Salman skips premiere, parties at home
By: Ruchi Mehta
July 16, 2005

Sources said that Salman told his friends that since he could not get out of the house he would party at home.

So, after the premiere, trooping into the Khan house, were among others, David Dhawan, Sajid Nadiadwala, Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan, brother Arbaaz Khan and wife Malaika and girlfriend Katrina Kaif.

Screening of Salman Khan's movie stopped across India
Asian News International
Mumbai, July 16, 2005

Film censors and officials in the states of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab, have stopped the screening of Salman Khan starrer Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya following demonstrations by Bajrang Dal activists against his alleged links with the underworld.

Though no loss or damage to theatres was reported from any area, the screening of the first show of the movie featuring Khan was deferred in Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior after protests.

According to A.K.Soni, Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), Madhya Pradesh, cinema hall owners and distributors voluntarily withdrew the screening of the film fearing violence.

Though most of the tickets were booked in advance, the crowd turnout at the theatres was bleak, as activists shouted slogans, tore posters and burnt effigies of Khan in front of the cinema halls.


Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya
Security was beefed up in all cities in the state and senior officials were keeping a close watch over the situation.
Friday's protest followed the exposure in audio tapes of a conversation purpotedly between Khan and actress Aishwarya Rai in which he flaunted his links with the Mumbai underworld, Soni said.

In Indore, right-wing activists also forced cinema hall owners to stop the screening of the film.

Protests took place before five cinema halls namely Regal Talkies, Velocity, Kastur, Astha and Jyoti. Security was strengthened around the cinema halls as a precautionary measure, police added.

In Gujarat, a similar exercise was undertaken in several theatres and a multiplex in Ahmedabad and in Bharuch district, as VHP and Bajrang Dal activists protested Khan's alleged links with the underworld.

Uproarious scenes were witnessed outside the City Gold multiplex and Shalimar Talkies in Bharuch district, forcing the management to withdraw the screening of the movie. The management of two other multiplexes on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar highway also downed their shutters and removed posters of Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya.

Screening of the movie was stopped halfway in the multiplex Wide Angle after Bajrang Dal activists began protesting outside and prompting the management to reimburse those who had purchased tickets.

In Pune, agitating BJP Yuva Morcha activists forced many cinema halls in the city to cancel the showing of the film.

BJP's Yuva Morcha activists tore posters of the Hindi film at Vasant, City Pride and Rahul cinema halls, and held demonstrations against the actor for his alleged connections with the underworld.

When the agitators went to multiplex E-square, a large posse of policemen was already posted there to prevent them from disrupting the film.

'The Media Would Have Destroyed Me If..............'
Prema K. | Friday, July 15, 2005 13:20:33 IST


SALMAN KHAN makes no bones about the fact that his so called friendliness towards the media is for his films as also an opportunity for his fans to know the real him! Here he talks about his next release, 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya' and a bit about himself in his inimitable style!

Tell us about 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya'
'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya' is a very serious film with a comedy angle to it. It's a very different kind of film (a naughty glint in his eyes). Although it's a serious film, there is only one serious scene, that too for a wee bit, out of 70 scenes. The rest are all comic scenes. Most people lie about being not married when they actually are. This film is different. The hero lies that he's married when he isn't!

Almost a decade ago, you had 'Maine Pyar Kiya'!
But there's no connection between the two films. This is just a title but it fits the film.
What are you doing in the film?
I am playing a romantic doctor, an orthopedic surgeon.

People enjoy seeing you playing more carefree characters!
If I like a character and can visualize myself as the character and also know that I can do it, then I go ahead and do it. There are so many scripts that come to me where I can't imagine myself as those characters. I turn down those offers.
After watching 'Mujse Shaadi Karogi', did you wish that you had done Akshay's role?
No! Of course, I could have chosen that one. But If I'm offered two characters then I don't have a problem doing the slightly less meaty role if I like it better.

Coming back to 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya', what is Sohail doing in the film?
He is playing a struggling actor. Arbaaz is doing just one scene. You know we keep doing this for each other all the time (smiles). It's like sweet memories to be cherished. We want our kids and grandkids to watch these films later. We also want our fans to see our family bonding and the close relationship that Arbaaz, Sohail, and me share as brothers. Let's see, I'm trying to convince dad to do a film with us. Hopefully he will agree.

Sushmita Sen looks like she's doing another 'Main Hoon Na'!
After watching the film, you will find no similarity between her characters in both the films. We could only imagine her playing that character. Only she can pull off a character like that. David has chosen every actor in the film depending on the suitability of the character. Even Sohail is not doing the film because he's my brother.

