The star of the
week, and indeed of the whole year, is undoubtedly Salman
Khan. Just look at his career statistics from 1999. Five releases,
two hits and a super-hit. And a guest appearance in another hit (Sirf
Tum). The year started auspiciously for Sallu. The mega hit of
1998, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, continued its dream run through the first
half of this year. True, the movie was a Shah Rukh vehicle, but at least
it got the tiny muscleman his first ever Filmfare Award (for best
supporting actor). Then followed Jaanam Samjha Karo with Urmila.
Sure it was a flop, but Sallu escaped with his star appeal intact.
As was proved by the twin successes of Biwi No.1 and Hum Dil De Chuke
Sanam. The fact that two movies with the same star -- released within
a space of a fortnight of each other -- could attract such fantastic
initials, proved that Salman's fans had forgiven him for the
blackbuck-shooting fiasco. And Now he is the STAR OF THE
WEEK12 -19
DEC
Biwi No. 1 went
on to become a superhit - and the biggest commercial success of the
year. Although the film boasted of a huge star cast (Anil Kapoor,
Karisma, Tabu and Sushmita Sen), no one was under any illusion about the
major draw of the movie. As for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, though
co-star Ajay Devgan came up with a terrific performance as the strong,
silent husband of the heroine (Aishwarya Rai in her first ever commercial
success), it was Salman's usual loverboy routine that pulled in the
crowds. Then came that atrocity called Hello Brother. A
deserved flop, but it was Sallu's brothers Arbaaz (Sallu's co-star) and
Sohail (the director) who got all the flak. Leaving Salman with his halo
of stardom intact. As was proved by the tremendous initial commanded by
Sooraj Barjatya's Hum Saath-Saath Hain. True, the collections
are dropping off by the fourth week now. But not before it has already
accumulated a rich haul of almost Rs 25 crores. Mainly due to its
fantastic business abroad (the domestic market perhaps did not appreciate
the fact that Mohnish Behl had a better footage than their darling
Sallu!). The year draws to a close in two weeks time. Another new year,
a new millennium. Wonder what it has in store for the tallest 'short guy'
of Bollywood.
SHOWTIME! : Filmfare Online:
December 14, 1999 With
the extra frequency of all our shows abroad getting the expected lukewarm
response, it was time the stars went slow at shows. but not smart Salman. He
decided to turn to India itself to give us a taste of what he's capable of on
Indian shores. So, along with Karisma and Raveena, a show was organised in
Hyderabad. And guess what, it was a smash hit. In fact Sals can't stop gloating
ever since. What fun. The brawny lad has plenty of brains too after all.
NO PROLEMS WITH SOORAJ! : Filmfare Online: December 10, 1999 All those who were proclaiming that Salman Khan
and Sooraj Barjatya had had some irreconcilable differences and would never work
with each other again, get ready to eat dirt (and their words). Apparently, for
Sooraj's next film, Sals has been shortlisted yet again as one of the leads.
This time Sooraj plans not to take too long to launch his next and he's already
onto the scripting, etc. We hear that he's also been negotiating with Salman on
the subject. Egg on the face of all the 'alarmists'? Yeah. Rotten ones
too.
'THE BOND' IS NOT
ENOUGH! : Filmfare Online: December 07, 1999
The world is not
enough. Not for our very own desi stud Salman Khan. At least not the
regular movie world. And you may treat this as a scoop item of sorts
dearies, but the secret of the moment is that Salman is keen to do a desi
version of James Bond, with all the special effects, thrills, spills,
chills and kills of the record smashing Hollywood spy series. A big budget
xtravaganza is being planned on those lines by the Khan, and the format
will be the same as the action packed phoren films. It will be in Hindi of
course, and four new, model type girls will be selected to play the female
interests of Sals. Sounds good? Let's hope it is a big blockbuster like
all those Sean connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan films. and not another
Mithun style, Gunmaster G9, business. Knowing our Salman's penchant for
'polish', we are sure not.
BUDDIES AGAIN! : Filmfare Online:
November 23, 1999 The
last time Subhash Ghai and Salman Khan had met at a party it hadn’t exactly been
a joyous union. But now at the cassette release of ‘Kaho Na Pyaar Hai’ the two
met with such warm hugs and smiles that it took everyone by surprise. In fact,
all evening, the duo remained glued to each other for over three hours.
