He’s found the woman he want’s to spend the rest of his life with. Marriage is on the cards, and he’s certain he’ll make a great father. Salman Khan talks to Rajeev Masand about all things close to his heart.

After four big hits last year, 1999 started on a rather dull note, what with Jaanam Samjha Karo bombing at the box-office. Was that upsetting?
Of course, nobody enjoys failure, but I don’t think Jaanam Samjha Karo was a disaster. It was a commission earner, and besides, for my own part. I knew well in advance that the film wasn’t going to be a huge hit. In fact, I’d told the filmmakers right in the beginning that this subject was to similar to Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai which I’d already done, but they have been unethical on my part to back out at that stage because I’d already given them my dates. I just wish they’d made a different subject, because the director And alibi Sultanpuri is very good, and he’d have done a good job.

So where do you think it really went wrong?
It was a weak subject, and besides if really wasn’t an extraordinary film. I guess it was expected to fail, In any case, I don’t think fans should endorse a film because their favourite actor is in it. They should go see it because the Subject interest them. And that that clearly wasn’t the case in Jaanam Samjha Karo.

And your other mindless film, Biwi No.1. has gone on to become very successful...
It’s not mindless or senseless, may I warn you. If it was, it wouldn’t become such a phenomenal success. Truth is, Biwi No.1 is a film that people could identify with, because it’s the kind of thing that happens in almost every home. Only, the story was treated comically.

And the unfaithful husband that you played in the film emerged a hero nonetheless...
Yes, but that’s exactly the tricky bit about the movie, because the hero of the film is actually and bad guy. It was both important and difficult for David (director David Dhawan) and me to make sure that although this guy was a rascal, he emerge lovable at the end. So comedy was the only solution.

You’ve been appreciated for your comic performances several times. Is that something that comes easily to you?
Actually, comedy is something is something that’s inherent in my family. My dad is a funny man, both my brothers Arbaaz and Sohail have a great sense of humor. Even my relatives from my mum’s side are all extremely funny, so I guess I tap from real life when I’m doing comic scenes.

Are you a funny person yourself?
Not really. Do I look like I’m a funny guy?

No, you seem so much more serious instead.
I guess I fluctuate...But comedy is quite tough. And especially so for someone like me who plays lead roles. It’s easy for Johny Lever to appear funny because he has a funny face. Even Govinda is a funny looking man. But I have to try harder.

Do you necessarily need a director to bring out the best in you?
I need the director to control me.

Do you consider yourself a natural actor?
I don’t consider myself an actor at all. I just do what I feel.

But you do a good job on screen...
You think so? I don’t really know. I don’t think I’m very good... In fact, I think I’m really not as good as the others. Perhaps the worst.

Your directors insist that you’re a very talented actor who’s achieved his success without much effort. They feel you’d be miles ahead if you were even a little more serious.
Now that’s not true. I think I’m quite serious. But seriousness isn’t necessarily visible in your outward appearance. Just because I have a casual attitude towards life doesn’t mean I’m not serious. How do they know what’s going on in my head?

So you’re very serious and dedicated, is it?
I think so. Also, I’ve been lucky in getting the right films. Let’s just say God is my co-pilot.

You were instrumental in having Chandrachur Singh reinstated into Friends when you refused to
take on his role. You also tried hard to convince the producers into taking him back. What
prompted the gesture?
I just didn’t think it was right to step into a film that another actor had already shot for, an I told Ramesh Taurani (the producer) that. I guess he felt the same way at some point, and decided to keep Chandrachur in the film. I’m really happy that it happened this way.

Then why, do people complain that you’re so unapproachable and difficult?
Because I’m not very outgoing with people I don’t know well enough. I’m fine with my friends and family-they’re allowed to take liberties with me-because I’ve been with them for many years, but I don’t let others come too close.

Do you have many friends among the actor lot?
Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) is a friend. So is Shah Rukh (Khan) and Mohnish Behl.

Does it bother you when the gossip media links you to a new woman month after month?
Not it doesn’t. Either I react and give them the importance that they want, or just importance that they want, or just ignore them, which I thin is a better option.

But does it get embarrassing while working with a co-star you’ve been linked with?
Not at all. Why should it?

But is absolutely everything written about you completely untrue?
Most to it is.

Tell me, how did it feel being arrested publicly in the Jodhpur buck-hunting case?
You know, it felt like shit-but not because I was arrested, but because my dad was dragged into it. I though it was terribly unfair to target him. He’s built that house in Panvel with so much love, because the locality reminds him of the place in Indore where he grew up...At this point in his life when he’s retired and is living a peaceful life, it was not right to attack him just to be able to get at me.

What about yourself? Surely you felt equally disturbed on the treatment that was meted out to
you?
At some point I’d switched off mentally. So even though I was physically present behind bars in Jodhpur for about 17 days, in my mind I was relaxing at home. I didn’t let it get to me because I knew what the real objective was. And then, I thought to myself that If I would break down on being jailed for some days, it must have been so much more difficult for Sanju. After all, he was arrested for two years, and that ruined his career, his image, everything...But it made him stronger when he returned. It’s hardships like these which make you a hero-an off-screen hero, not just a hero on the screen.

Okay Salman, I remember the last time we met you told me you were keen on getting married soon. Are you still as eager?
Oh yes, but marriage is not something that you can plan. Believe me, if I had to get married to myself, I would have long since been married. But marriage involves two people, remember?

So have you found the person you want to spend the rest of your life with?
Don’t expect me to take any names, pal.

Fair enough, but have you found her yet?
I have.

And you’re happily in love right now, are you?
Yes I am, actually.

And marriage is on the agenda, right?
You bet. It’s definitely going to happen soon.

And kids will follow?
Immediately...I think I’ll make a great father.

Will you make a good husband too?
The best!

So what does it feel like to be in love?
(Blushes)...You’re been in love, na? I’m sure you know the feeling...

But I bet it’s different with you...
I think it feels good to be in a relationship where you don’t expect from your partner but yet receive so much love.

Have you been in love several times?
Thrice, I think.

Have you been in love with a woman who hasn’t reciprocated the affection?
Yes, I’m sure that’s happened too.

Okay tell me Salman, which film of yours would you proudly show your children?
I guess it would be Maine Pyaar Kiya.

And which film of yours would you never want them to see?
Probably Biwi Ho To Aisi, but I’d show them the film anyway. Only I’d make that the second film of mine they’d see, because if they see this one first, they might not want to watch any more.

Hey, weren’t you an enthusiastic photography freak?
I was, but they took away my camera...It’s lying in Jodhpur with my mother things. I really hope I can get it back someday.

Whom did you enjoy shooting?
I shot my niece Alize, my dad, I shot Atul (brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri), my friend Kishan (Kumar), my brother Arbaaz. I also shot Hrithik (Roshan), Lolo (Karisma Kapoor). I also shot Somy (Ali) a lot...

Before I forget, what was all this about stripping down to your underwear at a stage-show in London?
That is such bullshit. I was in my black denim shorts. I come from a cultured home, I would never do something like that...In fact, a lot of people kept asking my dad about it, and he was so sure I could never do it. He even declared that if I’d really done something like that, he would never let me step into his house again. But I faxed him some photographs from London, and he was relieved that I hadn’t let him down.

But you did beat up Subhash Ghai at a party, didn’t you?
Now that’s something that shouldn’t have happened. I guess all I can say is that I really shouldn’t have reacted that way, no matter what the provocation was.