point of view of my character, he could easily be Rambo or some powerful Don. Yeh koi doosre yug ka aadmi hai. He comes to this magical town and meets a young boy who is discovering love for the first time. It's a good contest between a man and a boy. I also did the film for a very special reason.
The common perception is that Bhansali is one of the best directors of the country.
(Interrupting) Not one of the best. He is the best.
What was the experience of working with Sonam Kapoor who is a huge fan of yours?
She's not really a fan. What I mean is that she is fond of me and thinks I'm cool. She doesn't think that I wish Salman was younger or I were older! I've seen her grow up in front of me. For me she'll always be Anil Kapoor's daughter and for her I'll always remain her father's friend first. The problem lies with Anil. His biggest insecurity is that he started his career just eight years before me and I'm working with his daughter.
Is it true that you're the highest-paid actor in the country? Are you charging Rs 25 crore besides 50 percent stake in the profits for a film for the Ashtavinayak banner?
Actually it's Rs 24 crore and 70 per cent of the profits. And mind you it's all white money.
We're remaking Tarzan to appeal to the kidsand the youth. My No Entry director Anees Bazmee will be directing it. You Tarzan. Who will be your Jane?
(Laughs)We still have to figure her out. Wait.
All in good time. Do you regret not doing Chak De! India since you were the original choice for the role of Kabir Khan?
I don't regret not doing the film but I agree that my judgement about the film was wrong. Adi (Aditya Chopra) had told me during the narration that he's going to make a damn good film. But I had a problem with the climax. My reasoning was that if you lose to Pakistan then you also have to win with Pakistan. I also had a problem with the title. I wish they hadn't added India to the title. I felt our fans in Pakistan and Bangladesh might feel bad. You don't grudge Chak De.. to Shah Rukh Khan?
Not at all. I refused the film and he signed it so it's fair. I had refused Baazigar as well. When Abbas-Mustan came to me with the script, I asked my dad for his inputs. He felt that since it's a story of a negative character they should add an angle of the mother in it.
They didn't agree. When I turned down the film, they went to Shah Rukh and then they added the mother angle! (Laughs) But I don't regret it at all. Just imagine, if I had done Baazigar then there would be no Mannat standing in Bandstand today. I'm very happy for Shah Rukh and his success.
How do you view Saawariya's clash with SRK's Om Shanti Om?
I've a small part in Om Shanti Om so in a way it's my film too. There is no competition between Shah Rukh and me. I hope both the films do verywell.
The way I see it, if an actor doesn't do well, 10,000 families are affected. It's a massive food chain of producer, director, writer, distributor, exhibitor, people who supply popcorn at cinema halls and also the audience. The entire network originates from a star who sells.
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