Candid interview by Khan.
By Dileep Thekkethil
When ‘Chak De India’ was released in 2007, only a few knew that it wasn’t a movie meant for Shah Rukh Khan but the first choice was rival Salman Khan, who rejected it as he was in an ‘entertainment’ mode in his career, not ready to take up any serious roles.
It was only several years later, after Shah Rukh Khan reaped the success and accomplished superstar status, plus rave reviews for the film, that the director of the movie Shimit Amin, opened up about who he cast first for the movie.
Now, 9 years down the line, it seems like Salman is ready to do serious roles and his most awaited Eid release ‘Sultan’ might just be the beginning of the actor’s foray into sport-themed movies.
In an interview with Firstpost, Salman said he rejected the challenging role of a hockey trainer in Chak De India, because his “image was totally different.” He also took a dig at Shah Rukh Khan saying “Besides, Shah Rukh should also get some good roles!”
Salman Khan also said that ‘Sultan’ produced by Yash Raj Film is going to be his first good sports film.
The macho actor who is often seen stripping his shirt for movies said he felt shy when he had to wear langot in several fight scenes of ‘Sultan’, which is based on a wrestler’s life.
During the launch of the movies trailer Salman said “I can now understand how difficult it is for actresses to wear swimsuits on screen!”
Salman also said that he used to measure the size of his short attires before wearing it, as too large or too small would look ugly on him.
“The proportion has to be correct,” Salman told Firstpost while describing why he was so particular about the costume.
Ali Abbas Zafar, the director of ‘Sultan’, was quoted during an interview saying that if Salman had not agreed to do the movie he would have dropped it altogether.
“I have heard this many times and all those films I refused have been made with someone else, for instance, Chak De. Had I refused Ek Tha Tiger, it would have gone to Shah Rukh or Aamir or Hrithik,” says Salman, who believes in his instincts rather than intuitions.
He also added that he accepts only scripts that he likes at first narration.
“Whatever I like in the first narration, I do it. If the first narration doesn’t excite me then I will never do the film, even if I am forced to hear it again,” said Salman to Firstpost. That doesn’t include horror films, or explicit content. “I am scared of the horror film genre! No horror, no sex films for me — not yet,” he says, unequivocally.
Salman is currently preparing for Kabir Khan’s upcoming movie ‘Tubelight’ which is set in 1950s. The shooting of the movie is scheduled to begin next month in Ladakh and will be next year’s Eid release.
The film, which will be Salman and Kabir’s third collaboration after Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi Bhaijaan, is likely to have a Chinese actress.
Sultan is facing stiff competition from Aamir Khan’s Dangal but Salman is confident that his maiden sports movie will hit the theaters with full swing.
“Aamir is scared?” counters Salman, laughing aloud. “Why will he be scared? Our films are very different and both of us knew we were doing these films. Actually Aamir’s movie is way better, his script is outstanding. Given a choice I would have done both.”
Earlier, there were reports that all three Khan movie will clash in the box office but fortunate for Salman and Aamir, Shah Rukh Khan’s underworld movie ‘Raees’ backed out from the competition. Now, the Rahul Dholakia-directed movie is scheduled for release in the beginning of 2017.