Laughing, joking, having dinner and even talking seriously. It did give rise to
much speculation that Subbi might be considering Sals too for his next.
FANFARE: Filmstrip: November 5, 1999
Torso baring Salman Khan was
shooting in Bombay recently, and the entire place was swarming with his
female fans. They were an eager bunch of collegians who, had managed to
sneak in three days in a row for a sneakie of their fave hero! On the
final day of the shoot when Salman heard about the bravado of his
admirers, he rushed out to meet them, signed autographs and chatted them
up with enthusiasm. Turning on his charm on an all time high, he even
gifted one of them his bracelet as a keepsake. Talk making someone's day,
Salman is doing well for starters.
HELLO FRIEND: Zee Premiere :
November, 1999 What
happens when foes turn friends? Simple, they sign a film together. That’s
exactly what Salman and Raveena did. Seven years after Patthar Ke Phool, during
the making of which their relationship was spiked with more patthars than
phools, Ravs is ready to fall in love on screen with Sallu all over again for
Shyam Bajaj’s next, Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaye. The first day on the sets they
appeared to be the best of friends with Salman staying put by Raveena’s side,
synching lines with her, suggesting their jointly improved and improvised
dialogues to scriptwriter Sanjay Chhel and ensuring that their first shot
together after saat saal was a one-take affair. "Wonderful, fantastic!" beamed
the director as Ravs and Salman called for a cake to celebrate their
reunion.
KAMAAL KI DOSTI: Digital Bollywood: October, 1999
Guess whose shoulder
Salman Khan is leaning on now that Ash is all but a closed chapter in his
life? Nope, it ain't no pretty young thing, in fact it is singer Kamaal
Khan, his buddy since Oo Jaane Jana...(from Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya) days.
Apparently Sallu recently asked Kamaal to move in bag and baggage in his
house when he discovered that the singer was desperately hunting for a
house. What's more, the crooner's magic seems to be working for his
actor-friend in real-life too. According to sources, ever since Kamaal
shifted to the Khan's bungalow, Sallu's eyes are twinkling once again!
Family sources claim that Salman, who was earlier going through a
desperate phase of loneliness, is back to being his jolly old self. Hmm...
perhaps it's Kamaal's soothing lullabys that seem to have lifted the
spirits of the lost-in-love Sallu.
SALMAN-JUHI: Midday : September
21, 1999 If politics
makes for strange bedfellows, Giants’ International makes strange stagefellows.
Which is how invitees witnessed award-winners Salman Khan, sitting with business
baron Mukesh Ambani, and the gorgeous Juhi Chawla chatting chirpily with tennis
super-star Mahesh Bhupathi at the prestigious Annual Giants’ Awards function
convened by its chairman Nana Chudasama. Believe it or not, thanks to his formal
suit, gelled hair and conventional chashma, awardee Salman Khan (notorious for
his shirt-less image) initially went unrecognised, until media lensmen spotted
him. “This intellectual look does not suit him, we prefer him in his casual
trendy outfits,” whispered a female fan to her neighbour. Apparently the Khan,
who has always had a raw deal when it came to filmi awards, was at a loss of
words whilst giving his acceptance speech. Hello Brother, he flippantly said.
Reacting to a shower of taarif for his penchant for social service, Salman was
off-beat. “If you do good deeds, talk about it, let others emulate you,” advised
the Khan who seemed to have some sort of a cold war brewing with Juhi Chawla.
STUPID CUPID : Midday : September
14, 1999 For reasons
best known to him, Salman Khan had a rather low-key premiere of his latest
home-production Hello Brother and a very discreet post-premiere party at his
Bandra apartment. In fact, the star gazers who gathered outside the Eros
theatre were baffled when they saw massive hoardings of Godmother instead of the
HB ones. No, Salman who stood in the lobby welcoming all his khaas mehmaan,
did not remove his shirt. But he kept changing his shirts, not in public view,
but in the rest room. Conspicuous by her absence was heroine Rani Mukherji who
is away on a series of stage shows abroad. Making up for Rani’s absence was a
bevy of guest heroines all soberly dressed, minus the sizzle. The list included
Tabu (with beau Sajid Nadiadwala), Preity Zinta (with boyfriend Marc Robinson),
Raveena Tandon (solo) and Neelam. Surprisingly, the scene-stealing hot babe
at the premiere was a dressed-to-kill Suman Ranganath who was with her
vivacious, star-material saheli Shahnaaz (who happens to be yesteryear heroine
Mumtaz’s niece). Anyway, the frivolous movie HB which has Salman getting killed
in the initial scenes, and then turning into a Cupid ghost who indulges in all
kinds of stupid masti, seems to be more of a promotional package for bhaijaan
Arbaaz who is the actual hero of the film. Right, Salman?