Why do you only work with fixed banners?
The others haven't come to me with good scripts. I don't have my own banner. I'm trying to create one.

You've never worked with a Karan Johar or a Yash Chopra!
They've not worked with me! If they offer me something I know I can do it much better than anyone else. Everything originates from Sooraj Bharjatya films.

Why isn't Sooraj Bharjatya doing films with you any more?
He's not making those kinds of films any more.

Do you feel he's lost his special touch?
I don't think so. I think Sooraj, by far, is the best we have. Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sooraj Bharjatya, and David Dhawan belong to different genres of filmmaking but they are the best in their genres.

Do you still take a great interest in the music of your films?
I'm still very involved with the music of my films. If I've heard a nice song, I ask my music directors to use it if they like it. But I don't recommend or insist on anybody or anything to be taken. I just suggest!

People were raving about your big biceps at the recent IIFAA awards!
I haven't been working out of late. In fact, I haven't been doing weights since almost 6 months. I just started yesterday. But I've been doing a bit of cardio and playing a bit of every sport. I've been swimming a lot. Of course, I cycle to my shoots. It keeps away the boredom and also keeps me fit. Besides, it also keeps me rooted. One day if God decides to take away my BMWs then at least I know that I can cycle all my life (smiles). Driving is also very scary for me now. No matter who's driving I know the blame will be put on me if something happens. So I stay away from wheels.

Today you are said to be very receptive to the media!
I've always spoken to the media and been upfront with them. I've never been disrespectful to them. In fact they have been disrespectful to me. They've spoken to me and gone and written something else. At times when I've refused interviews they've gone and written whatever they wanted to. I never requested the media to write about me even when I started my career. I knew I was reasonably good at my job and that's how I've survived. If you throw me into a lake, I will not scream for help. I will come to the surface on my own and find out why I was thrown in. It could be jealousy, or an attempt to get even. It doesn't take much time for me to figure out that. Please don't get this impression that I'm trying to woo the media or I'm completely into the media now. I'm not even into myself since some time. I'm talking so that it helps my film. I also want my fans to know a few things about me the way it is. As it is you guys write whatever you'll want to. The media would have destroyed me if they could. One day God forbid, if I am down and out, I want to tell the media to pull me up and put me back. I want to see if they have the power to do so!

What's happening to 'Marigold'?
It's complete and releasing some time next year.

Which are your other releases?
Boney Kapoor's 'No Entry', Venus' 'Kyunki', and Sajid Nadiadwala's 'Jaaneman' opposite Preity Zinta. I've just signed Rumi Jaffrey's film opposite Priyanka Chopra.
What's happening to the title of 'Kyunki'? Wasn't it changed to 'Rahe Na Rahe'?
I think they haven't yet figured that one. Anyway, what's in a name? If my name had been Ramesh instead of Salman, I don't think it would have made any difference. It does for people who believe in numerology!
Who are these numerologists?
I think all this numerology stuff works only for scared people!
Finally, when are you getting married?
This question is just for the sake of asking me a question! You are regarded as an eligible bachelor! Not Salman! He is not up for sale in the market (smiles).

Get ready to laugh this week
By Subhash K Jha
Thursday, 14 July , 2005, 11:59

Get ready to laugh this week. Salman Khan sandwiched between the two lovelies Sushmita Sen and Katrina Kaif in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya...ha ha hee hee hoo hoo..
Bollywood never gives up. Just when you thought comedies are no longer the flavour of the year, a bunch of directors are ready to unleash a fury of farcical laughter.

While Priyadarshan has taken the Mujhse Shaadi Karogi hero Salman Khan and his Hulchal heroine Kareena into a serious arena in the ready-for-release yet untitled film, David Dhawan is content to bask in the burlesque of the Akshay Kumar-Salman-Priyanka Chopra triangular titter-giver.

Dhawan’s Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya (don’t miss the hiccupping homage to Sooraj Barjatya’s Maine Pyar Kiya in the title), which features Salman with his real-life gal Katrina Kaif and the sizzling Sushmita Sen, is as funny as it can get. By year end Dhawan will also be ready with Shaadi No.1 featuring a host of middling stars on a mirth yatra.

