I dont sell boredom to my audience

There was a time when everyones films were doing well and my films bombed. I didnt panic because I knew those films were going to fail. Some films I had to do for certain reasons,others I wasnt allowed to make the way I wanted to. But today,I know it is my responsibility to see that every person who buys a ticket to watch my film gets his/her worth. I dont want to sell boredom to my audience.

Is that why people label you as interfering these days?

I dont give a damn about what people say. Even if they feel that I am interfering or controlling,I will do what is right for the film.

What brought about this change in your attitude?

My movie Veer. After completing the shooting for Veer,I wasnt completely satisfied. I wanted to shoot for an additional 18 days. There were some bits I wanted to add and some I wanted to delete. I wanted the film to go from one high point to another. But the producer and director announced the release date the day we wrapped up the shoot,and I couldnt do anything. I then sat on the edit,but the edit did not go the way I wanted it to. That day I decided that no matter what it takes,I will sit on the edit of each of my films.

Do you believe you are currently the number one actor in Bollywood?

Number ones change every Friday. We make our movie with a lot of heart and passion but only a Friday can decide if we have done it right. After three consecutive hits,there could be a colossal flop that could change it all. If you are saying this looking at my recent track record,then let me tell you that Ready isnt as big a hit as Dabangg was. It could be the biggest movie of the year,but every year business increases by 20 per cent and in that sense it did not match up to Dabangg. Also,if tickets for Maine Pyaar Kiya and Hum Aapke Hain Koun were sold at todays prices,we would not be able to compete. Those movies ran for five years.

Do you take credit for bringing the formula back?

I am sure I will go wrong in that formula too. When you see success in a genre,you tend to get carried away. You take that image to be your image and then you end up being a caricature of yourself.

In that sense,are you worried that Bodyguard might look repetitive after Wanted,Dabangg and Ready?

No,I am not. Thats because Bodyguard has a lot of heart and innocence in it. It is like a contemporary Maine Pyaar Kiya. It shows the purest form of love.

There were reports of a fallout between you and Himesh Reshammiya. How did you get him to compose the music for Bodyguard?

(Gesturing dismissively) We had Pritam compose a romantic track for us,I Love You. But then we wanted something dhamakedaar and that isnt Pritams forte. So I called Himesh and told him to make music for us. In half an hour he was ready with three songs.

But then he had sworn to not make music for films other than his own.

Please yaar,everyone wants to make music in this industry. And Himesh is such a talented guy,I am sure he wanted to come back.

You arent among the best dancers in the industry,but these days you seem to be innovating with your dance moves.

Even today I do only easy steps,which children can imitate. Now that I have run out of hands in pocket,on the belt,holding the collar etc. I will have to finally start dancing.

Kareena Kapoor and you havent been the most successful pair in Bollywood. Is that a reason for worry?

I dont believe in history. Some people have been saying this is a panvati,unlucky couple. All this is rubbish. She suited the role and hence we took her on.

But you have often said that you look upon Kareena as Karisma (Kapur)s kid sister. Has she grown up in your eyes?

I dont look at her as a baby anymore,I look at her as a babe now (smiles). I have done almost 13 films with her sister and I used to often see her hanging out at the sets. So when I started working with her it was difficult for me to look at her as a grown-up girl. But then this time I was like,What is wrong with me? Why am I thinking of her as a kid? I should look at her as a woman. Our chemistry this time is just outstanding; on screen that is. If I say off screen,Saif (Ali Khan) heart attack se marr jayega (laughs).

Katrina Kaif and you make a much-talked about comeback in a song in Bodyguard and then in YRFs Ek Tha Tiger. Considering your history,were you sceptical about working with her?

Not at all. I have been bodyguarding Katrina for so many years now,so I thought I might as well bodyguard her on screen as well (winks). She is doing a guest appearance in the film where she plays Katrina Kaif,the star,and I am her bodyguard. We have also started shooting for Ek Tha Tiger.

With masala flicks working for you,would you now consider doing some serious cinema?

What I do is serious cinema.

And how is that?

Any movie that pulls people into the theatre is serious cinema. All of us want to see heroes and not wimps. Right?

But when the film does well and you win awards,you refuse to accept them.

I dont want any awards. They do not make sense to me. I have decided to remove my name from all nomination lists henceforth.

But that is the ultimate recognition for actors.

I get it when the theatres are full,when the audiences clap and whistle in the stands,when the movie runs for days and weeks,and audiences watch it again and again.

Do you look at your films after theyve been released?

Till the release of the film I am there with the film,after that the audience can decide what they want to do with it. I am not one of those producers or actors who says Audience ko picture samajh main nahin aayi. They have given money to watch it,if they dont understand it,who will?

Whose advice is most important to you?

Anybodys that makes sense. Anyone who comes up to me after watching a shot or promo and says,Arre yeh kharaab hai yaar,kuch jam nahin raha hai…. I dont even bother asking why and immediately ask for it to be changed or deleted.

Do you now pay more attention to promoting your films and interacting with the media?

Not at all. I just do what I am asked to do by the production and PR team. I never think of any PR exercises on my own. But these days I do use the 15-20-day promotion period for Being Human. I visit hospitals and donate money to those who I know will use it for a cause and not just for administrative purposes.

You have just launched your production house Being Human Salman Khan with Chillar Party. What kind of movies do you plan to make under your banner?

Films like Chillar Party,which are happy,sweet and fun. Not the type that give gyaan. They may not do well at the box-office,but when people watch it on DVDs and television they appreciate the content.