Last year you had Jaan-e-Mann clashing with Don and the latter had a headstart while Jaaneman nosedived? 
I think it's my fault. I have realized that when you are part of a project you have to promote it. The problem with Jaan-e-Mann was that nobody felt the urgency to see it.

This year you have had one of the biggest hits with Govinda in Partner.
Yes and I am working with him again in a sequel to Partner.

You're suddenly all lovey-dovey with the media is there an agenda?
(Looking away) I've always been a calm guy Yes, there have been times when I have been angry but I have never misbehaved with anyone, and certainly not with the elders. When my parents are around, I don't even sit cross-legged or lounge on a sofa. As a journalist, you can ask me everything, which you think is important. But when my personal life is linked with someone else's, sorry, I won't come up with quotable quotes. It's a no-win situation really. Just the other day, a guy from the media smashed my car's windows. If I'd jumped out of the car, there would have been an ugly scene. The cameraman would have filmed it and played it again and again on his channel. Tell me, what can I do in such situations?

Have you become majorly sharif?
Chal yaar pagal hai kya?

The trade says that you're an Rs 24 crore actor now. True?
What? Salman Khan is always Salman Khan.

Haven't you signed a multiple-film deal with Shree Ashtavinayak Films?
No, it's only a one-film deal.

Are the corporates a bane or boon for showbiz?
Arre yaar, money is more important than anything else. (Laughs) Give me money and I'll do a film.

Are you impressed with Shah Rukh Khan's six-packs?
(Laughs) It must have become four-packs by now! No no, Shah Rukh is a dear friend. He's worked extremely hard on his body. He's looking good and cool. Even Aamir (Khan) is getting muscular now.

Would you work with Aamir Khan in the future?
Why not? Boss, I'm all ready we freaked out in Andaz Apna Apna.

He has become a director with Taare Zameen Par. Would you ever get behind the camera?
No, direction is not for me.

Are you embarrassed by any of your movies?
Not at all. In fact, I'm proud of all my films. More than 10 years ago, I did Chandramukhi which didn't do well it was my idea to make a film like that. Koi Mil Gaya was somewhat similar and it became such a big hit. I guess Chandramukhi was way ahead of its time. I've always had the best in my life. I've lived a good life so far; I've never had financial problems. When I started off, my goal was to earn only Rs 10 lakh, sit back and enjoy it. That's it. (Laughs) I believe you get an interest of Rs 2,000 on that much amount sahi baat hai kya?

I'll check. Ever been without work?  
Yes. After Maine Pyar Kiya became a hit, I was jobless. I sat at home for six months. Mere abba ne phir kuch jhol kiya he got G P Sippy saab to announce a film with me. "Bas announce kar do thoda trade mein pakad ho jaayegi," my father told Sippy saab.

My friends have always stuck by me like Sooraj Barjatya. I still remember when Rajshri Films called me for Maine Pyar Kiya I had apprehensions. It was said that none of the new actors who work with Rajshri ever has a successful career. (Laughs) Also, I'd thought they'd make me wear a dhoti in a film about a village boy and a gaon ki gori.

Is the Amar Akbar Anthony remake happening?
Dude, I'm still thinking about that. I wouldn't mind remaking Deewar or Trishul. But Amar Akbar Anthony is one of my favourite films. I think it's impossible to replay Bachchan saab's role.

Are you playing a maharaja in Subhash Ghai's Yuvraj?
I don't know about that but Anil Kapoor and Zayed Khan think they're playing maharajas.

What went wrong with Jaan-e-mann and Kyun Ki?
I didn't promote Jaan-e-mann although I liked the film. I didn't move out of my house for its promotion. Now I've learnt from Shah Rukh how important it is to promote one's films. As for Kyun Ki, I loved it but I didn't like its ending. I requested the director (Priyardarshan) and producer to change the climax, but they said, "Sir, yeh picture to khaa jaayegi sab ko." Picture apne aapko khaa gayee.