And while Govinda has relinquished the throne of Comedian No.1 (with his soppy melodrama Ssukh reversing his image from grin to grim with a patent lack of vim) Akshay Kumar has clearly discovered a penchant for parody that he’s currently exploiting in as many as three under-production films—Priyadarshan’s Garam Masala, Vikram Bhatt’s Deewane Huey Pagal and Neeraj Vora’s Phir Hera Pheri. Two of these are sequels to Akshay’s very successful comedies in the past.

The views expressed in the article are the author's and not of Sify.com.

She creates her own rules… then re-writes them.
La Sen is one of her kind.

Her sari in Main Hoon Na was breakfast table talk in most homes. And now her latkas in Laga Laga Laga… is putting most item queens out of job. When Sushmita does something, few can do it like her. The stunner teams up with best bud Salman in the bubblegum comedy this Friday to create some mazaa, masti and magic, Bollywood style!

Sush v/s Naina

“Naina is a funny character. She is a nurse, alive, energetic, all of that. But there is also a very soulful presence about her. This is never the case with comic characters that are present only from moment to moment. And I won't lie; there is a lot of Sushmita in the film. It's only when you put me in a film like Chingari that the character Basanti takes over Sushmita completely” Sush rubs some acting gyan.

Salman-Sush: Dhamaka duo

“Salman ke saath main kaam nahi karti!” she stuns us and in the same breath explains, “With Salman, it's never work! We have the best rollicking time ever!” the actor confesses. “Visit us on the sets someday and you'll find us laughing away between every shot. Here too, I had a blast working with Sallu. I genuinely think Salman is among the best we have. And I say that because the effort is there, but isn't seen. Salman is just as cool and casual, interested or disinterested as his script. He's my jaan and I love him to death!

Pyare Mohan is a definite hit!

Sohail Khan is in terrific form! It's his finest performance till date. The role itself is hilarious add to that the guy has done a wonderful job, it's to die for! When you watch him on screen, you'll not remember Salman, Katrina or me. All you'll remember is the Sohail and his tricks. The guy is too good for words!

Bakra kaun hain?

Leave me out and everyone else is a bakra in the film. Biwi No1.mein Salman hi beheka rahe the, yahan bhi wohi beheka rahe hain. The film has such a confused comic plot that you will laugh your guts out. The situations are mad, the people even madder. The music is crazy just like Salman and me. Galti woh karte hain, hasti main hoon! Trust me, you'll get your money's worth when you leave the theatre!” smiles Sush. Hope she isn't talking of a refund here!

Laga laga laga re…

That of course is my favorite song. When Sushmita Sen likes a song, you can see that on her face. Choreographer Ganesh Acharya, Salman and me had a blast doing that number. I am not really into the 1-2-3 kind of dances. I always believe that a song should be treated no different than a scene. The more natural and casual you keep it, the better. With Laga Laga…that was just the case. I had a blast and so will audiences when they watch the whole song in theatres.

No more saris please…

Don't come to theatres expecting a Main Hoon Na, you'll feel cheated.” warns Sush. “There is just this one song which has me in a sari. The film has me in long 'aunty-type' maxis. The look too is very casual and authentic to my profession, that of being a nurse. Besides, you liked me in saris, because there was a novelty about it then. So hang in there. Let me surprise you again!

His was the least expected entry into Bollywood. Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Krishna Cottage and Lakeer fell like ninepins but that's okay with Sohail Khan because Salman bhai declares, 'Mujhe Sohail ki filmein pasand hain'.

Having a blast with Bro' what was it to work with Salman?

It was great! I initially had a 10-day shoot with bhai. But when David saw our chemistry, he stretched the shoot to another 5 days. I even got a bonus song with bhai too. So it's been absolutely wonderful!

As a producer, would you have still picked Salman for the role?
Yes I would have because he is among the few stars who ensure you a recovery. He has huge star pull and can get audiences to theatres. Besides, he acts very well.

So did he help you out with production?

He is super busy with his shoots, there is hardly any time for him to invest in production. But I do feed him production updates whenever possible. He has an air-tight schedule which leaves him with very little time for anything else, I don't blame him.

What have the women been like?

Both Sushmita & Katrina have been terrific to work with. The same applies with Rajpal Yadav, Arshad, Beena aapa and Ishaa Koppikar.

“Pyare Mohan is an idiot!” - Sohail Khan
By IndiaFM News Bureau, July 12th, 2005 - 1400 hrs IST

His was the least expected entry into Bollywood. Maine Dil Tujhko Diya, Krishna Cottage and Lakeer fell like ninepins but that's okay with Sohail Khan because Salman bhai declares, 'Mujhe Sohail ki filmein pasand hain'.