SALMAN HAS A SAY: The Times of India : September 12, 1999 With a face like that and a physique to match,
how difficult could it be to get your way around Bollywood? Not too tough, you'd
agree.
So although Salman Khan has been accused time and again of
repeating himself in each of his films, the fans can't get enough... Along with
Aamir, Shah Rukh, Govinda and Ajay Devgan, he's the only actor who can
greenlight films, choose his directors, option scripts, and have a say in
casting. But the bicep-bulging beefcake insists that he doesn't take advantage
of his star status. Pulling his Calvins just above the level of his jeans
(enough to show off the waistband), Salman picks up a dumb-bell and sweats it
out for some minutes before he heads for the shower where he will spend the next
few minutes soaping that much-ogled-at body. ``I don't take things too
seriously,'' he says, admitting that this attitude is often misinterpreted
by his filmmakers as indifference. ``Just because I don't eat, drink and
sleep movies doesn't mean they don't matter,'' he says, running a towel
through that slowly-thinning mop of hair. ``I like not to worry myself
unnecessarily,'' he adds, wrapping that towel tightly around his waist.
``I just do my thing and let the rest be.'' Spraying a deodorant
generously, he claims he's the easiest person to work with. ``Most of my
filmmakers have repeated me, and almost nobody has called me
unprofessional,'' he says putting on a vest that clearly outlines his
physique. Reaching for a pair of cargo pants that lie ironed on his sofa, he
says his co-stars seldom complain about him. ``I know I have this reputation
of being an obnoxious brat, but there isn't one person I've worked with who will
say I'm difficult.'' Grabbing a pack of his favourite cigarettes and a sleek
lighter, Salman proceeds to step into his car, and speeds off to an exciting
life ahead. ``I'm here to enjoy myself and to enjoy my work. I don't want to
be burdened with any additional worries,'' he signs off, leaving a trail of
smoke behind him...
SALMAN-KARISMA Partners in
Prime: Filmfare: September 03, 1999
Yes, it is now
official. Karisma Kapoor and Salman Khan have signed on the dotted line
and agreed to become partners -- in entertainment (what did you think?)
With the ever increasing craze for stage shows abroad, a large number of
entertainment companies are keen to tie up with the hottest stars. The
latest superstar tie-up is that of Karisma Kapoor who has tied up with
Salman Khan's G.S. Entertainment Company for stage shows. The duo has
become hot property,especially after the huge success of 'Biwi No.1'. get
ready for stage-show number one… and two and three…
HELLO, SALMAN BAN GAYA SINGER: The Times of India : August 19, 1999 Tips has just released the music of Sohail
Khan's next film Hello Brother. Priced a little higher than the normal rates,
the \film has seven tracks including theme music of the film and a song sung by
Salam Khan, Chandi Ki Daal Par. To give more value to the product, the remixes
of four songs have also been added to the album. The pick of ther album is
Teri Chunariya which has been composed by Himesh Reshmiya who had earlier
composed Odh Li Chunariya for Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya. While there are many
similarities in the track the bottom line is that the song is catchy and has
been colourfully picturised. In keeping with the spirit of the film(Have Fun
the tag line of the film says) all the tracks are light in nature with catchy
beats. Hata Sawan Ki Ghata(Babul Supriyo and Jaspinder Narula)stands out mainly
because of it's spicy lyrics. The surprise element of the album is Salman
Khan. Unlike other stars who merely recite their lines in name of singing,
Salman has sung Chandi Ki Daal Par with lot of feel. More importantly it seems
he has taken up the singing assignment seriously. Hello Brother stars Salman
Khan, Rani Mukherjee and Arbaaz Khan. One of the quickest mainstream film to be
made made in recent times, the film is a romantic comedy where Salman Khan plays
a ghost after interval. Arbaaz Khan helps him get the girl(Rani Mukherjee). The
film is slated for a Septmebr 10 release.
