SALMAN - An Evergreen Hero

What is it about Salman Khan that makes him an evergreen hero? And much talked about man. SALMANMAGIC.com unravels the man behind the star.

His looks: Salman was the man who started off the trend of working out to build big biceps.

Khalid Mohammed believes that Salman is still around because "he happens to be the original hunk, one of the first to start the trend of body building." The fitness-crazy actor is rumoured to be on steroids.

The audiences have been pretty indulgent with the star. Bad performances and bad films haven’t really affected his box office standing. Three successful films over the last one and half years --Biwi No. 1, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega, a semi-hit Chal Mere Bhai, and the blockbuster Chori Chori Chupke chupke, means that the brawny Khan is still in the reckoning.

What Goes Against Him: The fact that he is ageing, and soon, he will look his age. He is already balding. 

Things Are Good For Him: Three hits over the last one year, the picture perfect Aishwarya Rai for a girlfriend, and a brand new flat, some 3000 square feet, stretching over the whole floor.

Salman says, "I have worked hard for it all. The success, the adulation. Why should anyone grudge me my due?"

Funny Man: Salman also seems to have somewhat found his niche with Biwi No.1, where he discovered his comic side. "Comedy is something that is inherent in my family. My dad is a humorous man, both my brothers Arbaaz and Sohail have a great sense of humour. Even my relatives from my mum’s side are all extremely funny."

Now only if he could get a little serious about his comedy. Directors like Sanjay Leela Bhansali say that though Salman is a talented actor, he is not serious about his job. "What nonsense. Seriousness is not visible in your outward appearance. Just because I have a casual attitude towards life doesn’t mean I am not serious," he says.

Frankly, Salman has been lucky in getting the right breaks at the right time. And the right directors, whether it is Sooraj Barjatya or Sanjay Leela. Someone like Salman can perform well if the director is good, but can be a disaster with a bad one.

The Violent Salman: If professionally, Salman is accused of being a rake, personally, he is alleged to be a heel. Journos talk about how unapproachable he is. One of them says, "He stares at you all the time, and a very unpleasant stare, as if you are not wanted on the sets. He never gives you time, or extends any courtesies."

"I am not like that. Just that I am not very outgoing with people I don’t know well. I am fine with my friends and family."

Some of his girlfriends may not agree. Like Somy Ali who was unceremoniously dumped for Aishwarya. Somy can vouch for his violent ways. He once dumped a whole glass of beer on her head in a restaurant.

A few months ago there were reports of him having bashed up Aishwarya. Then of course, there was the Jodhpur incident where he was arrested for hunting down a few deer. "It was horrid being arrested, especially because my dad was dragged into it. I thought it was unfair to target him. But at some time, I switched off mentally."

So What Helped?: Salman claims that it was his best friend Sanjay Dutt who helped him through the trauma. "I thought if I broke down on being jailed for some days, it must have been so tough for Sanju, who was arrested for two years."

Sallu says that the whole experience has made him stronger. "It’s hardships like these that make you a hero off-screen. There are a lot of things that happen which you haven’t planned for."

Often described as rude and unfriendly, the actor begs to differ. "It's the people in the media who have been ticked off by me because of my point-blank, mooh-phat attitude, who have spread such tales about me. But frankly, I don't care. My fans have the intelligence to distinguish truth from lies. They know what I really am, and that's what matters in the end anyway," he says.

Wants Marriage : If there is one thing he would like to plan, though, it is his wedding. He is tight-lipped about his girlfriend. "Don’t expect me to tell you who she is. I have found someone and I am happy with her, but I am not gonna take names."

And Wants Holidays Too: What he would also like to plan are holidays, something that he has not done for years. "Vacations are few and far between," he adds. "Even foreign trips are mainly to do with work."

During his last trip to London, "I managed to take a day off and shopped like crazy," Salman admits. "Mostly clothes and accessories," he says.

A self-confessed T-shirt freak, Salman says he picked up a bunch of tees from various places including the DKNY showrooms, the Calvin Klein stores and the Channel shop. "I don't think there's anything wrong in spending money on branded items if you can afford it," he says. "I don't think money is for hoarding."

Who Are His Friends: His friends are few and "really dear." Like director David Dhawan who is "my close pal," Salman insists. And Sanjay Dutt and Shah Rukh Khan.

Another friend, filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, is all gushy about his favourite actor. "The thing about Salman is that he'll stand by you always. He's not a fair-weather friend who vanishes when you need him the most."