‘I DON’T HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE SURE EVERY FILM IS A HIT’

Superstar Salman Khan talks about the boxoffice success of his films; adds action is the most difficult genre

After films such as Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) and Tubelight (2017), Salman Khan is back with an action thriller –— Race 3 this Eid. He has had a fairly successful run at the box office as far as Eid releases are concerned, and Salman says that ‘he does not want to make people cry on Eid’. With two weeks to go for his next release, he talks about franchise films, coming back to action as a genre and why it’s important for actors to do films that give out a social message.

Your entry in Race 3 has made the franchise much bigger than what it used to be. Will the audience be able to understand the plot if they have not seen the earlier instalments?

Obviously, it is a much bigger film than both the earlier films were. This one is almost like a new film and it has everything that people of all generations would like to see. It has got a nice story line, lots of twists and turns, stylised action and incredible music. It is a different genre of film that we have made for today’s audiences. When you see the earlier films and when you see this, you will realise that this is a totally different film altogether.

In the recent past, you have chosen films in different genres but you have maintained your tryst with action. Would you say it is one genre you are most comfortable with?

Action is very difficult. It is the most challenging genre, but since my fans like that, I need to up my game in action all the time. There is only that much I can do, so we ensure that it is stylish and packed with emotions and all other elements that would make it a complete entertainer.

A lot of your films have released during Eid and have also worked well. Is there a conscious effort to release your films around this time each year?

I don’t think like that. There is Eid, Diwali, Christmas, and all the films that release around these times are what we call festive films. These are movies which people would come and enjoy and whistle and hoot to. This is the kind of genre one would release during the festive time. We released Tubelight during Eid and people went to see it. But then, along with hooting and whistling, they also started crying because the movie had scenes which made the audience emotional. On Eid, I don’t think you should make anyone cry.

Your film is up for release in two weeks. Are you nervous?

No, I don’t get nervous. After I sign a film, I give it my best and then after that I just leave it to God and to my fans. I don’t have the power to make sure every film is a hit. So, I just let it go and start work on the next one.

But how do you react to tags like ₹100 and ₹500crore hero that has been attached to your name because of your track record at the box office?

Which film has made ₹500 crore? Aamir Khan’s film and my film put together hasn’t made ₹500 crore. Only Baahubali (2017) has collected ₹500 crore. It’s just the way people talk. Fans and friends end up talking about figures but all this is usually imaginary and people talk about all this badha chadha ke .

After I sign a film, I give it my best and then after that I just leave it to God and to my fans.

SALMAN KHAN, ACTOR