And, an Eid Mubarak to Salman Khan. He’s got a new film releasing today. That’s his annual Eid gift to his fans. A promise he makes to them and then fulfills. This one is called ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’. It’s a romantic action drama. The kind his fans love. The name is Droll. It is at once humorous, whimsical, and odd. But bang on the money. Salman is affectionately and respectfully known as ‘Bhaijaan’ in Bollywood. Perhaps for want of a better title, he split this sobriquet and named his new release after himself. He is like that. Does what his heart dictates.


On Tuesday, he was giving group interviews to the media. Some 35 journos of the print, broadcast, and digital media in each group. In three sessions, going late into the night. And he was taking their questions and dancing circles around them. He’s a past master at that. Avoiding tricky questions. Dodging controversies. Getting away with witty and wicked rejoinders. Having fun. I did not join in. Salman and I go back a long way. If I have to talk to him, it is just the two of us. Over coffee on his film set. Or a drink at his house. When he speaks his heart out.

But I went to meet Salman after his media circus and wish him good luck with ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’. Even though critics were already bashing the film and declaring it his worst. I didn’t care. I am not a critic and I am also not a Salman fan. I am his friend. And the thing about friends is that you accept them as they are. Warts and all. I walked past his bulletproof car and the armed bodyguards standing around him protectively in a horseshoe formation. He hugged me tight and held me close. We spoke briefly. About fitness and working out. About life and growing old. But not about his film.

Read More:- Meeting the Bhai and the Jaan-storyofsouls