Salman Khan talks success, relationships, and babies...
Jitesh Pillaai (TIMES LIFE; September 23, 2017)

You Khans have lasted for more than 30 years. What would you attribute that to?
Today, there's so much awareness ­ physical awareness, mental awareness. There are people to guide you. You keep on reinventing yourself. You keep on increasing your level from your previous film. You have personal trainers and dieticians. Earlier, you ate parathas and you did baithaks (sit-ups). So, no matter what the actors did, they could not get to this level (of fitness). This is the advantage we have over our seniors; they didn't have the right people around them. Akki (Akshay Kumar) and I have learnt it the hard way. When I was new, Jackie (Shroff) and Sanju (Sanjay Dutt) were much bigger stars than we could ever imagine. So was Sunny (Deol). Each time I felt my films were not working, I piggybacked on Sunny and Sanju. That's how Jeet and Saajan happened.

You've stood by a lot of people...
Yeah like Zareen Khan ­ - you guys killed her by calling her Katrina Kaif.

What's the equation like between your brothers Sohail and Arbaaz (Khan) and you?
(Chuckles) We are all of the same age. Now, between dad (Salim Khan) and us, there's hardly a difference of a year and a half.

Salim saab's sense of humour is fabulous...
Yeah it is. Most of the time, it's directed at us.

If you had to rewrite your life... what would you want to change?
When you come to this planet, you're given a package. That package holds the good and the bad. And when you start flying there has to be something to hold you back, ki bhai zyada maat udo. This anchor God has been put to remind me 'don't think you are...' The bad things that happen are like the anchors that ground you. It's the way you take it. Most of the heroes believe they have become larger-than-life in real life. But that's not so. That's the silver screen. Celluloid ki image.

Has it ever happened with you?
(Laughs) No, no... I have enough people to ground me.

Who grounds you the most?
My father when we were growing up. But when you grow up, you understand yourself better too ­ kahan galat jaa rahe ho, kahan sahi jaa rahe ho.

How do you view relationships today? Do you deal with things differently?
(Smiles) I used to deal with relationships then, I don't deal with it now.

Was there more drama earlier?
(Grins) Yeah. I was like what is this drama man? For what? I never spoke about any of my relationships but they all spoke about me. So there was one side that was coming out, which I didn't mind. Because if I had said anything, it would amount to disrespecting the person with whom I had spent an 'x' amount of time, and had a great time too. I just kept quiet about everything. Today, most of them are still in touch with me, we're still friends. It's like the best relationship now.

You're saying you are single right now?
Uh? No I'm not saying anything. I am what I am. Only I need to know what I am. Yeh single hone aur double hone se aapka toh kuch fayda hai nahi.

A lot of celebrities are having kids through surrogacy. If you don't get married...
If I don't get married that would be in consideration.

Do you fear time is running out?
No, not yet. (Laughs) But I'm sure when I'm 70 and my child is about 20, then I'd feel it. The only reason I'd want to have a child right now or in the near future, say in two to three years, is because I'd want mom (Salma Khan) and dad to see my child. They will be here for the longest time. Insha Allah! They're both healthy. Touchwood! We kids will have to worry about ourselves if we reach that age.