Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has realised that meeting an Indian political leader before the Indian elections comes with great responsibility — responsibility he can use for good. Khan understood the enormity of his clout when he met with the controversial Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi last week for a kite-flying ceremony in Ahmedabad. This unusual exercise has been scrutinised feverishly by the Indian press, his fans, politicians and divided the nation.
“It was a normal meeting. He went back to ruling the state and I went back to promoting my movie,” said Khan in an interview over the phone from Mumbai, ahead of his world premiere of Jai Ho in Dubai today.
Khan stopped short of openly endorsing Modi, Bharatiya Janata Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate; instead, he intends to kickstart a nationwide movement to compel people to help those around them instead of expecting change from elected leaders.
“Jai Ho would even make my fans belonging to a younger generation help their friends out or those in need around them,” said Khan.
The 48-year-old actor will tonight walk the red carpet at Meydan Imax, with his entourage of Bollywood newcomer Daisy Shah, actress Sana Khan and Sohail to unveil the film, which was partly shot at Dubai’s Wonderland Theme And Waterpark. Jai Ho — “victory” in Hindi — sees Khan play an altruistic army officer, Jai Agnihotri, who dreams of creating a society where the common man is king. The actor, who has been embroiled in a hit-and-run case for the last decade, believes that the power of an ordinary citizen should never be underestimated. His plea? Set your own moral code high.
The Modi appearance was just one of many events for the film that have seen Khan promoting at a frenetic pace across India.
“I am not tired, I was just talking to my father, so it’s fine,” said Khan on Monday night. It was past midnight when he relented for this interview, but the day seemed to have just begun for this actor.
This confirmed bachelor lives with his parents in a posh apartment in Bandra and is incredibly protective of his clan. His father, Salim Khan, is a noted scriptwriter and his brothers have all dabbled in film production, direction and acting. In the past, Khan — whose star power can command millions at the box-office — has supported his brothers’ ventures such as the Dabangg series with Arbaaz and Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya with Sohail.
Jai Ho, directed by Sohail, is no different.
Excerpts from the interview:
Q: What should we expect from Jai Ho?
A: I don’t say this often but you can expect a lot. If you have seen my last film, then expect a bit more from Jai Ho. From this film, you are just not going to take back my hairstyle or the way I dress. You are going to take back the spirit that runs through it. You are going to implement what you see in that film in your real life. I can give it to you in writing that Jai Ho would even make my fans belonging to [the] younger generation help their friends or those in need around them.
Q: You are rooting for the common man in the film. Don’t you think the common man’s might is exaggerated in Bollywood films?
A: The common man is very powerful but the problem is that we don’t believe in ourselves. In my eyes, every common man is uncommon.
Q: If you were the leader of a country, what changes would you bring to your nation?
A: Wow (laughs). Now, that’s a hypothetical question which I am afraid I won’t be able to answer at this point in my life. I have never dreamt of creating a perfect world. The maximum I would go is to make my charitable trust be recognised all over the world.
Q: You are often called a Bollywood hero with a golden heart. Do you pursue roles that amplify that image?
A: I choose those kinds of roles because I have always been a follower of heroism. I am an admirer of real-life heroes. I have look up to those who have done the correct thing at the right moment. My belief is that if I like heroes, there will be millions around me who like them too. If I were to watch a film today and enjoy it, be assured that it will have some heroic streak in it. Trust me, when they [his fans] come out of Jai Ho, they will come out wishing that they were a hero too. So every day when I come on set, I want to be that hero. I am driven by that thought.
Q: You may have a checked past, but your charitable deeds are well documented…
A: But I am not under any stress to be good in real life. I keep my personal life and my charitable trust separate. But I can say that my charitable trust Being Human — which has started running smoothly and sensibly now — has made me work harder than ever before. It’s for the common good.
Q: Recently, you surprised everybody by flying kites with India’s controversial political leader [Narendra Modi]. Tell us more about that.
A: Why would you say that? I had gone there to promote my film and I was a chief guest of that function. That was all there’s to it. You don’t live here, so let’s not get into it. It’s become a war between political parties and you wouldn’t want to be a part of this.
Q: Have you ever considered a career in politics?
A: I am not a politician, I am a social activist. I believe that social work is politics. Sadly, not many people feel that way.
Q: But if you were to join politics, you would win hands down …
A: Yes, I know that. And I also know that if I campaign for somebody then that person will win in the elections because my fans place a lot of trust and faith in me. That’s one of the reasons why I am careful about who I campaign for. So I will make sure that they are the correct candidate for their constituency who will adopt a humane approach to ruling.
Q: What was your experience of meeting Modi. Were you inspired?
A: It was a normal meeting. He went back to ruling his state and I went back to promoting my movie. He was cordial and was respectful towards the women in my family. He took care of them and ensured that they were well taken care of. That impressed me and I consider that a good thing. It’s our culture to be good and gracious. Therefore, I call him a good man. With all that’s happening in our country — with our women being abused and gang-raped, it’s important that we set our moral bar high. If we keep it high, then people will follow us.
Q: As an actor, do you feel strongly about any cause?
A: I will tell everyone to elevate their own standards of what’s right and wrong. Take a stand in life.
Q: How was it being directed by your brother Sohail Khan?
A: He’s amazing. He’s standing right next to me now and he’s just amazing. It was good and we will do it again soon.
Don’t miss it:
The Jai Ho premiere at Meydan Imax in Dubai on Wednesday is invite-only, However, Khan’s fans can catch a glimpse of him on the red carpet according to local organisers Aura Event Management and Creative Angels. They’ve told us the star is expected to arrive on the red carpet at 7.30pm. Watch out for our live tweets from the event @GulfNewsTabloid. Jai Ho releases in the UAE on Thursday.
