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Here is a candid interview of Salman Khan and the man has developed quite  sense of humor, I must say!

Let’s start with JAAN-E-MANN. What went wrong with the film?
JAAN-E-MANN lost out on emotions. The moment people start noticing the technique more than the story or the emotional side to a film, you know it’s gone on a wrong track. Too much of technique doesn’t work.

Why didn’t you voice your opinion then? I am sure, knowing your background [son of an accomplished writer and also starting your career as an assistant director], people would tend to take your suggestions seriously.
I did express my opinion. But it’s up to the director to accept it or reject it. At times, people think I am an idiot [winks and smiles mischievously]. Seriously, I recall telling Priyan [Priyadarshan] at the start of KYON KI... itself that it’s not going to work. I knew all through. Priyan called me after the first show and said that I was correct.

I strongly feel JAAN-E-MANN is your finest performance to date.
Thank you. But I’d like to give the credit to the director. I do what I am asked to.

You’re being modest.
Trust me, I am not! I submitted completely to the character. I did exactly what Shirish [Kunder] asked me to. The reason why the character worked was because of the bonding between the father and his daughter. He loved his wife, yes, but when he learnt that she had delivered a baby, he was a different man completely. And the emotions came out beautifully on the screen.

Let’s talk about BAABUL. Do you relate to the story?
Of course! Otherwise, I wouldn’t be doing the film. Tell me, why do people force a man to remarry when his wife expires? And why do we have different set of rules when a woman loses her husband? Why do we want her to take on life single-handedly? Why can’t she have the freedom to remarry and lead a happy life all over again? That’s what BAABUL asks and that’s what attracted me to the film.

How’s your equation with Bachchan Sr.?
Great! We share a terrific rapport.

You’ve worked with him in the past in BAGHBAN and in BAABUL now.
Oh yes! In BAGHBAN, the relationship between the two of us was of a senior person and his adopted son. An element of respect was visible in every scene. In BAABUL, the two are buddies.

A section of the film industry feels [that includes me as well] that Salman can give a run for the money to the best in the business if he gets more aggressive vis-à-vis his career and patches up with the media. You agree?
Taran, you’re cornering me now [laughs aloud].

Okay, let me alter the question slightly. You didn’t promote JAAN-E-MANN as aggressively as SRK promoted DON.
I did promote the film, I did my best.

You liked DON?
I watched the film at the premiere. I was keen to watch it since my father had penned the original. Those who’d watched the original with Mr. Bachchan were keen to watch the new version with Shah Rukh. And the new generation was keen to see him play Don.

You haven’t answered my question yet.
It was different from the original. It was akin to a new film.

On a personal note, when are you getting married?
May be in the next 15/20/25 years [laughs again].

Anything you’d like to change in your life? Do you regret anything?
I’d never like to change anything. I am very, very proud of my life!

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