‘THERE’S NO SOLID REASON FOR ME TO BE PROUD’-Salman Khan

Salman Khan’s fan following is enormous, but the star believes he’s done nothing special to deserve it

With Salman Khan, you never know what mood you’ll get. But on Sunday afternoon at Mehboob Studio, he’s jovial. His next film, Ek Tha Tiger, releasing on August 15, is already the subject of much speculation, with trade pundits wondering if it will create a R200 crore club. Whether it does or does not, his fans are eager to watch their superhero on the big screen again. Between shots of Dabangg 2, the star answers  questions.
Today, you’re more successful than ever. Are you working twice as hard, or has this happened by chance?
In the past, I had a knee-jerk approach to work and it showed on screen. I was doing movies for the wrong reasons — trying to juggle dates, do too many guest appearances, take up projects under pressure or for emotional reasons. But now there’s a method to my madness. I have heard people say, “Salman has changed, he’s lost it,” and stuff like that. But it doesn’t affect me. Today, I am doing movies only for my fans and I am enjoying every bit of it. They are happy and so am I. Isn’t it showing on screen?

There seems to be a Salman Khan mania in the country. Are you proud?

It feels nice to be loved, but let me tell you there are 10 times more better looking, stylish and talented guys than me. So there’s no solid reason for me to be proud! I don’t think I have done anything extraordinary to change people’s lives. Yeh sab showbaazi hai aur isme credit lene ki baat kya hai? Mein chaand pe thodi pahunch gaya, ya koi cancer ka dawa invent kiya? (This is show business; there is nothing to take credit for.

Have I gone to the moon or invented a cure for cancer?).
Like most of you, I also have a job. If at all I am proud of anything, it’s my charitable trust, Being Human, which helps the needy.

You are now the new tiger in Bollywood. Powerful, but also scary.
Is the tiger aware of the traits you attribute to him? He is not, so it doesn’t matter to him, right? However, has fear ever discouraged people from hunting it down in the jungle, whipping it and taming it? Log toh tiger ko bhi circus mein nachate hai (people make tigers perform in the circus). But they are beautiful creatures. See how they cuddle up when you show them love.

But people are scared of you, Salman. Why?

That’s just a myth. I think people just give me my space. In fact, those who are supposedly scared of me have taken the maximum liberties with me. Like the media, for instance, who have pitilessly attacked me without finding accurate proof or giving me a chance to clear my stand. For 20 long years I haven’t reacted, because I was wounded. And the same people come to me for interviews. So, where’s the question of fear?