I know the exact questions you'll ask: Salman (19) - Page 14

Within four weeks of taking up the international theatrical rights of Vipul Shah's keenly awaited LONDON DREAMS, Studio 18 has turned it around with a massive marketing blitzkrieg that includes a star-studded premiere in Dubai, a real-time video conference of the stars with the U.S. media and a meet-and-greet with Salman Khan in U.K.

The incredible marketing is being supported by a massive 230 print release of the film in the non-domestic markets, the largest print count if the numbers for recent solo Salman and Ajay starrers are anything to go by.

LONDON DREAMS opens in U.K. and U.A.E. on Thursday, 29th October and will have a day-and-date outing on Friday, 30th October in North America/Canada, Germany, Norway, Switzerland, East Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Pakistan, Mauritius, Fiji and Australia/New Zealand.

Jyotsna Grover, a student of Indraprastha College, was keen to get a hug from her favourite star. 'I want his autograph and a picture with him. I am ready to buy all the tickets if I just get to hug him,' said Jyotsna, who came with her friend Upasna Sen.

Clad in a 'Being Human' - his brand - white shirt and tattered blue jeans, the 43-year-old actor arrived with director-producer Vipul Shah in a black Audi SUV. His arrival brought the traffic at the Asaf Ali Road to a halt.

'I am sorry for being late. I could not get up early,' apologised Salman. 'I have sold tickets for this one (film) and I'll usher the audiences for my next film,' he told reporters here.

Salman's presence helped the sales of the tickets for the film, releasing Friday. 'The two-screen theatre sold close to 500 tickets, courtesy the hype created by the actor,' said an official from the theatre on condition of anonymity.

Also starring in the film are Ajay Devgn and Asin Thottumkal. The film is about 'deep friendship more than any love triangle or music', said Salman.

Unlike MAMK, Salman is the hero of LONDON DREAMS - Vipul Shah


Vipul Shah is least perturbed about the downright pathetic box office response that MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA has generated. Though there have been murmurs once again around the box office pull of Salman Khan (considering the fact that his latest film couldn't even garner a face saving initial), Vipul Shah comes up with a strong reasoning in defense of his leading man from LONDON DREAMS.

Another example that he shares is that of BILLU where Irrfan Khan was the central protagonist instead of Shah Rukh.

"Salman fans had all the right reasons to believe that MAIN AURR MRS KHANNA was akin to BILLU as far as the screen space given to their favourite hero was concerned", says Vipul, "Otherwise how else can one explain the fate of BILLU which didn't open well in spite of Shah Rukh having a song and dance routine with as many as four gorgeous actresses? The movie had such brilliant music but still it failed to bring in audiences."

"This is the reason why I am not at all worried about LONDON DREAMS since from day one, the right perception has been created for audiences that Salman is a key protagonist in the film", says Vipul, "He is one man who can get audiences if they smell from distance that what is he going to give them. I hope that the right messaging has gone to the audiences already."

Asin rocked and how!

Salman Khan has been at it constantly. He is hopping from Kolkata, to Delhi to Dubai to London to promote his film "London Dreams" and interacting with journos.

Salman, who's got a reputation of being reticent with the media, was at his articulate best when we met him at Grand Hyatt Dubai this afternoon (Oct 27).
"Do back-to-back interviews bore you," we asked. "Not really," said the handsome star looking as glam as ever in his striped T, jeans and hair band in place.

"But by now I know each and every question you are going to ask. Aren't you armed with the following questions," asked Salman, and then rattled off:

1. What is the USP of your film 'London Dreams'?

2. What is different about your character in the film?

3. How was it working with Ajay Devgn after 10 years?

4. What pranks did you play on the sets?

5. What was your most memorable moment while shooting the film?

6. What are your comments on your link-up with Asin?

The actor stopped and smiled. "After 20 years in the industry I know the format by heart. I guess by following a format like this all of you are making life much easier for aspiring journalists," said Salman.

Always sceptical about the media he said, "Today the media is writing good things about me tomorrow they might write bad. I am used to this."

The actor said while promoting a film he is at the beck and call of the producer, "I will go wherever I am asked to go and do whatever I am asked to do. At other times there is no point talking to the press because I will keep repeating myself. Most often I don't have anything to say."

He added, "And anyway, over the years I have realised that when you give an interview it is not yours, it reflects the interviewer's character."

Salman will be back in Dubai in December for a concert with Katrina. We are hoping to talk to him again, with a format of more exciting questions. He should just be willing to answer them.