SALLU'S DAPPER GHOST: Digital Bollywood : August 17,
1999 Salman Khan is all set to
spook viewers in his home production Hello Brother. News is that the actor plays
a ghost in the film! And if the publicity promos of the film are anything to go
by, Sallu sure makes quite a trendy ghost — one that sports glares, rides a
sports bike, and even croons to heroine Rani Mukherjee in Amsterdam's flower
fields. Incidentally, the film, which pits brothers Arbaaz and Salman for the
second time (after Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya) has no romantic angle. "I
deliberately decided to avoid the romantic angle as I wanted to make a different
film," says director Sohail Khan. "Sooraj (Barjatya), Adi (Chopra) and Karan
(Johar) have set such high standards in depicting romance that it would be
difficult to give the audience something new and go beyond them," he adds. Well!
here's wishing him all the luck, and hoping that the film's "different" beat
does not spook box-office collections.
GOOD, BETTER, BEST...: The Times of India : August 04,
1999 With such successes
as Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Jab Pyaar Kissise Hota Hai, Bandhan and Kuch Kuch
Hota Hai, last year belonged to him anyway. And seems like 1999 too, will be
the year of Salman Khan. Fine, so it didn't quite start with a bang:
Jaanam Samjha Karo bombed badly, but both Biwi No 1 and Hum Dil De Chuke
Sanam skyrocketed him to the top once again. In September comes Hello
Brother (``a complete comedy''), followed by Sooraj Barjatya's Hum Saath Saath
Hain (``the film each one of us is waiting for'') and before the year end he
will have at least one of the two David Dhawan comedies (which he's currently
working on) inching towards the finishing line. Meanwhile, hot-pot Salman
has been working out endlessly at the adequately-furnished gymnasium which his
new apartment boasts of. On the other hand, he's been raising funds for Kargil
victims, doing his bit for Cancer patients, and generally just being a good boy.
Unlike his contemporaries, he insists he's not into one-upmanship. And although
colleagues like Govinda and Sushmita have made a dig too many at him in print,
the macho star doesn't have a rude word to say. ``I think I get along quite well
with everyone I work with,'' he insists. ``Nobody has ever told me that I've
hurt them or upset them, so why should I believe what is written in magazines?''
he asks.
HIP N' HAPPENING PEOPLE: Cine Blitz : August, 1999
The event was
organised by Sanjeev Choudhury,(Acting) Consul and Trade Commissionner,
Canada. SALMAN KHAN, who is all heart, interacting with children afflicted
by cancer at Three Flights Up. It was heart-warming darlings and I'm sure
SALIM, SALMA and HELEN( who were all there), must have been so proud of
their star son! Salman also collected 10 lakhs from 10 industry people
like, KETAN DESAI, NITIN MANMOHAN, PEHLAJ NIHALANI, DAVID DHAWAN, SANJAY
DUTT, KRISHEN KUMAR, SALIM KHAN, SAJID NADIADWALA and others.
IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: India
Bollywood : July 23, 1999 After wooing the whole nation with his ebullient performance as singer
Sameer in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s musical bonanza Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, hunky
Khan is now toying with the idea of turning a director. No one need be startled
by his decision for he had assisted K Shashilal Nair way back during the making
of Angaar. Salman had also supplied story ideas for his films Baaghi and
Chandramukhi. So film direction is by no means an alien territory to hunky Khan.
THE MR. HYDE IN SALMAN
KHAN: Digital Bollywood : July 23, 1999
If there's one star, who
continues to be an enigma for the industry and fans alike, it is Salman
Khan. One minute he's the thoughtless, crude, incorrigible superbrat, and
the next, he surprises you with his softer, mushier side. The actor
recently exhibited enough evidence of his gentle, kind soul when he
mingled happily with children afflicted with cancer at Three Flights Up
during an event organised by Sanjeev Choudhury, (Acting) Consul and Trade
Commissioner, Canada. Sallu was all warmth and tenderness as he interacted
with the kids and made their day by patiently signing autographs and
shaking hands. The actor also took the trouble of collecting a sum of Rs
10 lakhs from industry folks for the children.
BOLLYWOOD STARS VS INDIAN CRICKET TEAM : July 11, 1999 A football match between Bollywood stars and the Indian Cricket team was
held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan,
Sanjay Dutt and many other stars participated in this match which was held to
raise funds for the welfare of Kargil martyrs and refugees.
