SRK,SALMAN n AAMIR...FRIENDS?

The Khan triumvirate has ruled the roost for nearly two decades. How do you see the other two khans?

Salman is an extremely charming personality. He’s extremely good looking, he’s a good dancer, a great star. People love him. Personally, I have a lot of issues with certain things, as far as he’s concerned.

Like?

I have no intentions of discussing them publicly. He’s a friend of mine and I can discuss them with him personally…as I have.

Shah Rukh is a great star as well. He’s got a lot of energy, he has great presence and he has a strong survival instinct. And he’s very loved by the people. Both are dear friends and we get along very well.

How competitive are you vis-à-vis Salman and Shah Rukh?

I am extremely fond of both of them. So in my personal interaction with them there’s no such feeling. When I meet them-which is every now and them – there are absolutely no negative feelings. On a professional level, yes, I do feel competitive towards them and I’m sure it’s the same with them as well.

Competitive in terms of roles you do?

No, I would never envy any role that either of them has performed. So there’s no competition in terms of trying to grab roles. And we all have our own ways of working, so there’s no competition there, too. But we are certainly to be the most loved star on the Indian screen, we are competing to be the best actor and the biggest stars.

In our last issue, Sha Rukh said you are one of the best actors in the country. What do you have to say to that?

(Laughs loudly) I always suspected Shah Rukh Khan knows very little about acting. Now I’m sure.

He also says the difference between him and you is that you think too much while he thinks too little.

(chuckles) It’s never the quantity but always the quality that counts.

How do you react when Shah Rukh is called Badshah Khan?

I completely agree. He’s the Badshah and I’m the Ikka, who bhi hokum ka. He’s King Khan and I’m Ace Khan.

When asked for your opinion, you recently said you would have played Devdas differently. Earlier, you’ve spoken about his portrayal in Darr. Do you think there’s a chance he may not take such statements in the right spirit?

No I think you are referring to the Walk The Talk programme, in which I was just trying to be analytical. It’s not a personal statement. And I did not make it unprovoked. I was asked specifically about my work, what I thought about a particular film and how I would have played it. Each creative person has his own way of doing things. Each director has his own way of making you perform.

I think Shah Rukh is an immensely talented actor. No doubt about it. I’ve seen a number of his films, which I’ve liked very much. Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge was a great performance. And he was outstanding in Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa
I’m extremely fond of Shah Rukh and I think he’s a wonderful actor. I think he has wonderful qualities that I don’t.

Like what?

(smiles) I think he’s extremely charming.

And you think you are not?

I don’t think I’m as charming as he is.

The Khan triumvirate is soon going to hit its 40’s. Who do you think are the actors who could take over from you guys?

Abhi tak to koi paida nahin hua hai.(laughs). Relax, I’m just kidding. I think Hrithik Roshan is very talented.

Do you have a 4 o’ clock friend?

What’s a 4 o’ clock friend?

Someone you can call up at 4 in the morning.

I suppose I could. Infact, last week Shah Rukh and Salman actually called me up at four o clock. They were both at Salman’s house and they wanted me to come over. So I went. And we chatted till seven in the morning.