The Real Dabangg – Salman Khan

The Real Dabangg - Salman Khan

Smiling through a series of painful breakups, face-offs with the media, ample lawsuits, and showdowns with close friends from the cinema industry, Salman Khan has come a long way. He has worked in more flops than hits during this long journey of two decades and two years. However, his craze among his millions of fans is undying. And riding high on the wave of his success with Dabangg, he has proven that his magic with the people is long from over. In a candid interview, the actor talks about his recent blockbuster, upcoming films and much more.

How sure were you of Dabangg’s success?
I knew the film would click. But that it would be such an immense hit, I hadn’t an idea.
Your Chulbul look has created quite a buzz, can you elaborate on it?
Good that it did. I had really worked hard on coming up with a (this) image that people could relate to. I lost a lot of weight. I really wanted to look ripped in the film. And the idea worked. A couple of months before the movie, Arbaaz Khan came up with different kinds of moustaches every week. Then I thought of growing my own moustache. Somewhere along the way, Sonakshi also had this thing for her dad’s moustache. Hence, this moustache.
You were seen doing some really funny dance steps in the film. Why is that?
The idea was to appeal to the masses. We can say that this film is dedicated especially to those people who can’t dance.
Can we call this your comeback movie?
Dabangg sure has done wonders for me. But to call it my comeback movie would be wrong. I was never out of scene. I was always here. I did not need a comeback. Ask my fans.
Who would you credit most for the movie’s success?
The first credit goes to Arbaaz Khan and then our team effort. We had tried to put everything straight; the script, the theme bordering on the rustic milieu, the treatment, the huge production value in lieu with our debut making heroine Sonakshi Sinha, and a new director Abhinav Kashyap to hold the entire directorial reigns.
Would you not agree that everything apart from your star presence has made Dabangg a megahit?
Oh! I have got to thank you and the entire media fraternity for even thinking that I am a star. Must say, I am quite honoured. However, putting records straight, I have to say that Dabangg was my younger brother Arbaaz’s brainchild. He had the guts to go ahead with it and repose his complete faith in me.

Are you satisfied with your new director’s ‘cut’?
Abhnav Kashyap did a fantastic job and this is for all to see. As we untrained actors have a natural flair for acting, he has a natural flair for direction.

We hear that the team is already planning Dabangg’s sequels?
Why not! I am sure that ‘Dabangg 2’ and its following sequels will also be surpassed hits.

Why do you think you have this love and hate relationship with the media?
I hate the media only when they misquote me, which they do most of the time. Whenever I have bared my heart before you guys in good faith, I have always ended up getting misquoted with facts distorted beyond redemption. This is why I refrain from talking to the media, especially with journalists, whom I have never met. But at the same time, I also love the media because they always help me to promote my upcoming films very well.

How is this, the case with you alone?
Well, I am very reserved and fail to open up very fast. And hence I am named as moody, arrogant and whimsical. While it’s true that I am very reluctant to share even breathing space with strangers, and, sometimes even my fans become the victims of my inaccessibility, my close friends and my co-stars will vouch for the fact that I am the biggest prankster, a jovial person, a cool dude.

Is it true that like Aamir Khan, you too have an aversion towards award functions?
They never gave me an award, not even a consolation trophy. However, I still do perform at award ceremonies. And when they try to offer me a trophy now as part of a performing act, I refuse point blank to do so as I would rather charge them for a performance. My fans are my best judges and my biggest trophies.

Do you miss the people who have walked out of your life?
I don’t want to talk about them.

What about those who you have had a fall out with?
If you are talking about Shah Rukh, I am never going to reconcile with him. Nevertheless as he wasn’t my girlfriend, I see no reason why I should miss him. I don’t think that I have had such a major fall-out with anyone else.

Are you aware that a Tamil film producer BK Krishnan is making an autobiographical Tamil film tentatively titled ‘Anna Salman’ based on your life?
Yes, I’ve heard of it. I wish him all the best.

Which five films of your career do you like the most?
Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Tere Naam and of course… Dabangg.
What are your forthcoming films?
Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai, Faltu, and My Love Story. I will soon be seen in many sequels. There is Tom And Jerry, a sequel of Partner; Most Wanted, a sequel of Wanted and the ‘many’ sequels of Dabangg.

How do you like hosting Big Boss Season 4?
Hmm…. so far so good. The show is quite an eye opener. It clears up several notions about the asli duniya (real world). 

Can we hope to see you hosting Season 5 too?
I can’t say that as of now.
How has life changed, since you became a super star?
Remove the star label and you would still find me the same. Maybe those around me changed their attitude towards me, but I as a person have remained the same all these years. When you think that you are a normal person and not a star you have a long way to go. You don’t get impressed by the image a few people create of you and crores of people appreciate it. The day the star thing hits your head, you are done with.