tomorrow, Bollywood star
Salman Khan talks about being
the actor with the 'blockbuster
touch'
Everything you touch seems to
turn to gold at the box-office,
including your latest Dabangg
2. Do you feel like the 'man
with the Midas touch'?
Arre baap re! Midas didn't have a
happy ending, did he? (feigns a
worried expression). I wish what
you are saying was true, then I
wouldn't have to worry about
film scripts, direction, acting
(laughs). But I think the genre
has worked for me. Besides the
director, cameraman, spotboys
are as much a hero in the
making of a film. I am just
fortunate that my fans have
always been there for me.
What do you think makes you
such a hit with them?
The audience likes to see me in
action or in love, so they like to
see Salman Khan be the Tiger or
Chulbul Pandey. They all have a
little bit of these characters in
them too. All I do is put it out on
screen and they like it. That is
why they like a Prem or Radhey
too.
But do you have more of Prem
in you or Chulbul?
It is easier to be Chulbul in real
life than be a Prem. It is very
difficult to keep everyone happy.
Doing the right thing is one
thing, but no matter what you
do, you can never please
everyone. It's not easy being the
nice guy always, no matter what
gets thrown your way. As for me,
I think I too have a little bit of all
in me, but I am not them. I am
Salman Khan.
Do you think it ever hampers
your relationships... keeping
your onscreen persona
separate from the real you?
No. The people I share a
relationship with know exactly
who I am. They treat me like
Salman Khan, not Radhey or
Pandey. People who are close to
me are the ones who keep it real
for me, they know that's the only
way I know to be — real.
You are turning a year older
tomorrow. Do you think about
competition from the younger
lot?
Competition has always been
there, older lot, younger lot. But I
always wish all do well. Film chalti
hai toh sab ka achhcha hota hai.
I think people accept my screen
age, that's what matters to them.
I know I am not a youngster and
doing action is not easy too. But
till I can, I will really kick it!
Is there anything you miss at
this age?
Jitna mila hai bahot mila hai. And
I am just thankful for a family
and fans who've given me
strength to not give up.
Somethings I have accepted. I
can't fight them, so I have just
learnt to take what comes.
Next year you are completing
25 years in the industry?
And more than the money, it's
the love I have gained which
makes it special. Hits come and
go with Friday. I am lucky that I
have had the love of my fans no
matter how many Fridays have
come and gone in my life.
Apart from the action, you
seem to have reinvented the
dancer in you...
I am no dancer, but I love doing
what I do. Some like it, some feel
I am stiff, but I enjoy it. And
mostly the audience enjoys it too.
How much do tags like Rs 100-
crore hero and money-spinner
mean to you?
I do feel responsible, like I know
how well Dabangg was received.
Both Arbaaz and I knew that
Dabangg 2 had to be a step
ahead, not only in terms of
money making. I am happy with
the producers even just
recovering money and everyone
being associated with the film
having something to be proud
about. But in terms of taking the
character forward, I feel I owe it
to my audience. Tags... I take
them to heart, because fans give
it to you with love, but I don't let
them get to me.
www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/interview_i-feel-more-responsible-today-says-salman-khan_1781747
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