I was going through a very lethargic phase in my life

I was going through a very lethargic phase in my life

Salman Khan was at his funniest best at the recently held press meet of his forthcoming film Wanted. Salman shared his experience of working in an action film and with director Prabhudheva.

From Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Partner and Yuvvraaj to Wanted... what motivated you to get back to action roles?
Salman Khan: I liked the script of this film and after a long time such kind of subject was developed. I wanted to do something more potential, apart from comedy and usual love story.

How different is your character from that of Vijay’s in Pokiri?
Salman Khan: Boney Kapoor showed me this film and thought I am watching it but actually I was not watching it. I was listening to it. I didn’t want to see how Vijay has played this character else I wouldn’t have given my best. There’s a lot of difference between my character and Vijay’s role. My character in Wanted has a lot of humour and action.

You are playing Radhey in Wanted. Can you tell us how different is this Radhey from the one in Tere Naam?
Salman Khan: Tere Naam’s Radhey was a college boy and this Radhey is a man. There he was beaten up by a lot of people but here he will take 15 seconds to kill such people. He is a contract killer.

Asin was part of the original so why is she not part of the Hindi remake?
Salman Khan: Because we wanted Ayesha Takia in the Hindi remake. Asin is working with me in London Dreams so we have balanced it.

How is Prabhudheva as a director?
Salman Khan: Prabhudheva is a perfectionist. He is a professional at the same time very down to earth. He re-shot few songs when he felt that the location, look or steps are not right. We have shot in beautiful locations in Bangkok and Greece. I have seen him dancing but never knew that he is such a superb director as well. I would like to work with him again.

Prabhu is an ace dancer, how difficult was it for you to match steps with him?
Salman Khan: I was apprehensive when I came to know that apart from directing he will be choreographing all the songs. Dancing on his steps was absolutely difficult. It was beyond my capacity. While shooting, I thought I am imitating him but after shooting when we used to check it on screen it used to be something else. It was hard to match up to him. He is the best dancer in the industry.

What about the action? You were apprehensive about it too.
Salman Khan: I was going through a very lethargic phase but this film helped me come out of it. I have worked really hard for this film. Never changed anything; followed my director’s orders. There are lots of fight and punches. I am more physically active in Wanted. My action master is the strictest task master. He made me do all the impossible action which I haven’t done before.

You have never been so involved in promotion of any of your previous films.
Salman Khan: I am promoting Wanted but there’s actually no need for promotion. I was in a dilemma regarding the promotion of some of my earlier films. I didn’t want to lie to my audience; I did not want to cheat them. They are smart enough to understand which film is good and which is not.

Trade reports indicate Wanted will break Ghajini’s box office records. Do you think you’ll give the biggest hit of the year?
Salman Khan: I feel there’s no comparison with Ghajini. It was a different film and this is a different film. Though Aamir had specific eight packs look for the film, the concentration was not on his look but on his acting. This film is on heroes. People will want to be Radhey Mohan after watching this film. Such will be the impact. If trade people are thinking like that then it’s great. Let’s keep our fingers cross.