'I want strength to love'

Its 530 pm on a Saturday Salman Khan has arrived in a white Range Rover at Bandras Mehboob Studios A random mix of journalists photographers fans and his entourage watches his every move He steps out of the car and relaxes for a few minutes The photographers nudge him for a picture He poses first seriously then laughing as he moves to Munna Badnaam The song ends and he walks towards a tent that has been set up for media interviews On the way he chats with director Farah Khan who has stopped byIncidentally the directorproducer was rumoured to replace Salman as host of Bigg Boss 13 in the last six weeks of this season The move stands canned for now Perhaps the makers realised there is no boss bigger than Salman I dont know what role I am playing this season he says of the hit reality show They are bringing up stuff I did or didnt do 30 years ago Basically its become a twoday programme on meSalman Khan shares a moment with Dabangg 3 costars Sonakshi Sinha and Saiee Manjrekar at the films promotion PicSameer MarkandeIts only fitting He completes three decades in the Hindi film industry this week And the special is going to have TRPs hit the roof What started off as a career for a romantic hero with mega hits Maine Pyaar Kiya Saajan and Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya took a detour when he successfully experimented with comedy in Andaz Andaz Apna Biwi No 1 and No Entry But its the films he has chosen in the last decademdashDabangg Bajrangi Bhaijaan Sultan Bharat and Tiger Zinda Haimdashthat have turned him into the hero of heroesIn his private life he has faced the wrath of the universe making the round of courts and facing detractors calling him the brashest of stars who cant act And then there are an equal number of stories about his largesse his unending need to help people Khan doesnt seem to care about what people think He wears his good heart on his sleeveWhen we finally meet a table divides us He turns 53 on December 27 but he appears just as fit and handsome as he does on screen He looks like hed be happier not doing the interview And we realise he actually doesnt need to But when we get down to talking he is high on wit cracking jokes some at his own expense and others at this writersDabangg 3 which he has cowritten sees him return as happygolucky UP cop Chulbul Pandey He takes a moment to think about the characters evolution since he debuted in 2010 Chulbul is now stronger with the support of his family and beliefs and in the way he conducts himself He can see the larger picture now And this time you also discover that he has a past which is now back and messing with the present Salman seems to know why the franchise is working Its a time when we need someone to assure us that things will be alright Everyone wants their local policeman to be like Chulbul When you see uniformed persons on screen and if the film is about fighting for the country or a cause you look up to those characters Such films always workAnd Salman enjoys playing these roles including for a personal reason He takes back bits and pieces of Chulbul with him each time a sequel releases Id like to embrace at least 20 per cent of the traits of every noble character I play he hopes Salman began his career as a lover consumed by passion About the 1989 superhit Maine Pyaar Kiya Khan says it was his father famed scriptwriter Salim Khan who suggested he adopt a romantic image That is my fathers biggest contribution He had asked me can you play a cop A lawyer A don The mohalla ka dada I said no Then he asked what about the romantic hero I said perhaps When I asked if he could recommend my name he refused So Im trying to play those characters which I didnt have conviction to play earlier now Thankfully Maine Pyar Kiya was a hit Right before that another Bandra boy had made it big It would have been embarrassing if I hadnt he laughs about Aamir Khans debut Qayamat Se Qayamat TakWithout a care about the attention he elicits Salman the fitness enthusiast prefers cycling to locations when he can PicSneha KharabeBhagyashree his first costar remembers the set as being like a college campus where she Salman and director Sooraj Barjatya met for the first time and became friends He was extremely protective about me Once we had to be part of a shoot for a larger article on three couples who had made their debut back then and the couple before had us posed intimately I knew I would not be able to do the same I heard later that Salman was told by the photographer that he knew I would act stuck up and shy so Salman should kiss me anyway I believe he yelled at the photographer I have respect for himLater when she married Himalaya Dasani Salman was the first to come to the wedding and the last one to leave Since my own family hadnt come he and Sooraj ji represented the brides side She thinks its with the 2015 comedy drama Bajrangi Bhaijaan that Salman developed a real connect with the audience Its no longer about being mesmerized by his torso Now its less showbazi and more about connecting with the viewersEvery childs friend the actor has a soft spot for children Seen here goofing around with a contestant on a dance reality show this year PicSameer MarkandeEarlier too Salman has tried his hand at nondramatic films like Phir Milenge where he played an HIV positive character in love with Shilpa Shetty When we tell him roles like that are a favourite he smiles I am not going to do movies for your kind for a long timeHe recalls going to a theatre when he was young and leaving in awe of Bruce Lee When wed go to the theatre wed take a look at the poster and decide if we were going to watch the film If it had blood and guns we wanted to see it I know the trend is changing but I dont want heroes to die The day heroes die the sort of movies I do will also die If you come out of the theatre and want to be like the actor you left inside the battle is won Thats all I want my movies to doActordirector Revathi who acted with Salman in Love in 1991 and directed him in Phir Milenge in 2004 says Salman came on board to do a role several actors had refused Chalo karte hain he had told her on the phone He did it for friendship and he was the darling of the unit It was so easy to work with him He has a big heart and rarely thinks with his head I have called him a few times to talk just talk about personal issues and he talks as if we speak every dayOnce you are his friend you are his friend forever Khan may not be doing the subtle roles anymore but he continues to do justice to whatever he picks He laughs when we discuss prep for a role He doesnt take on parts that require prep but then shares a detail that could underline a method If you can walk the character you can talk the character Daisy aunty Irani had three students she taught acting tomdashSajid Khan Chunkey Pandey and me After us she shut shop She said Keep going to places keep on observing people Thats the only acting tip I will give you Hear things and remember them Thats what I do I observeAli Abbas Zafar who directed Salman in his last film Bharat says he likes that the actor wants to go to work every day His screen connect and charisma is hard to beat He is also a team player With Salman what you see is what you get There are no layers to him He wont change for anyone however long they have known him The maturity that the audience sees in my work is thanks to his experience as an actorIn the last few years Salman has done more than act He runs a fashion brand and a sizeable chunk of its profits help run the Being Human Foundation a nonprofit that works in education and healthcare for the underprivileged But Salman is also a successful producer with some of Indian televisions biggest shows backed by SK TV including the weekly comedy sketch The Kapil Sharma Show But he brushes off any mention of business acumen I dont think about business although I think about money all the time and would want more of it All the profits from the business go to charitable trusts If thats business then everyone should be a businessmanIts getting dark outside Salman is dreading the line of journalists waiting to interview him Our last question is about whether he has ever wondered what hell do when he is done with acting What next I am thinking what now What will you ask next and when we will get to your last question We crack up There is a epilogue question we have What have the last 30 years taught you Only one thing Every moment must be enjoyed and extended even those that dont leave you happy I remember wanting to be an actor just yesterday Thats how fast the last 30 years have gone bySalmans Xmas wish list I wish for the good health and well being of my family loved ones and my fans I hope to have continued strength to give back the same degree of love my fans have blessed me with for 30 years and enthusiasm towards my workCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to 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