The Age of the KHANS

I’ve learnt a lot from both Aamir and Shah Rukh. But since Aamir’s known me from the time I was 17, he’s very protective. He’s watched me mature from a raw teenager. I observed him a lot during the making of Ghulam. His professional conduct is flawless. I really admire how focused he is, which is one of the first things that struck me.

I remember during the shooting of Aati Kya Khandala, some people on the set were not very nice to me. And I was so affected by their behaviour that I couldn’t give my best. Aamir sensed my unease when he saw the rushes of the song. He was sensitive enough to notice that I was not myself. He asked for a re-shoot. That’s one of my favourite Aamir Khan memories.

Aamir is a very emotional person. I don’t understand why people perceive him as a hard-hearted and shrewd man. He takes tough decisions, like his one-film-at-a-time rule, which is a very difficult call in this industry. But Aamir is strong enough to stand by it. He conducts his personal and professional life very correctly.

Aamir knows quite a bit about my personal life, because we discuss and share quite a bit with each other. But he keeps my secrets well. I know that whatever I tell him will never reach anyone else. He always gives me sound advice, and he’s great fun.

But the thing that I like most about Aamir is his honesty. He never says a thing he doesn’t mean. I had a special screening of Black for him, and when he said that he loved the film and my performance, I knew he was being genuine. There have been times in the past when he hasn’t liked a film, and said so. Of course, it works both ways, if I don’t like something that he’s done, I’m open about it. And he takes it.

I still can’t believe that he’s turned 40. I wish all the love and luck in the world to my special friend.

THE FAN
Kareena Kapoor on Shah Rukh Khan
Shah Rukh Khan is my hero. I’ve grown up on his films and performances. I react to him as any young girl does to her favourite actor. I am his biggest fan and have no qualms about personally buying his movie tickets at Fame Adlabs.

I think I am blessed to have done Asoka and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham with SRK. He calls me his Princess because I played the role of Princess Kaurwaki in Asoka.

I remember that he came for the premiere of my first film Refugee at Liberty. I was very excited to see him and Gauri, and I remember Lolo (Karisma Kapoor) asking me if my excitement was because of SRK or my first premiere. To which I replied passionately, ‘It’s SRK. Did he come to your first premiere?’ Lolo just grinned.

To me, SRK is the perfect man. I often pray to God that if I have a son, I want him to be like SRK in every way. I really dig his dimples and would really love it if my son had dimples like him.

SRK is special and he is completely unaware of his power

on people. He has a lot of magnetism, which also comes across on screen. But his charisma is his most potent weapon.

I know him through his movies and think that SRK makes the film. He’s a master. In that sense, he is like MF Husain—Husain gives a finishing touch to all his paintings so that they look like his creations, SRK does that with his performances.

With all respect to all his co-stars, their performances depend on him. It’s so visible. Having worked with him, I can pinpoint the exact instances when I’m sure he must have told them what to say, do, or how to talk. He can make anyone standing next to him look good.

When I look back at his performances in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman, Baazigar, Darr and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, I see a certain rawness in them. Now there is a certain polish, but the magnetism is unmistakable.

I shared lots of wonderful moments with him during Asoka. He talks a lot of sense about life and success. He’s very intelligent and everytime we meet, I learn something from him. He’s a very loving and caring person. I genuinely believe that everyone deserves what they get in life. And SRK deserves all his success because he is a wonderful human being.

And now that he’s turning 40, I just want him to know that he’s the sexiest 40-year-old I know.

THE FRIEND
Sushmita Sen on Salman Khan
If I have one 4 am friend, it’s Salman Khan. Though we started off on shaky ground (we’re both very headstrong), this friendship survived because of Salman.

When people say he’s the most misunderstood guy around, they’re right. But Salman doesn’t want to do anything about it. He says that if you’ve got to explain yourself, then the relationship doesn’t have anything going for it.

Salman is the most dependable family member and friend one could have. Everyone in his life comes before him. It’s one thing to have a family, another to have their respect. And Salman’s got it in abundance.

Professionally, he’s the only actor with the confidence to look me in the eye. He refused to let me give up my heels during Biwi No.1 even though David Dhawan insisted it would look bad visually. Salman said that chemistry is between people, not between their heights. It shows how secure he is as a person and as an actor.

He’s been through hell in his professional and personal life, but he doesn’t flinch. He takes everything on the chin. If Salman Khan believes in you, then he’ll stand up for you in the hardest of times and against your biggest rival.

Once, when my daughter Renee was about two-and-a-half years old, she fell seriously ill. Her condition worsened at around three in the morning, and my driver wasn’t around. I didn’t know what to do when suddenly Salman called and asked me to come over to the Lobby Bar (that’s what he calls his home) for a small party he’d organised for a friend. I told him about Renee, and he just hung up on me. In a record 15 minutes, he landed at my doorstep with a doctor. He stayed with Renee till 6 in the morning.

My child, now five, worships him. There are days when even I judge him, but she loves him unconditionally. They share a beautiful relationship. He’s constantly giving her chaabi: He tells her things like ‘I’ve bought a really cool bike and your mom is bad to not buy you one’. And right after that, he’ll show up with a miniature bike for her.

He’s a part of my family now. Everywhere I go, people ask me ‘Hey, how’s Salman?’ I always tell them that if they could see Salman Khan through my eyes, then they’d see no wrong.

Over the years, he’s really mellowed. He’s gotten in touch with a part of himself that was always there. He’s learned not to react to anything. In his personal life, he does everything for others, and where work is concerned, he doesn’t take it seriously and works only for himself.

I highly recommend Salman Khan as a friend to all ladies. But if you want to have a relationship with him, then I’d say the same thing that I tell Katrina Kaif every time I meet her: Poor baby! Kat and me laugh whenever I say that. That said, I really think he should get married because he’ll make a great father.

On his 40th birthday, I want to thank God that a man like him has walked the earth for 40 years. Because this man touches lives.