22, June 1997

'I believe in guarding my privacy'

By Sithara Khan

The hours ticked by. There was no sign of them. The press was getting anxious. Would they come? Had they already left town? Speculation was rife. And then....., suddenly, they appeared! Walking side by side, their eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, Indian stars Salman Khan and Karisma Kapoor finally made it to the press conference, at the Lanka Oberoi last Sunday. Having performed before a packed audience at the Sugathadasa Stadium the previous night, the duo especially Khan had been beseiged by ardent female fans who were camped outside his hotel room.

In a grey T-shirt teamed with his trade-mark denim jeans, his bulging biceps clearly visible, Salman Khan definitely lives up to his reputation as one of the most good looking men in Bollywood. People's International magazine chose him as the 7th most Good Looking Man in the World. He was also the first Indian to be bestowed such honour. "I had to pay a tidy sum for that achievement" said Salman, his expressive brown eyes twinkling. Adopting a more serious tone, he continued, "In fact, that honour has not sunk in yet. Or else, my head would have really swelled up by now. But, honestly, even now, I look at other guys and think, 'hey, that guy is really good looking!"

The son of screen script writer Salim Khan and Salma, Salman began his career in the glamour industry as a model and then moved on to do a supporting role in the movie, 'Biwi ho tho aisi' before starring in the mega hit film 'Maine Piyar Kiya' in the early eighties. "I would rate my performance in 'Biwi ho tho aisi' as - 10 and in Maine pyar Kiya, an improved o," said Salman, who gave his recent release - 'Judwa' a healthy 4 points. Had he not entered films, what would he be doing now? "Probably be a clerk somewhere. I couldn't become a script writer like my father as I don't have the brains for that" he admitted.

Constantly in the centre of media attention, Salman was 'off press' for a long while. " I don't talk to yellow magazines and tabloids which thrive on writing about details of the flesh. Who are they to judge me or tell the world what I do with my private life with my girlfriend? Most of their articles are concocted and others are exaggerated. I stopped talking to such tabloids and magazines and I don't think I need their publicity, nor do my films. Positive publicity is healthy, but such trash can only damage people," he lashed out.

Commenting on his almost a decade old film career, Salman regrets his off- beat role in 'Khamoshi,' which recently aired on Swarnavahini."It won awards, but people didn't even bother to watch the movie. I have now decided to stick to mainstream cinema and formula roles that have worked for me" Salman explained. Describing his 'flop phase' Salman pointed out that most movie stars go through such periods, and admitted he did a lot of films with two heroes during that time. "But now, things are looking bright," he said with a genuine smile.

Having worked with his director - brother Sohail in 'Auzaar' a recent release, Salman describes the experience as being a good one. "The film was an action film, and Sohail is laid back and comfortably to work with besides being my brother!" he said, fiddling with his silver hoop earring, which he wore on his right ear.

What of his other brother Arbaaz who was also dabbling with acting? How does the 'hero' Salman view his brother's decision to accept anti-hero roles; one of which he also won an award for recently?

"If the character is a powerful one, that's all that should matter. Infact, though Arbaaz was the villain in 'Dharar' in the end he became the hero. He is now doing positive roles," he said. Would he portray a villain, or would his 'romantic hero' image stand in the way? "That depends on the strength of the character, but if there is too much violence then I would not do such a role.

There are children who watch these movies and they can be influenced. I avoid projecting a negative image as far kids go . But, yes in a way a villainous character would contradict my 'romantic hero image' but if the character is really good one, I would like to do it" stated Salman who also dabbles in singing and has released a collection of his movie hit numbers on CD.

Hailing from a close knit family with two brothers, Sohail and Arbaz and two sisters Alvira and Arpita and his niece Alizeh, Salman dismissed any professional rivalry between himself and his brother- in- law Atul Agnihotri who is also a 'romantic hero'. " Atul is family. Our competition, if there is any, is definitely healthy," stressed Salman, pushing his hair away from his foreheaed as he spoke.

