By Manjusha Radhakrishnan, Senior Reporter www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: Bollywood actor Salman Khan on Wednesday hoped that his latest romantic comedy Ready will outshine the box-office-busting performance of blockbuster 3 Idiots, starring his friend and rival Aamir Khan.
“I hope it breaks the opening records of 3 Idiots,” said Khan to reporters prior to his red-carpet appearance at Dubai’s Grand Cineplex for the world premiere of Ready. In his trade-mark succinct style, he added that the Anees Bazmee-directed comedy, featuring south Indian actress Asin, was a wholesome entertainer.
“It’s a perfect situational comedy – a family comedy with no hint of vulgarity. There is no exposure – even though Anees tried his best to make Asin expose a bit,” said Khan, laughing at his own joke.
Ready is Khan’s first release after his blockbuster Dabangg and the trailers have showcased Khan with all his typical on-screen antics, from dancing with dozens of women writhing around him to single-handedly bashing up baddies.
“Ready has Salman Bhai is his mischievous self and everything that you expect from Salman is there in the film – emotions, music, songs – it has it all,” said Bazmee.
Though reporters tried to steer the press conference to serious topics such as Khan’s promise to pledge his wages to industry workers, he seemed deliberately vague.
“We haven’t decided. Yes, I want to give a small percentage of my income but I am trying to work out whether it should go straight to families or whether it should go to 22 worker associations in the industry. After I am clear on that front, I will decide,” said Khan.
But what got him talking – or rather swearing – was the issue of piracy.
“We wanted to have a trial screening of Ready for the cast and crew of Bodyguard, but we cancelled it because screening a film one week before its release may result in piracy. We couldn’t risk that,” said Khan.
After having acted in over 70 films and several blockbusters, including Hum Aapke Hai Kaun and Wanted, Khan is not willing to take any risks in his career either.
“I am done with my share of bad films and now I am focusing on making films that people enjoy,” said Khan, adding that he enjoyed the action genre the most.
Thousands of fans are expected to flock to the Grand Cineplex to watch their matinee idol walk the red carpet tonight.