BOLLYWOOD STARS VISIT KARGIL HEROES - All
India News : July 09, 1999 Several bollywood stars today visited Kargil to express their solidarity
with the Indian soldiers fighting to evict pakistan-backed intruders from Indian
territory. Rajya Sabha MP and actress Shabana Azmi, her husband and
lyricist Javed Akhtar, Vinod Khanna, Salman Khan, Sunil Shetty, Pooja Batra,
Raveena Tandon, Javed Jaffery and Amir Hussain visited the army hospital at
Kargil and enquired about the well-being of the wounded soldiers. During
their brief interaction with media persons in Srinagar before their departure to
Delhi, the stars said they had gone to Kargil to salute the army personnel for
their valour and high morale. They announced they would arrange various
programmes to raise funds for the welfare of Kargil martyrs and refugees.
SALMAN SINGS - Filmstrip : June
26,1999 Salman Khan
just recorded a song for his home-production Hello Brother. He follows other
actors like Aamir Khan and Govinda who have recorded their own songs. Salman has
hummed the easy lyrics set to a lilting tune. Salman's younger brother Sohail
directs Hello Brother. Salman is supposed to appear as a ghost during most of
the film. He also plays the role of a petty thief and Arbaaz Khan plays the cop
on his trail. Rani Mukerji, plays the ghosts lady love. Sajid-Wajid and Himesh
Reshmaiya set the scores of the songs.
SALMAN : IN STEP WITH SUCCESS - Times of India : June
16, 1999 The man is
back after a long spell abroad. Yes, Salman Khan may have missed the release of
his Biwi No 1 while he was away shooting in Switzerland, but the actor is back
in town for the release of his latest film, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam which opens
this Friday. Meanwhile, Salman also makes a teeny-weeny appearance in Boney
Kapoor's Sirf Tum which releases today(June 11, 1999). Even as his films
continue to hit the marquee in quick succession, the macho hero was busy
completing some patchwork shooting for Sooraj Barjatya's Hum Saath Saath Hain at
Famous Studios on Monday. On Tuesday, he stayed home to watch India and Pakistan
wrestle it out on the cricket field, and soon after he was back to the studios.
``I want to enjoy my success,'' he complained as he headed into the distant
suburbs for yet another gruelling shoot. ``I haven't had a day's rest in a long
time,'' he grumbled. He's enjoying the fact that his films are doing well,
however, and Jaanam Samjha Karo is a distant memory.
SALMAN'S AID - Indian Express : June 15,
1999 Salman Khan is one
personality who is just unable to keep his name out of the papers. The big
question at the moment is: Does he love Ash or Somy? But Salman is not letting
all this press get in the way of his day-to-day life. In fact,next Monday, he
will be making a special appearance at Three Flights Up, from 6.30 to 9.30 pm to
meet children who suffer from cancer. The event is being organised by Sanjeev
Chowdhury who has been working closely with the Cancer Patients' Aid Association
for some time now. The CPAA will also receive a cheque of Rs two lakh collected
from various well-known industrialists including Harsh Goenka, Mukesh Ambani and
Gulu Mirchandani. So perhaps this actor who is better known as an arrogant brat
on his sets, does have a heart after all.
SALMAN - THE MIDNIGHT IDOL- Mid-day : June 15,
1999 Of late, the
Bollywood industry has been minus its quota of starry parties thanks to the
World Cup cricket-mania. So the launch of the latest hotspot pub-discotheque at
Juhu called ‘Cocktails & Dreams’ owned by Ashwin Kumar and Sandeep Arora
witnessed a galaxy of stars and top models freaking out on the inaugural night.
The star turn-out included Jeetendra, Mahesh Thakur, Ritu Shivpuri, Dino Morea,
Mamta and Aseem Merchant, Madhur Purushay, Sheeba Bhakri, Tejaswini Kolhapure,
Neelam Sagar, Preeti Jhangiani, a host of veejays and, of course, Salman Khan
(minus any female escort!). In fact, Salman who strutted in after midnight,
was accompanied by director David Dhawan and both were in a jubilant mood what
with their Biwi No 1 turning out to be a mega-hit, despite the World Cup
matches. There was a merry muqaabla between the stud model Dino ‘Siddhant’
Morea (hero of Pyar Mein Kabhi Kabhi) and the Khan when it came to being mobbed
by female fans. With his naughty look and strip-tease T-shirt, Salman had the
babes swooning for him, while Dino (whose girlfriend Bipashu Basu is shooting
abroad) had girls distracting him. As he swung and boogied on the dance floor,
Salman predicted to me that his next romantic starrer Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
will be a big hit! Surely ‘good friend’ Aishwarya Rai (who badly needs a
hit) will be thrilled to hear this advance forecast! Particluarly since ‘rival’
Sushmita Sen notched up her first success with Salman in Biwi No 1.
