I’m not a superstar, says Salman

Men are like wine – some turn to vinegar, but the best ones improve with age. And there is no doubt that Salman Khan (53) is like some fine wine, which tastes better with age. Even after reaching dizzying heights, the superstar (aka Bhai) has not let stardom go into his head. In fact, the Dabangg star feels he is ‘lucky’ to have a successful inning at the box office for the past 31 years.

Salman’s humility and temper is legendry in tinsel town. His role as the quirky Chulbul Pandey in the Dabangg franchise not only made Salman a household name, but he touched the hearts of millions of fans. “In my head I really don’t think that I am a superstar. I am definitely not a superstar. My time is good and that’s why my films are doing well at the box office. I am getting so much fame. However, for this too we have to work ery hard. Earlier, we would compete with our seniors, now we have to compete with our juniors, who are very good. So it is ten times more difficult,” he says with a smile.

Speaking about his latest movie, Salman says that after Dabangg , Arbaaz had the idea of bringing Chubul Pandey to Mumbai. “He wanted to keep the family intact. During Dabangg 2, we tried to tackle the question of how Chulbul became Chulbul. How his life is interspersed with the family members. And now in Dabangg 3, there is a new villain,” he adds. According to Salman, D3 is more of a prequel than a sequel. Prabhudeva has directed the movie. He is also directing Salman in the much-anticipated Radhe.

Explaining about his close association with Prabhudeva, Salman says, “I was looking for a director for Radhe while we were doing Dabanng 3 with him. We had a script at our disposal so we signed him again. He always wants different takes and keeps on saying ‘one more take, sir’,” he laughs. Prabhudeva had directed the superstar in Wanted as well.

The movie stars Sonakshi Sinha and lissome lass Saiee Manjrekar. The grapevine has it that Bhai saw a sparkle in Saiee's eyes and thinks she is ‘star material’. “She always had that quality of a heroine. I have known her and seen her from her childhood. She fits the lead by all means, especially the way she looks. If she is not in movies, it will be a big loss to the industry,” opines Salman.

Like, the previous two movies, D3 is a perfect mix of emotions, heroism, action and valour. “When I used to watch movies, I would come out of the theatre and feel that I too wanted to be a hero. I use the same formula (funda) in my films. Nothing works better than heroism in films. If your heroism touches the audience it works,” says Salman.

Elucidating further, the star says that heroism certainly doesn't mean you go around romancing girls or bashing people. “It means you are doing something for someone no matter how small or big. You make a difference in your own way. The audience should feel empowered after watching the movie. Otherwise, the action makes no sense till the time you don't have the emotional backing,” he explains.

There was a time when the villain would overpower the hero but with changing times, the hero-villain concept seems to be fading. However, Bhai has a different take on this. “People who make such films have somewhere witnessed this during their growing up days. Guys who are now born in cities have never seen a villain. But I have seen gang fights in Indore when we use to stay with my cousins there,” he says.

Salman adds that this is his genre of movies.  “Many people have seen that kind of life and it works. People who come from small towns are making films with their stories,” he explains.

After having Malaika Arora Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan on board for his item songs in Dabangg and Dabangg 2. Slaman this time has got Warina Hussian for the Munna Badnam hua… item song. Salman says, “Warina has done a movie with Aayush, who we had worked with. We had a choice of other actors but we had seen her wonderful work so we thought it will do wonders for her.”