The actor with a cool head and 'chilled-out' ways talks to IndiaFM about his comic gamble as Katrina's lovable neighbor in David Dhawan's golmaal, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya.

.Salman & David Dhawan- hit Jodi. But what's Sohail doing in here?
Sirji, how did you land this role?

Nothing to worry, I feel more of a producer connect rather than an actor connect with Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. David's comedy is very strong; I wanted to make that comedy look larger-than-life. Sone par suhaga karne ki koshish thi, that's how I became a producer.

Secondly, I am about to direct a romantic comedy myself, so working on a David Dhawan film is the best tutorials I can ask for. I never even intended to act in the film, but David Dhawan coaxed me into doing it.

What did David say?

Well, when we drew the first draft of the film, there was this character of Pyare Mohan that had evolved and while we were thinking as to who would be the ideal cast, David off-the-whack asked, 'Sohail, tu kyun nahi kar leta?'. I was initially apprehensive about it but then did it for the reasons I just told you.

Besides it saves monies too, huh?

(Laughs) Yes!

Pyare Mohan ki mazedaar baatein
So what's Pyare Mohan like?

He is a struggling actor from a small town. He is a complete idiot & happens to be Katrina's possessive neighbor who Salman has fallen for. The problem arises because Pyare constantly feels that this guy is a fraud and is cheating on Katrina. It is a mad-mad film. The most confused comedy you could have ever seen.

Do you relate to your character?

Not at all, I am the exact opposite of Pyare. While he mad, loud and garish, I am an introvert. I like to keep to myself and rarely open up. I am soft-spoken & sober, very unlike Pyare.

And what according to you makes Pyare's character funny?

Pyare is a funny character by nature. But I had to be careful that I hit the right balance. Onscreen humor is quite like telling a joke to someone in real life. You shouldn't be so subtle that the person doesn't understand it, neither so loud that you end up hamming. I have tried to portray Pyare like that. Let's see if audiences agree with me.

Flick Box - Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya Preview (video)

Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya - When Garv can take an opening, then why can't MPKK. That's the basic logic that proves that Salman Khan movies always take an initial regardless of the theme, lead heroine or an overall setup. And when the director at the helm is David Dhawan who gave Salman his last big success in 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi', then things should only hot up from here. With Sushmita Sen, Sohail Khan, Katrina Kaif, Arshad Warsi and Rajpal Yadav in the cast, hit music, rib tickling comic promos, positive reports and the main factor - SOLO RELEASE of the week, MPKK should take an excellent opening at the box office. One gets the vibes that it should be another laugh riot by Dhawan and if the audience reaction to the theatrical promos is an indication to go by, MPKK should continue the season of HITS for the entire month of July.

When Sushmita Sen and Salman Khan get together on big screen for comedy, rest assured of unadulterated entertainment.

In Sush’s own words, she and Salman can’t be serious when they work together in a film. The two share a very similar sense of humor, first seen in Biwi No. 1 . That’s the reason why Sush believes that the chemistry between them is best exploited in a comedy movie.

“We have good chemistry, which is best exploited in comedy. I always joke with Salman that if he has to tell me ‘I love you’ in a serious film, we’ll both end up laughing. We just can’t be serious,” an entertainment site quotes Sush as saying.

Sush’s incredible chemistry with Salman would next be seen in David Dhawan’s Maine Pyar Kyon Kiya , in which she plays a sexy nurse.

Sush says she had a “blast” while shooting for the movie with Salman. She is particularly gung-ho about her song “Laga Laga” in the film.

“I haven’t had more fun doing a song than in ‘Laga Laga’. Salman was at his coolest best and I just went all out,” she is quoted as saying.

Maine Pyar Kyon Kiya will release on the coming Friday. The movie stars Salman as a doctor, Sush as his nurse and Katrina Kaif as his patient. Sohail Khan plays the ‘other man’ who also wants to woo Katrina.

The movie promises a laugh riot.

When asked if he would say the same thing to a woman whom he had proposed to 15 years ago, he laughs. "Fifteen years is too long, buddy! I will say it in six months!" After a pause, he adds: "No, make it three months."

The star spoke to Chief Correspondent Syed Firdaus Ashraf about Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, and much more. Excerpts:

David Dhawan has the knack of making people laugh, thanks to senseless dialogues.

David is a very impatient guy. He will say what he has to say over the phone. He will not listen to you. But when you are on the sets, he will give you enough space to improvise. Most of his work is done on location. He is very open to ideas. Since he was a film editor before turning director, he knows how to cut bad scenes.

