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Salman Khan talks to City Times about his Eid release Race 3, heading back to the UAE and more

ONE OF THE biggest superstars of India, Salman Khan, completes 30 years in the film industry this year. Eid has unofficially been Salman Khan’s domain for his movie releases. His fans love to throng theatres to catch their favourite Khan film during the festive season. His stylised action thriller Race 3 releases in the UAE today. We had a lengthy conversation with Salman about Abu Dhabi, coming back to the UAE for his next film and his mentoring programme.

How was the experience of shooting Race 3 in Abu Dhabi?

For the last two years, I must have spent more than a year in Abu Dhabi. We shot and reshot Tiger Zinda Hai, then we shot Race 3 and I am coming back for Bharat very soon. The Abu Dhabi government always makes sure that we have an incredible time there. Their ‘jeeps’, blowing up cars in Liwa and Abu Dhabi – we had everything. We have blown up around 16 cars on the main roads. We got the Black Hawk helicopter. I don’t think we would have got these facilities anywhere else in the world. I am really grateful to the government for these facilities.

When are you coming back to Abu Dhabi to shoot for Bharat?

I should be there in two-three months. Bharat is a different kind of film and you will see a lot more of everything in the film.

Race 3 is coming out during Eid. Is it more special when your movie comes out during Eid?

Any festive season is the best time for a release because everyone is in a celebratory mood. Our idea of entertainment is generally going to movies with the family. Eid, Diwali, Christmas, Holi etc are the time when schools are closed and the family is in the mood to go out and spend time together.

You have completed 30 years in the industry. What do you think keeps the brand Salman Khan going?

Right from my first film, I have made sure I do movies that families can go and watch together. Sooraj Barjatya has made only family films with me. Most of the characters that I play on screen are very noble. Audiences find my characters entertaining and relatable. Fathers want their children to be like my characters, sisters want their brothers like that, wives want their husbands like that etc. These are the relatable qualities that I think people love seeing in our movies and hence they treat you as a family member. We actors are doing a lot of television shows as well, so we are reaching bedrooms and kitchens of our viewers, hence they consider us like family and probably that’s why I have sustained for so long. Even personally, what people see of me, they like it.

How does it feel to mentor so many people in the industry and to have the power to make so many careers and change lives?

I don’t think I have the power to change lives. I would recommend or hire someone only if the person suits the character or the role. That is how I work. I would never recommend anybody if that man or woman is not the best for the job. People give me credit for all this, but actually, they are making my career. I don’t think that if two of your films have not done well then you are not talented. I think you need to find the right film. I would rather work with somebody who has a fire than with someone who is disinterested in themselves.

I should be in Abu Dhabi in two-three months for the shooting of Bharat. It is a different kind of a film.” Salman Khan