The time is right to catch up with India's superstar Salman Khan's father. After the court drama last month over Salman's accident case, nobody from the Khan family has spoken up yet. And who better than the head of the family who minces no words!
We caught with the celebrated writer who still speaks in dialogues which will draw a thousand claps in cinema halls. Welcoming us very warmly, he said: "Maine aapke saath commitment ki thi is interview ki, aur aaj main poori karunga."
We looked around his beautiful renovated house and asked him if he was tempted at any stage to make it flashy. Pat came the reply: "Jo teen sadiyon se raees ho, usko Mercedes ki chabi glass ke table par phekne ki zaroorat nahin padti."
We knew we were in for a very frank and bold session. This is what transpired:
Has it been easy being a father to five children- Salman, Sohail, Arbaaz, Alvira and Arpita. Who has been the naughtiest and who has been the most sensitive amongst them?
No two children can be the same. Hence, my wife (Salma) and I had different rules for each of them. We live and let live. I didn't interfere even when my sons brought their girlfriends home. Else they would've been sitting with them on the Bandstand rocks! (pauses)
Hmmm...
Recently, a friend of mine came over for a drink to say that he was very depressed since his son was setting out to live separately. I told him: Your problem was my ambition.
Really?
All my children live separately and they are still my best friends. You know what! At times, I see one of them sleeping in the drawing room when I get up in the morning. I immediately understand that the child in question has had a problem at home. That child stays with me for three/four days and goes back. Who doesn't have problems at home?
Agreed that no two children can be the same. But can you elaborate on this from your personal experience?
Arbaaz and Salman are as different as chalk and cheese. Arbaaz is a very punctual guy, but Salman never gives importance to time. Please don't forget that Salman never leaves a shoot unfinished, which is why filmmakers still love to repeat him. Ek achche insaan ki pehchan kya hai? Ek achcha insaan wahi hota hai jiske dost aur naukar purane ho.
What is the most important quality you wanted to inculcate in your children?
I don't give importance to intelligence. I have seen a lot of intelligent people messing up their lives. I give importance to sensibility. Raj Kapoor, Mehboob Khan, Bimal Roy- did they claim they were intellectuals? Has anybody made masterpieces like them? Aur shayyad koi banayega bhi nahi.
Let's go over to the 'intelligent' filmmakers of today. Why do they make simple things look so complicated in their films? Why not make films which everybody can understand? I think I have answered your question.
Tell us about the schooling days of Salman, Sohail, Arbaaz...
Sohail was a mischievous child. He was expelled from school and had to finish his schooling privately. I pleaded with the Father (Principal)- but to no avail. The same Father came down to live in Helen's building after many years. One day, he said that he wanted Sohail to attend one of his functions as a guest. He asked me if Sohail would comply.
Did you rewind the clock?
Yes, I did. Father could not believe his ears and eyes.
How was Salman at school?
How was Salman at school?
He was a very normal child with a lot of compassion. It's not a cultivated quality, he feels it from his heart. Once Father (Principal) told his class that there are some children in the school who can't have lunch at home since their parents start working from early in the morning till late at night, and it would be great if some students come forward to take one other student to his home for lunch.
Salman went up to the Father and told him that he would make arrangements for 12 children to come home for lunch every day.
And he did! He came home and told my wife to do the needful, and those 12 children started coming home every day for at least two years thereafter. Har din lunch pe hungama hota tha mere ghar par.
On several occasions, Salman has picked up accident victims from the road outside our building and taken them to the hospital. Why don't people talk about that?
How much does it affect you when his court case hearings draw near?
Salman went up to the Father and told him that he would make arrangements for 12 children to come home for lunch every day.
And he did! He came home and told my wife to do the needful, and those 12 children started coming home every day for at least two years thereafter. Har din lunch pe hungama hota tha mere ghar par.
On several occasions, Salman has picked up accident victims from the road outside our building and taken them to the hospital. Why don't people talk about that?
How much does it affect you when his court case hearings draw near?
I am Salman's father. Naturally, I am very stressed. When he spent 18 days in jail (2002), I felt guilty if I started the air conditioner. I felt guilty when I sat down to eat. When we went to meet him in jail, he told my wife that she shouldn't get me along when she visits again (pauses).
Please continue...
Please continue...