My comedy films with David have done well. I don't know whether there is a fear of repeating yourself and boring audiences. I don't know if this 'repetitive comedy theory' holds true for the Govinda-David Dhawan pair. But I can say that Govinda is the best actor in our industry. Shah Rukh Khan may feel jealous (smiles) but I think Govinda is a phenomenal and spontaneous actor.

Unfortunately, Govinda and I never got a chance to work with each other except for a brief appearance in Deewana Mastana. We had signed a film, Raju Rajaram, but it never took off.

Among my films, my favourite comedy is Rajkumar Santoshi's Andaz Apna Apna (1994). The screenplay was phenomenonal. I really liked my one liner: 'Oui Ma!'

The most hilarious scene is when I laugh at Aamir Khan while he tries to propose to Raveena Tandon in the restaurant. Aamir thinks I am drunk but I am laughing because I realise Raveena isn't a millionaire. Karisma, who is in love with me, is the rich girl.

One never knows what kind of films click at the box office. I thought Hello Brother was a very sweet comedy film but it did not work. When people see that film on television today, they love it -- especially when they see me turn into an angel.

Hits and flops are not in our hands. I was told that (Ramesh Sippy's Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor starrer) Shaan didn't click when it was released in 1980s. But people loved it when it was re-released recently.

Even in Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, I never thought the song, Just Chill would work so well with the masses. Instead, I thought the other songs would click.

In MPKK, I play a doctor. I don't want to get married and so I always tell women I am married. I am single and fall in love very often.

The trouble comes when I fall in love with a woman and finally want to marry her. She tells me to divorce my wife, who does not exist.

I begin my affair with a lie and have to lie repeatedly to protect the truth. It is not like my earlier film, Biwi No. 1 where I lie to be with a woman. Here, I constantly lie.

Sohail Khan plays an interesting character. He always makes my life miserable. I had worked with him in Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya and Hello Brother, where he directed me.

He plays a struggling actor here. Whenever I am romantically involved with a woman, he spoils my mood.

When I look back at Maine Pyaar Kiya, I feel like laughing at my character in the film. I feel that if I could make it big, anyone can.

I still remember it took me 11 days to get a step right in the title song. Bhagyashree was teaching me.

At that time, I was seeing Sangeeta Bijlani. When she came to the sets, she laughed and laughed. I just could not do that step.

People told me that I replaced Aamir (as the top actor in the industry). But I never look at it that way. He was in his direction and I was in mine. It holds true for Shah Rukh also. I am not in number games. I am running on my own track.

I am doing an English film called Marigold. It is a very funny film. It is a David Dhawan film with more class and subtlety. I hope audiences worldwide will relate to it.
Rediff.com

Mumbai, July 8: Sushmita Sen plays a sexy nurse to Salman Khan’s dentist avatar in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya. And she wants you to watch out for her thumkas.

Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya is your hat-trick with David Dhawan. What’s special about this one?

I kept joking with David that with this film, I’ve come full circle. You know, from playing the other woman in Biwi No.1 to playing the wife here. The film’s shaped up really well. I feel David’s shooting technique has become glossier after Mujhse Shaadi Karogi.

What’s with the thumkas in the dance numbers?

I’m so glad someone finally asked me about this. I haven’t had more fun doing a song than in Laga Laga. I had a blast in every single shot. Salman was at his coolest best and I just went all out. I always tell my choreographers, give me a movement with a sense of abandon and just watch me do it. I’m not your regular 1-2-3-4 steps kind of a dancer, I like to sway.

What’s the best deal about starring in a comedy?

The fact that the audience is yet to see that aspect of me. You see, I’m quite a joker in real life. Comedy is as easy or difficult as any other genre. But a sense of humour is a big help. And like in everything else, you have good days and bad days. I pray that when I do a comic scene, my sense of humour is having a good day.

Salman and you share a good chemistry.

Oh yeah, It’s always a delight to work with him. The reason our last film Tumko Naa Bhool Payenge didn’t do well was because Salman and I weren’t paired together. We have good chemistry, which is best exploited in comedy. I always joke with Salman that if he has to tell me ‘I love you’ in a serious film, we’ll both end up laughing. We just can’t be serious. He’s such a spontaneous actor and a great friend; I’ll always have a soft corner for him.

Your three favourite comedy films.

Notting Hill because it has my kind of humour, which is more situational than slapstick. Meet The Fockers because it’s just so damn funny. And There’s Something About Mary since I’m dying to be chased by four men in one film. Can you imagine what that would be like?