Mumbai, Sep 30 (Mid-day): Salman Khan on hosting the latest season of 'Bigg Boss', reacting to rumours about extending financial help to farmers' widows and getting 'credit' without reason
Salman Khan has played godfather to many industry strugglers, most of whom never shy away from acknowledging their indebtedness to him. But, he, clearly, is not in favour of "name-dropping" without rhyme or reason.
"Sab log mere naam ke bill faado (everyone takes my name just for the sake of it)," he says, reacting to recent statements made by director Nikhil Advani and actress Kangana Ranaut. While the former credited Salman for giving him the opportunity to direct his production venture 'Hero', Kangs had revealed that she did her last film (Nikhil's 'Katti Batti') on the star's insistence.
"I had told Kangana that he (Nikhil) was willing to narrate a script and she should go hear it out. If someone tells me to hear something, I will do it. But I will accept it only if I like it. And I didn't approach Nikhil to take up 'Hero'. It was his understanding and his decision to do it. I only had my lead pair — Athiya (Shetty) and Sooraj (Pancholi)," states Salman, speaking to hitlist on the sidelines of the launch of a 'Bigg Boss 9' hosted by him. The 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' star made a grand entry at the event with his latest song, 'Main Hoon Hero Tera', playing in the background. He seemed to be in his element as he cracked jokes and grilled one and all present — from the makers and sponsors to ex-contestants and background dancers. He then pointed at a witness box which was used as a prop and said: "I wish to never stand in it again in my life."
After his gig, he was ready to take questions from the media. The actor looked a bit tired, but was prompt with his answers. Asked about rumours about him quitting the show season after season, he said, "It is not a rumour. I am the one who says it, but these people (makers) manage to convince me. Trust me, this is going to be my last season. This time, I am serious, I will at least give it a break. I would want to do something bigger and better."
Since many stars see the reality show as a medium to promote their films, can one expect his ex-flame Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to use the platform for her comeback vehicle, Jazbaa? "Bahut jazbaati question poochh liya tumne (you have asked me a really emotional question)," he smiled and started humming the 'Aate jaate jo milta hai' track from his 2000 film 'Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega'. He added that he wouldn't mind Shah Rukh Khan coming on the show to promote his Christmas release 'Dilwale'.
Countering reports that a portion of 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' collections would go to the widows of farmers who have committed suicide in the state, Salman said: "It is a lie. I will do it when I will know how to do it. We are currently dealing with children with heart ailments and that itself is tough because we really do not get big donations from anyone.