THE PRICE OF
STARDOM - Zee Premiere : June, 1999
Salman had a lunch date the other
day and it wasn’t with Ash, Somy or his Biwi No 1, Karisma. He was all
excited to share his repast with his best buddy, Sanjay Dutt. After Saajan
and the now-abandoned Dus, Sanju and Sallu are again doing a film
together, Chal Mere Bhai. The shoot was at the Oberoi Flight Kitchen
and though Salman was terribly jet-lagged since he’d only flown in the
evening before and then dubbed through the night, he was on the sets on
the dot, smiling happily at SanjuThe two pals couldn’t wait for the lunch
break to be announced so they could yak yak about the good old days and
the good new days over a tikka or two. But their grand plans went for a
six by hordes of overenthusiastic fans who serenaded them with their best
songs all through the break.
SALMAN GETS A BOY FRIDAY- Digital
Bollywood : May 25, 1999 Salman's happening status has resulted in him being flooded with dates
for shoots, stageshows and photocalls. In fact so busy has Khan been of late
that keeping track of his engagements has become a pain and he has also missed
quite a few. This has prompted Salman to recruit a personal secretary. The boy's
duty is to remind Salman of his daily itinerary and see to it that he attends
them. Salman's friends are finding this move of his very amusing, and the joke
doing the rounds is that given Salman's penchant for dropping his pants, the
boy's most important duty would be to remind Sallu to put on his undies every
morning. That's inside information for you!
ASH ASH BABY - India Bollywood : May,
1999 Shiv Sena supremo
Balasaheb Thackeray presided over and Chief Minister Narayan Rane also attended
the recently held Musical Dhamaka organised by the Lions Club along with SOL
Welfare Association at Andheri Sports Complex. The proceeds of this star-studded
gala are being used for the beautification of Mumbai.The occasion also marked
the 5th Lions Gold Award ceremony which was a major no-show as the majority of
prize winners failed to turn up to collect their trophies. Proceedings did perk
up however, when Salman Khan jigged his way mid-stage, took over the mike and
started singing Bhangra pa le number from Karan Arjun. Mercifully Kumar Sanu
came to the timely rescue of the audience and sang the rest of the number while
Salman dazzled the on-lookers in his shimmering white get-up. Surprisingly Khan
didn’t trip-off his shirt this time. He remained fully clothed all along.
Just as he was making an exit with the refrain of Aaja aaja…, hostess Ruby
Bhatia quipped naughtily," Aa gayi aa gayi" and then she grimaced and added,
"Hope Ash won’t mind". Obviously she was referring to the alleged romance
between the former Ms World and the sensational Khan that the scandal sheets are
publicising with great relish. But the truth of the matter only the concerned
parties know. Last we asked Ash about it, she had brushed the whole "affair" off
as, "We do get along well. Like I do with everybody else, I am a friendly soul,"
she had reasoned amicably.
SALLU THE STRIPPER - IndoLink : May, 1999
Salman is definitely
on a new trip, now. Goodbye Somy, hello Aish. Goodbye boycotting award
ceremonies, hello Filmfare award. Goodbye being off-press, hello to a few
select interviews. And now - goodbye to stripping from the waste up, hello
to taking it all (except the chaddi's) off... Yes, in a recent starshow in
London, Sallu miya has outdone the bade's and the chotte's by stripping
all the way down to his underwear on stage. The ladies all blew whistles.
The husbands tried to cover their wives' eyes. Some call it tasteless. But
I'm sure Sallu's philosophy is - if you've got it - flaunt it.
(Incidentally, there is an internet campaign to vote him as one of the
sexiest men of the century for People Magazine. Good luck, Sallu...).