We have always respected the law. Why is his accident case referred as a hit-and-run case? He had not gone missing after the accident, he had given his statement and undergone the alcohol test after coming home. Earlier, he was charged with 'rash and negligent driving' but later slapped with 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder'. Friends, relatives and fans of Salman want to know why was 'culpable homicide not amounting to murder' slapped? And who got it done? Does anybody have any answers? Khuda na khasta if he is proved guilty, we will bear it, we will suffer. But why should anybody pronounce him guilty before the case has concluded? Else why have courts?
What do you think of Bajrangi Bhaijaan?
I haven't seen the film, so it would be unfair on my part to say anything at this point.
Do you get nervous when his film hits the theatres?
No, but I can tell him if his film will click or not.
A case in point where you told him that his film will fail?
After seeing Kyon Ki (2005, co-starring Kareena Kapoor Khan), I didn't go up to Salman and pat his back which I do when I think his film will do well. He came running upstairs to my flat (Salman stays on the Ground Floor in Galaxy, Papa Salim stays one floor above) and said: 'Dad, kya hua?' I turned around and said: 'Salman, I hated the film'. He argued with me that he was getting a plethora of praises from all others who were present at the trial show. I had to sit him down and explain that why would the people whom he invites and entertains would ever be frank and honest with him.
But today, we have box-office figures from Day One to call bluff a bluff...
Be it Rajesh Khanna or Salman Khan, stars are in denial mode if and when their films fail. They get calls from small cities who tell them that a new multiplex in their town had a full house because they were handing out free samosa and popcorn, but they don't understand that such stray shows don't decide a film's fate.
Don't you think it's time that Salman gets married?
Yes, but it is Salman who has to feel that from within, during his courtships, that he has found the girl who will adjust with him.
Hasn't he ever told you that?
No, not yet (smiles) But I tell you, he won't have an arranged marriage.
Aren't you tempted to make a film with him which you pen?
What do you think of Bajrangi Bhaijaan?
I haven't seen the film, so it would be unfair on my part to say anything at this point.
Do you get nervous when his film hits the theatres?
No, but I can tell him if his film will click or not.
A case in point where you told him that his film will fail?
After seeing Kyon Ki (2005, co-starring Kareena Kapoor Khan), I didn't go up to Salman and pat his back which I do when I think his film will do well. He came running upstairs to my flat (Salman stays on the Ground Floor in Galaxy, Papa Salim stays one floor above) and said: 'Dad, kya hua?' I turned around and said: 'Salman, I hated the film'. He argued with me that he was getting a plethora of praises from all others who were present at the trial show. I had to sit him down and explain that why would the people whom he invites and entertains would ever be frank and honest with him.
But today, we have box-office figures from Day One to call bluff a bluff...
Be it Rajesh Khanna or Salman Khan, stars are in denial mode if and when their films fail. They get calls from small cities who tell them that a new multiplex in their town had a full house because they were handing out free samosa and popcorn, but they don't understand that such stray shows don't decide a film's fate.
Don't you think it's time that Salman gets married?
Yes, but it is Salman who has to feel that from within, during his courtships, that he has found the girl who will adjust with him.
Hasn't he ever told you that?
No, not yet (smiles) But I tell you, he won't have an arranged marriage.
Aren't you tempted to make a film with him which you pen?
I have stopped writing completely. The accident case, the Jodhpur case (Blackbuck)... I realised that I won't give justice to my writings. Why should I cheat people by writing without passion?
Secondly, Salman will get the credit if it clicks and I will be blamed if it fails. Why should I venture into such a territory?
Over and above, Salman is so busy. Sohail and Arbaaz have to wait for at least two years before they get his dates.
Do you still look into his work in any way?
Secondly, Salman will get the credit if it clicks and I will be blamed if it fails. Why should I venture into such a territory?
Over and above, Salman is so busy. Sohail and Arbaaz have to wait for at least two years before they get his dates.
Do you still look into his work in any way?
No, not after Reshma Shetty took over as his business manager. She sorted him out and I am glad. There were occasions when filmmakers came home, touched my feet and took discounts. Nothing of that sort happens now.
Parting shot?
Parting shot?
Our family has seen so much success and failure that excitement and depression are two emotions we don't experience anymore. But tell me, does any family in Bollywood have as many successes under one roof as we have if you add up the laurels of Salim Khan and his sons?
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