Mister Misunderstood!
He differs from the other two King Khans – Shah Rukh and Aamir – in almost all respects: For starters, he is the only one of them who is known for being as adept at romance as well as at action, thanks to those limpid eyes and a physique that is the envy of the industry. And then some more.
Second, he is the only one as yet single and would emerge a hands-down winner in any poll about eligible bachelors in cinema (Somy Ali and Aishwarya Rai are pass, though of course Katrina Kaif is in the running).
Third, he is the only Khan as of today who does more than two films at a time.
Fourth, he is the only Khan to get himself embroiled into situations that are times of his making but mainly, not! If you want to hang a Khan, the media and the public make him the fall guy! He is the most misunderstood guy in the industry.
There's more…
Aamir Khan chooses his assignments while Shah Rukh Khan has an A-list camp, but none of Salman Khan's loyalists (David Dhawan, brother Sohail Khan, Bubby Kent, Sunil Manchanda, Sajid Nadiadwala) are known as elite filmmakers. And yet we hear of the man inspiring enough loyalty in Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Sooraj R. Barjatya for them to return to him after outings with other superstars.
Salman also differs from the other two Khans in two other aspects: one, he is unapologetically mass-oriented, and wants his films to do well across all classes of audience and regions, like Maine Pyar Kiya ('89), Saajan ('91), Hum Aapke Hain Koun!… ('94), Karan Arjun ('95), Judwaa ('97), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai ('98), Biwi No. 1 and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam ('99), Tere Naam and Baghban (2003) and Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) did. Salman has steadfastly avoided professional contact with the offbeat brigade, which Aamir (Ketan Mehta, Rakyesh Mehra) and Shah Rukh Khan (Ketan Mehta, Santosh Sivan, Amol Palekar) did not.
Secondly, his resume records a chain of new faces launched opposite him, beginning with Renu Arya (in his own debut as second lead in Biwi Ho To Aisi way back in '88), Maine Pyar Kiya ('89, his first solo lead, opposite Bhagyashree), Baaghi (Naghma), Love (Revathi), Patthar Ke Phool (Raveena Tandon), Sanam Bewafa (Kanchan and Chandni) and Tere Naam (Bhumika Chawla) and last but not the least, his home production Lucky – No Time For Love (Sneha Ullal).
Last, but emphatically not the least, Salman is also the first Khan and first Indian mainstream hero after Shashi Kapoor to sign a true-blue international project, Marigold.
On the personal side, Salman's trysts with social causes (un-hyped out of preference) and his good deeds are not as well-documented as his notorious side, like the alleged Ash-bashing, poaching and his unfortunate accident, but have ensured that his image, at worst, is that of a brat.
The media gets a taste of this as he reports in a full 150 minutes late for the interviews. But once perched upon his seat, Sallubhai is all attention and with acerbic wit answers queries.
Excerpts from an interview:
Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya is the first film in which you co-star with your brother Sohail Khan, who has directed you earlier in Auzaar, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Hello Brother. How was it working with him?
Sohail rocks in the film. The stuff he made me do in those films – he's done all that here very well himself. He plays a struggling actor. The funny thing is that on the first day Sohail was very uncomfortable because he kind of wants to have this Sunny Deol kind of image and in this film he plays the role of a struggling actor! But after the first three shots he was away full steam into his comic role, excelling in comedy. As a director, he's always been my and the industry's best-looking one!
How much was the comfort level with the character and with your director?
This is one of David Dhawan's cleanest and funniest comedies. In fact, it was one of the most difficult films for me to dub, for it was high-pitched comedy. My character had to lie constantly in the film. The character brought out the actor in me because lying does not come easy to me as a person. I may lie to save a life and I definitely would to maybe make someone happy, but not otherwise. As for David, it's been a growing relationship because I have been working with him on at least one film since '96. This means that I spend 45 days at least every year working with him, primarily because I enjoy working with him. Also because he's very easy to work with!
David is a very impatient man and being basically an editor, likes economy. He will not speak an extra line even on a 'phone discussion' just as most of his movies do not have an extra frame. He has this habit of instantly and tersely approving or rejecting anything and those who work with him instinctively understand why he did not like something. He gives you a succinct brief and then gives you enough space to improvise. Finally, after he has finished with the film on the editing table, whatever you see on screen looks really good. David's unbeatable at comedy as we all know. His films with Govinda have been riotously funny.
Talking of Govinda, you have worked with virtually every top contemporary of yours, including Aamir and Shah Rukh, but not with him, apart from the two scenes together in David's Deewana Mastana. Why is that?
I don't know. We were to do David's Raju Raja Ram but it did not take off. Govinda is phenomenal. As an actor, saari industry ek taraf hai aur Govinda ek taraf.
But you did have some problem with him.
No.
He was said to have got your brother Arbaaz Khan replaced by someone else in one of his films.
