Salman Khan is sometimes impatient, sometimes temperamental and sometimes impulsive. The best part about him is that no act is rehearsed or planned. Salman Khan is what he is – there are no illusions or secrets here. Bollywood’s most adored superstar speaks on things that make a difference to him.

You don’t take your stardom seriously. Why?
I don’t have any hang-ups at all. I like doing things my way. It’s when people take all these things seriously that they start becoming insecure. But believe me, everyone’s not like that.

You are a very successful star, which naturally comes with a certain discipline. But your ‘bratty’ image precedes you.
I haven’t struggled I haven’t worked hard. I have taken it lightly. But I have also gone and given it my best, which is about two or three or four per cent of my capabilities. I have just been fortunate. All the stuff that was written about me was no big deal. It was not like I was one of these terrorists who deserve to go through all that. And somewhere it’s now known that I was not the person responsible for all those things. So without me saying anything people understand that.

What surprises you the most about life?
People surprise me every single day. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

What gives you strength to continue?
My family. I believe in karma. Whenever I am able to make a difference in someone’s life, I feel thankful to God about being able to do my bit.

You’re always doing these kinds of things with people in need. Yet, most of it goes unreported…
I don’t want to make a big deal about it. If you have to do something, you have to do it selflessly. The whole purpose of your act is diminished if you’re looking for some returns. I don’t think I’m being philosophical; it’s just common sense. This is what I understand and this is what I do.

You’ve been having problems with certain actors.
I don’t have problems; they have problems. If I don’t see eye-to-eye with that person and if our thinking doesn’t match, I leave it. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t. It doesn’t matter to me. When something goes wrong between friends, of course it hurts and that’s the reason why you don’t get along.

Your next film will be ‘Dabanng’ and you’re working with a new director. Does that make you nervous?
‘Dabanng’ is being directed by Abhinav Kashyap and he really knows his job. The film is set in rural India and has a very grungy feel to it. It’s very real very basic and very hard-hitting. I haven’t done anything like this before. When I read the script, I knew I had to do this film.

Your fans may not want to see you as a corrupt cop in Dabangg.
He is the hero. If his salary is Rs 6,000 and he has a family of 15 to support, what will he do? You are bound to earn more money through other means. But if something kills your self-respect, then I don’t think you should do it. There is always a line yaar. I can go down to a level. But if you cross the level of your zameer (conscience), which a lot of people do, then it’s disgusting. To make money out of someone’s misery is the most disgusting thing ever. But if it doesn’t make much of a difference to you, then do it. Think of yourself as Robin Hood. He stole, but he stole from the rich and gave to the poor.

Everyone wants to know when you’re getting married.
That’s a very sweet thing, which shows a lot of concern. Everybody’s really worried about my future. And so am I. But I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next five seconds. So when the time comes, people would know about it. You can’t say till the time the cards are printed and the wedding outfits are ready. That’s how particular I am.

Are you a difficult boyfriend?
Yes, I’m a difficult boyfriend but now I am more patient in love.

You have never tried to experiment with different kind of cinema? Are you happy in your domain?
If you want to spread a message, your theatres have to be full. If you want to make money, your theatres have to be full. Why would you want to experiment? In my genre, I do a lot of experimentation. I have done a film called ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’; I have done films like ‘Partner’ or ‘Wanted’ or ‘Karan Arjun’, but within the entertainment format and the commercial format. Why would you want to depress people? They’re already depressed; upar se kyun unko aur depress karna.

How do you deal with depression and low moments?
I go down to the gate of my building and take a look at my watchman.

Any plans to write your autobiography?
I will not be able to write any lies. And I won’t be able to write the truth either. So, a book on me is out of the question.