I Forbade Salman To Do A Promotional Song For Dolly...

Arbaaz Khan gets candid about Sonakshi Sinha, Sonam Kapoor, Malaika Arora, Shah Rukh Khan, and of course, Salman.

Your third film as a producer, Dolly Ki Doli, is round the corner. Confident of this one?
Yeah. The promos have been received well.



Why didn't you continue with your Dabangg franchise instead?
Dabangg 3 needs a lot of work. Besides, Salman is not free for the next 18 months.

Unlike in your previous productions, we won't see you in Dolly...
I was the last choice for the cameo which Saif Ali Khan has done in the film. I wasn’t ready for it. I wanted Saif. I don't do roles for just the heck of it. I didn't do Dabangg/ Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya/Garv/Hello Brother for Salman (Khan). I am irreplaceable in these films with him.

Dabangg reminds of Abhinav Kashyap (who did not direct Dabangg 2). Will you work with him again?
I wouldn't mind if he directs Dabangg 3. And I'll back any other film he directs provided I like the script. We had some creative differences but I havent shut my doors on him. Weve been in touch but not on backslapping terms. If we want to move ahead, we need to resolve our differences. Mind you, efforts will have to be made from both ends.  

Dabangg's heroine Sonakshi Sinha was the first choice to play Dolly...
We did consider her but then we thought Sonam (Kapoor) was apt for it.



Did your familial differences with Sonakshi edge her out?
No, Sonakshi is family to us and will remain so.

Why are you doing a cameo in Abbas-Mustans Kisko Pyaar Karoon?
How could I refuse them? They are the reason Im here. They were the first to cast me in a film (1989, Daraar). I would even do a passing shot for them. The only thing is, they took 20 years to come back to me.

Let's talk about your career so far...
If Daraar had released today, it would have propelled me into the superstar space. But the industry was different then. We were made to test the waters. Today, filmmakers want to sign a new promising face before he/she gets too busy. I have had my share of good and bad films. But after 12 years, I didnt see my career going the way I wanted. I felt frustrated. I decided to produce films. The gamble paid off. 

Can you talk about Salman's cases?  
I wouldnt comment on that because the matter is subjudice. The court will decide what has to be done. But hes done his paschaataap (repentance). He has never repeated his mistakes. He has done good for the society and that should be appreciated. So many times, we all do things that go unreported and we dont get punished for it. Its not like he and Sanjay (Dutt) are the only dark sheep while the rest of us are all white. Everyone is grey in some way or the other.

How come theres no Salman in Dolly...?
It wouldn't have done good to anybody. He has done two films with me (Dabangg, Dabangg 2). Now I am trying something on my own.  If it works, hed be so proud of me. And if I fail, hell be there to hold me. I dont want to misuse the fact that my brother is a superstar by putting him in any role. He had signed Sooraj Barjatyas film with Sonam (Prem Ratan Dhan Payo) before I started on Dolly.... The freshness of a new pairing would have fizzled out if I'd cast him in Dolly.... I wouldnt have liked it if another filmmaker stole my fresh casting. Salman in fact wanted to do a promotional song for Dolly..., but I declined.

Why do you always cast your wife (Malaika Arora) for the special song-n-dance numbers?
I dont cast Malaika because we share a certain comfort zone. Shes every filmmakers first choice for a special song-n-dance number and I am no different. Shes attractive, sexy and hot. Importantly, she is a very good dancer.  I dont force her into it. She has to be comfortable with the song including the lyrics. 

Her sensuality attracts all kinds of people. Dont you get possessive?
Yes, I do. I know she gets all kinds of attention. But I take it in the right spirit. 

But do you want to portray her in only oomph-laden avtars in your films?
She is not singing a ghazal. But I would never cross the line of decency with Malaika. And I wouldnt like it if someone else did it either. So, she can look sensual but not vulgar.

Why dont you make her act?
She is not inclined towards acting. She has never shown that interest. And I wouldnt risk casting her in an acting role. Shes a great dancer but an average actress. I dont have to make a film with my wife because shes hot and glamorous. I would rather use her strengths for the film.

What do you plan to make next?
It will be a love story which is different from the the likes of those which come from the greater storytellers in our fraternity, Karan Johar and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, to name a few. I am inspired by Silver Linings Playbook. I dont know if I want to adapt it but that kind of a love story excites me as a filmmaker. I want to direct something like that. It will be commercial but realistic. My mindset is not restricted to Dabangg.

Why dont you ever get your father (Salim Khan) to write a film for your banner or Salman?
He is more sensible, connected and intelligent than the whole family put together- but has played his innings. His life revolves around yoga, farming and grandchildren. He'll dish out a classic if we push him. But it won't be fair to ask him to take a year out of his life and give it to one film. Hes a great sounding board. I want a life like his when I am his age. I dont want to die with my boots on. I want to chill when I am old.

Your brother-in-law Aayush Sharma (Arpita's husband, businessman) wants to become an actor. Are you planning his debut?
He is keen, but we are not engineering it. Acting is his hobby not his bread and butter. He has given himself time. He is on his own. He has sound finances. He will go back to his old life if acting doesnt work out. And he only wants advice from us, nothing more. If we find something worthwhile for him to act in, well pass it to him.

Following the Salman-Shah Rukh patch-up, is a film with SRK on the anvil?
The doors were never shut for us to work together. Salman never let his differences with SRK ruin our relations with him. Our wives and kids have always mingled. Salman is like our father. If he wanted to, he could have stopped all of us from maintaining ties with SRK- but he never did. My father too, despite his differences with Javed Akhtar, never tried to ruin our friendship with Farhan and Zoya.

Salman had said that Sohail, you and he will do a film together this year. Also, Vikas Bahl (director of Queen) is bringing youll together for his TV show...
It hasnt been discussed with me. I dont know about this show. Sohail and Vikas have spoken to the media, not me. I dont know if I'll participate. As for a film starring the three of us, I dont know when well work together. David Dhawan had once conceptualised a film with us (Read: Remake of Amar Akbar Anthony) but the idea fizzled out. And I dont know if that will suit us now. We have aged quite a bit since then.