FINALLY - Filmfare :
April, 1999
Like I said on
stage, I've accepted the award and now I'm completely chilled out about
it. Some people did ask me, how come I accepted when I've always said that
I wouldn't. To that, I have a simple answer: I'm entitled to change my
mind. The award function had a special significance for me. I had
promised to be there, no matter what. Helen Aunty was getting the Lifetime
Achievement Award. Arbaaz, Sohail and I felt deeply honoured that we were
presenting it to her. Really, explanations and controversies are
futile. I was there, I enjoyed the evening. I was thrilled to be on stage
with Helen Aunty. I was thrilled when my friend Kamaal Khan won the RD
Burman award. I had to leave for film shooting abroad, soon after the
function. And I felt great. I thought a lot about the evening and I
remember that when the flight took off for Singapore, I was smiling
happily, thinking about the Filmfare award evening, which I will always
remember.
AWARDS NOMINATIONS - Filmfare & Zee Cine Awards : February 1,
1999
SALMAN KHAN
HAS BEEN NOMINATED BY
FILMFARE:
Best Actorfor Pyar Kiya To Darna
Kya
Best Actor in a Supporting
Role for Kuch
Kuch Hota Hai
ZEE CINE
AWARDS:
Best Actorfor Pyar Kiya To Darna
Kya
Best Actorfor Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota
Hai
Best Actor in a Supporting
Role for Kuch
Kuch Hota Hai
NOT SUCH A BRAT - India Bollywood : February 1, 1999 Salman, celebrated for his brawls wasn’t at his
brattish best at our awards ceremony. The poster boy pranced about in childish
gaiety before going up the stage for his short-n-sweet comic skit with brother
Arbaaz. But the enfant terrible was surprisingly adapted an easy-going attitude
for the evening. He even lent a helping hand to the TV camera trolley bearers
raising it to the requisite vantage point. Needles to say that the starstruck
workers were all praise for the lover boy. Seems like Salman is finally coming
of age in real life as well.
MIFF TIFF - Filmfare : February,
1999 At the
well-attended Arbaaz Khan-Malaika Arora wedding, only Somy Ali was conspicuous
by her absence. Where was she? Was she miffed with the fresh lot of rumours
about Salman Khan? Can't conjecture what happened but another batch of
rumours have it that Salman once again missed Somy and was feeling so low
without her that he air-dashed with bhai Sohail to the US to assert that his
heart beats for her... and for no one else. Incidentally, Salman's birthday
on December 27 was celebrated with a surprise party at the Shatranj on Pali
Hill. Among the select invitees, there were Neelam, Sonali Bendre, Aishwarya
Rai, Jackie Shroff, David Dhawan, Shakti Kapoor (gasp), singer Kamal Khan and
his steady date Amrita Arora, and newcomer Divya Palat. Surprisingly, the party
wound up pretty quickly, indicating that perhaps Salman is mellowing.
SALLU'S BIRTHDAY - Digital Bollywood : January 27, 1999 It was Salman Khan's birthday and Sallu miyan
promptly dialled his chums (guys and gals) to party. But all his requests were
turned down. Reason: Director David Dhavan had planned a surprise party for him
in the upmarket Italian restaurant, Shatranj. The big question was how to get
Salman to show up without revealing the surprise. So the director asked him to
drop in and give his opinion on whether a part of the restaurant was worth a
buy. Sallu, obviously, obliged. By the way, the entire operation was handled by
Sallu's best friend Neelam - also, the go-in-between Sallu and David.
PERFORMANCE AT SCREEN
AWARDS - Screen : January 22, 1999 It was time for some more entertainment which
was lapped up by the crowds sprawled all over the stadium. The two brothers,
Salman Khan and Arbaaz Khan (dressed in a police officer’s uniform) took the
stage and performed a skit which kept the crowds in splits. They found a whole
lot of new admirers that night because what they did that night proved that they
had the rare ability to laugh at themselves. That’s entertainment if
entertainment has to mean real good healthy entertainment. It was good to know
the Khans were so good...
MALAIKA-ARBAAZ WEDDING - Madame M, Cine Blitz : January,
1999 A little on the
Malaika-Arbaaz wedding. It went off like a dream darlings. She looked gorgeous,
he looked hot! Close friends who assembled at the Piano Bar to celebrate later,
came away saying they had had a fab time. But I, who was seated at a private
dinner for two at China Garden, saw Helen, Salma, Salim, Sohail & Seema,
Salman, but NO Somy. When I told George to enquire, he was told that she had
flown to London at the last minute. Naturally loves, people are spewing forth
all about their split! Am I surprised? Never! Because Salman told me that his
new year resolution was to marry Somy. So there!
(1998-2001)
SALMAN KHAN BY ALI Designed And Maintained By Ali, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