A typical Capricorn, Salman who is 31, is generally described as being moody and unpredictable, but says he can also be very protective, very loving and at times childishly petulant; a few Capricorn traits. Yet the public loves him. Does this adoration or popularity scare him in any way? "Not at all. My fans are important, but I would like to guard my privacy too. I don't like to be disturbed when I am with my girlfriend, or family, sharing a quiet evening, " he emphasised.

Disclosing details of his impending marrige to girl friend Somy Ali also an actress whom he has been dating for a long time, Salman admitted he planned to marry soon. "The last time I almost married my previous girl friend, we broke off, and suddenly, she was in another relationship and married! I hope that doesn't happen this time!" laughed Salman referring to his much publicised affair with actress Sangeetha Bijlani who ended up marrying cricketer Mohamed Azharuddin. And would Salman's be a secret wedding? "It will be a private wedding with family and friends.

But I will not keep the marriage a secret for fear of upsetting my romantic hero image" he said. And kids? "I love kids and yes, I would like to have kids too.".

Travelling regularly to London and Singapore for shopping, Salman favours casual wear especially black and blue tight fitting jeans with T-shirts from designers such as Giorgio Armani and Gianni Versace. He lists London as one of his favourite places especially for the River Thames, Big Ben and the trams of the city that intrigue him. Where ever he is, without his daily work outs his day is incomplete, he adds.

What about the show in Colombo which was organised by E.A.P.Edirisinghe group, SwarnaMahal, Swarnavahini and ETV. Was it to his expectations? "The show was good and the audience enjoyed it ," said Salman who maintained an excellent rapport with the crowd throughout the show.

However, he did confess he had initial misgivings about coming to Sri Lanka, but says having come here, his views have now changed."This is a nice country" he said and added that he was indeed aware of his massive fan following here. " I knew about the large number of fans I had here' he said. Would he come again? "Yes,I will be back here" he said.

The blue eyed beauty

Living upto expectations is tough. Especially, if you hail from a legendary film family like the Kapoor clan. From Prithiviraj Kapoor, to Raj Kapoor his son, to 21 year old Karisma Kapoor', the dynasty continues.

'The only way to live upto it is by working hard, and proving your capabilities, which I have been doing so far,"the blue eyed beauty said at the press conference which followed the successful show sponsored by the E.A.P.Edirisinghe group, SwarnaMahal Jewellers,Swarnavahini and ETV, last week.

The eldest daughter of actor/director Randhir and actress Babitha Kapoor, Karisma made her entry into the film world with 'Prem Qaidi' at the young age of 17. While most of the Kapoor women opted to stay away from the world of glitz and glamour (with the exception of Sanjana Kapoor who is the anchor for Amul India show) Karisma stuck on and has completed over 30 films so far with two recent hits to boast of, 'Raja Hindustani' and 'Jeet'.

'Lolo'to her family and friends,Karisma sporting dark glasses and attired in a white blouse and pants was accompanied by her younger sister Karina and mother Babitha,even during the press conference. A good dancer and an evolving actress, she not only had to constantly fight off comparison to the other Kapoors, but with other heroines as well.The fact that she did not have a launch vehicle like most star children to make her entry into Bollywood easier has made Karisma's successes all the more meaningful."I could have had the RK banner produce a film for me, but I didn't choose to come into this industry this way," she stressed.

During her early days, she had more publicity on account of her constant 'fight'with fellow actress Kajol over Ajay Devgan, an action hero. She was also linked to singer Bryan Adams after a foreign trip abroad when the two met. Now, scandals have left Karisma alone. She is no longer in the news for the wrong reasons. Enjoying reading, swimming,watching old black and white movies and watching TV,she tries to relax when she can.

An introvert, Karisma said, 'I don't like to party or socialise.I'd rather stay home or be with friends. Partying does not interest me anymore." Choosing her roles more carefully after the success of the award winning Raja Hindustani, which is incidentally her favourite film so far,Karisma has no plans of marriage now. "There is time for such commitments," she said.

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