Monday, August 24, 2009

"My Parents are Putting (Marriage) Pressure on Me" - Salman


Salman Khan avoids intrusion in his life and profession but ends up drawing maximum attention for both right and wrong reasons. He is ready with the second edition of his television show 10 Ka Dum while awaiting the release of four of his big films. In a candid chat with our correspondent, the actor answers every question in good humor.

Hi, finally we manage to catch you?
(Ha...ha...ha). Yes, I have been running all this time. I am tired and I need a good sleep. I am just back from London after shooting for LONDON DREAMS and now I start shooting for 10 Ka Dum. It's work, work and work and nothing else.

Do you still feel the same about the media, hold grudges and wishfully avoid them?
I never avoided the media. Truly, speaking I don't have any grudges. See, I am ready to give all the answers. Actually, I have changed. There was a time, when I would show my annoyance but every action is guided by a reason. The media annoyed me. I still feel there are certain questions, which are personal, which only my parents or maybe the ones who are really close to me have the right to ask. If someone asks such questions, I can always get annoyed. My fans never ask me such questions...not even my senior colleagues because they know it might be in bad taste and be demeaning. Now it's different. I have grown over the years and avoid all the questions. (Laughs)

" My parents are putting (marriage) pressure on me..."
So you say you have changed...
Of course I have. I think that's the best thing to do. I have stopped reacting to things. In fact that helps. This is the new way to be in news. Earlier, whenever I said something, it got misrepresented. Now, that I don't at least the news doesn't get distorted. Earlier I wasn't matured. Now I have cooled down.

But controversy never seems to elude you.
What can I do? I don't create it. I know the media's problem. A good article is always boring but if you spice it up, it works and that is how people get such stories.

The latest one is Claudia...
Which Claudia? (Laughs) Schiffer? Or are you asking about Ciesla?

Its former Playboy model and actress Claudia Ciesla who is being linked with you?
(Ha...Ha...Ha). I know. I too have been reading about all these in the newspapers. Okay let me clear it out. I know Claudia, as an actress, she had come to my house only once, spent some time and even met my family. That's all and nothing more.

Apparently, you had to compromise on your fee this year for 10 Ka Dum.
Compromise! (Gives a mischievous smile). Recession... recession!!!! See they made me cut down my fee citing recession as a reason. (Grins)

In fact it is said that you are doing it at half the price.
No...no...no... come on... I also have some market value. I can't cut it down so much. (Smiles)

You must be thrilled to be thrilled to host it once again.
Of course I am thrilled. It was during the last year only when I knew that this show is going to be a hit. And now that it's a hit I am hosting it for the second time and I would now love to host it for another couple of seasons. See... I love this show. It is a common man's show and my fans also get to see me as the common man. I am just like them and today whatever I am it's because of the public. They have made me what I am; else I would not even get the job of a darwaan (gatekeeper). They have the body and height and I don't even have that.

Okay, tell me why didn't you vote in the just concluded general elections?
See, I know that this is one thing that will be asked now but I wasn't in India. Had I been here I would certainly have voted. I was shooting in London... a lot of money has gone in the project and I was doing my work with my costars, director and the producer. I don't want to show off by flying down to India to vote only to get clicked outside the polling booth. And where there were only 27 per cent, 36 per cent and 47 per cent votes in some places my one vote wouldn't have mattered much. But yes, had I been in India, I would certainly have cast my vote.

But Shah Rukh Khan flew down all the way from South Africa to vote.
May be he has more money than me. I am not that rich. (Laughs)

However, you campaigned for everyone in Bollywood this year.
(Cuts in) No, not everyone, but only my friends.

" I don't have any problems with Shah Rukh..."
Who would you invite as guests in 10 Ka Dum this time.
This time it's up to the channel. They will take a call but I am really looking forward to have some interesting guests. Last time was fun and I still feel Aamir should have attempted the last questions and made more money. It was one of the best episodes.

So you don't have any problems with Aamir?
I don't have any problems with anyone. And why are you asking only about Aamir. I don't have any problems with Shah Rukh. (Smiles) And even if there's a problem why should I tell you. (Ha...ha...ha). Look I have matured now.

But last year you invited so many of your friends to the show.
I think I am not left with any friends. (Laughs once again). But I would really love to have people like Sanju (Sanjay Dutt), Govinda, Sunny (Deol) and Dharmendraji to the show. Among women I would really love to have Madhuri (Dixit) and Sridevi as guests. Let's see what happens.

So, how has your shooting been going on?
I have four releases. First it's WANTED and the MAIN AUR MRS KHANNA and then LONDON DREAMS comes sometime near Diwali and then VEER.

And both VEER and WANTED are action films.
In fact, VEER has more action. The story is based in 18th century and it was more taxing than WANTED. And I am not saying this because it's my production. We have shot most of the film and the shooting in Jodhpur is over and the rest will be shot soon.

You have also written the story of VEER. So are you seriously considering scriptwriting?
See it's in my blood. It's as simple as that. I will write more of it in future and I am enjoying life. I have four releases this year and it's after a long time and all are different kinds of films. So you know how immersed I am in work.

Okay so when do you get married?
Soon...very soon. My parents are putting pressure on me (laughs). So eventually I will.

Ritesh Sharma, TWF, Bollywood Trade News Network