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The macho Khan comes calling

"There is place for everybody in our film industry"

STAR POWER: Actor Salman Khan

He arrived late for his scheduled press conference but more than made up for the lost time with his humorous one-liners. Salman Khan, dressed nattily in a suit, dark goggles and sporting earrings, came calling in the Capital on Tuesday.

Taking out his goggles in typical Bollywood style, the flamboyant actor obliged each and every photographer and television cameraman around before giving the journalists a chance to throw queries at him.

Though there is tough competition in Bollywood among the stars, Salman had only kind words for fellow actor Shah Rukh Khan.

"I am better than Shah Rukh when it comes to commercial endorsements. Well, Shah Rukh doesn't mind what all I say because he is like a younger brother to me. But I am definitely better than cricketer Virender Sehwag as a brand ambassador. I hope I haven't said much," he said.

No monopoly

Asked if Bollywood had become a monopoly of the Khans, Salman disagreed. "Well, other actors like Hrithik Roshan and Akshay Kumar are dominating right now. Of course, among the newcomers Fardeen Khan is also right up there. So there is place for everybody in our film industry. It is no longer the monopoly of Khans."

When reminded that earlier stars like Yusuf Khan (Dilip Kumar), Amjad Khan and now Shah Rukh Khan and he have been shining on the Bollywood firmament for so many years, the actor said it was just "co-incidental". "Well, my surname is Khan. I don't know about others," he said tongue-in-cheek.

A painter too

Apart from films, Sallu Bhai, as his fans fondly call him, keeps himself busy painting. "I will organise an exhibition after completing 40 paintings. So far, I have done 26."

The actor revealed that the last time he was in Delhi he wore jeans he had himself painted.

Wedding bells?

Perhaps it will take some more time for the wedding bells to ring for the macho star.

"Without the Almighty's blessings nothing happens in this world. A number of people's consent has to be taken before D-day," he replied. -- Madhur Tankha

-- Madhur Tankha

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