(Dismissively) No, no, nothing like that.
You are on a patch-up spree, Shah Rukh, Gulshan Grover, Anu Malik...
Yeah. (Clams up)
This virtually marks the Hindi debut of Katrina Kaif, though she had a small role in Sarkar. What is your frank opinion of her as an actress, in the film?
She is as good as anyone else would have been in this role. She is learning, becoming more confident by the day. Every expression she gave was right for that shot. For someone who did not know Hindi at all, she has made great strides in her dialogue delivery. She has signed 4-5 Hindi films on the strength of her work.
How do you look back on Maine Pyar Kiya now?
Like with all films, I think we could have made it better today. But I give all credit to destiny for what the film did for me. Today when I watch it, I feel that if I can make it, anybody can!
You have been here for 17 years. What is the view you have evolved of what constitutes good cinema?
Has it really been 17 years since I first began shooting? Yeah, guess that's true – my hairline has receded and my waistline has increased! Okay, I think that good cinema is that which everyone from your great-grandfather to you can enjoy sitting together. Good cinema is when you watch a film and want to be its hero, when ladies who watch it want a man, a son, a brother or a friend like you. Good cinema is that which depresses or cheers you, which makes you come out crying or laughing. Good cinema is when a film you are watching is over you wish that the film were a little longer. Finally, good cinema is that which earns you lots of money.
You have never gone in for art-house cinema. There is only one exception in a way to the mass entertainers that you have done – Phir Milenge. Did you do this film only because of your old association with Revathy?
I did it because HIV awareness is something that can never be overdone. You see TV promos all the time about it, but the normal mindset is HIV and AIDS cannot happen to you, but only to others. This is wrong and dangerous, and if a star passes on the message the reach it gets is of a much greater dimension.
Could you say something about your involvement in your home productions other than as an actor?
(Dismissively waves his hand) Kuch nahin. Actually, acting mein bhi zyaada involvement nahin hai!
What are your own tastes in music?
I love the music of Himesh Reshammiya and Sajid-Wajid. Himesh's music in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya is rockin', man!
I meant the kind of music you normally like to listen to when you are unwinding?
I like different kinds of music.
Your Marigold director Willard Carroll reportedly wanted to make you cry even in that film because he noticed that whichever film you have shed tears in has been a huge hit.
(Smiles) Marigold is quite similar to a David Dhawan film, though it is much more subdued and aimed more at the classes.
It is said that you refused to do a kissing scene in it.
Yes, I have one rule of work. If I don't kiss on the Indian screen, I am not going to kiss over there!
An inventory of your films to come?
Priyadarsan's Kyunki, the long-delayed Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar which is in the making for four years now but is a super and rocking film. No Entry is my next release. Sanjay Leela Bhansali and I will do a film, either Bajirao Mastani or something else.
Have you watched Black?
Yes, and it was fantastic!
What about Pritish Nandy's Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam?
I don't know anything about that.
And are you doing Sooraj R. Barjatya's next film?
Yes, I am doing Sooraj's next film.
You have been doing action, romance and comedy all the time.
Yeah, and I am very happy doing it. I consider myself very lucky!
What about tragedy, and what is your idea of growth after you find that you are no longer happy doing variations of the same thing?
Oh, yes, I have done tragedies too, like Hello Brother and Dil Ne Jisse Apna Kahaa - which we made and then watched at home because no else wanted to watch them! Maybe you could call them comedies too for this reason! But seriously, kids love Hello Brother now whenever it comes on television. On the other hand, I am trying my hand at different things now – Bajirao Mastani if it happens, Priyan's film which is very different, and Marigold, of course.
You do not smoke on screen, neither did you allow a photographer to click you while you were puffing away. What are your feelings on the recent proposed ban on smoking on screen?
Stars should not be seen smoking in public. We do have an impact on the people. I have no right to spoil anyone else's health just because I personally am willing to face the consequences of my addiction. As for the ban – I do not know really. There was this group speaking against smoking and I clearly saw one of those guys chewing tobacco at the side of his mouth!
You Khans – Aamir, Shah Rukh and you – have ruled the roost for over a decade now. What is your own analysis about your combined supremacy? There are stars who approach the Khan position, but never manage to break through.
I don't know. That's a question you should ask Him (looks upwards) because it is all His work. I think that it's just fate, nothing else. And I think that Hrithik Roshan too is a huge star.
Problem after problem you don't seem to have enough of them in life. Could you describe the essence of Salman Khan the person in one line?
You keep pushing me down all the time, and I will stand up again.
You have had quite a turbulent time since the last six years and even today the fates seem to be against you. What has that taught you?
I have learnt that everything isn't what you think it is. Every time you think you know the answers, or everything about something – God whacks you!
— Dr. Rajiv Vijayakar
Mahadev And Sons
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