I don't have enemies, just don't like a few people, says Salman; opens theatre chain
Salman Khan’s reputation is that when he makes friends, he keeps them close, but when he makes enemies, he doesn’t spare them either.
In an interview with DNA, the ‘Race 3’ actor was asked if he is racing against himself. On this, Khan said, "The only person you should ever race against is yourself. When you do that, you take your own level up. That is the most satisfying yet the most painful thing. Until the audience sees your pain, the hard work that you have put in to look your best, to fight and still appear effortless on screen, they do not appreciate you. I’ve always believed that instead of putting someone’s level down, one should continuously attempt to raise that of your own. One is in a race to raise one’s level higher. Everyone is building their own quality quotient. You are encouraged by watching your seniors to rise to their standard, while the juniors motivate you to raise the bar, so the table doesn’t drop."
When asked about comparison with ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’, he said, "TZH’s action was rustic. In Race 3, there are cars, bikes and physical jumps from greater heights, etc. The action is not only hand-to-hand combats but is also stylised. When you’re fighting for your family, it’s a different emotion altogether. You know there will be twists and turns at the end of the film, but you don’t know what they will be when you’re watching it. You will be guessing who is with whom and when that opens up, you go into flashback and understand kisne kiske saath kya game kiya hai. That’s also the film’s format. This is also different from the previous Race films. It’s a whole new movie. I wanted this to be a U-rated film, but we got U/A due to the action scenes."
Ask him about friends and enemies and he quips, "I don’t have enemies. It’s just that I don’t like a few people. It’s very obvious because I make no bones about it. Just because someone is born a few years before me, it’s no reason for me to respect him. If that person keeps on disrespecting me or any member of my family, I refuse to give him due regard. There are one or two families from whom I have not got that respect and love. That’s where it ends. Some people from the industry will never be welcomed in my home."
"I definitely believe that whether someone is a senior or a junior, you shouldn’t be disrespectful to them. Especially, if you are working with them. However, if that person is taking you for an idiot and is being disrespectful, then that’s not done," added Salman.
He further said, "Salman Khan is worried about Salman Khan every single day. I’m not the most politically correct person you will meet. And, I think it is important for one to be right. It’s the best thing. You are called the grassroots man. Why do you think you got this tag? That is the upbringing given to me by my parents. I spent my childhood with my family and friends. I have lived on farmlands, with kisaans till the age of 16 in Indore from where my father hails. All through my growing up years, for a few months each year, I’ve seen the metros as well as rural areas. I know the language of the city and the heartland. That is my plus point. I’m fortunate my father was from there. It’s important to sit with people who are a lot more intelligent and experienced than you are, instead of those who just praise you. Sometimes in life, it is important to listen rather than trying to win every argument. You may not get it at that point of time, but a few years later, you understand the value of sitting with more informed and intelligent people who have compassion. That has been my journey."
Salman’s journey doesn’t end there, since the actor is finally opening a theatre chain called ‘Salman Talkies’. According to Mumbai Mirror report, 'Salman Talkies' has been his passion project for last two years.
He told the daily, “I had a lot of plans for the theatre chain but it’s taking me longer because I need to be very careful. There are a lot of logistical details involved so that the project doesn’t shut down. But let me clarify, the theatres will not be in Bandra or Juhu, but on the outskirts of Mumbai.”
“There are so many things I want to do in the exhibitor and distributor space, and by turning distributor with Race 3, I have taken my first step in that direction. This chain adds another aspect to my portfolio,” he concluded.
