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The muscleman of Bollywood

THERE'S A new Salman Khan in town. A more at peace avatar of the bad boy of Bollywood. At 42, and with rumours of marriage fast threatening to erode his eligible bachelor image, he is still ruggedly handsome. Perhaps even more than before, despite...

(or is it because of) the silver earrings on both ears now. If anything, age has only given him a softer, more mellow look.

"I am fortunate," Salman said, shrugging off all praises about the way he looks. "I have done nothing in this regard. In fact, I have done things that have damaged the way I look and feel." Like the earrings? Salman gives his famous scowl, "Arre, I am a Pathan, and I have to look like one. My grandfather, father and uncles wear earrings. I had my ears pierced when I was baby."

He is truly back in the saddle these days, and in action doing art exhibitions, attending film premieres, going for parties. His Hollywood debut Marigold is ready for release, finally. "Hollywood movies function differently," he said irritably when questioned about the delay. "Aise nahin ki print bann rahe hai aur aap date set kar rahe ho. It takes about eight months of post production work, then another six-seven months to plan and work on the marketing strategy and all that. So by their standards, it's not a delay. That's the way they work." He is open to more Hollywood offers, provided they don't make him look like an idiot! "I have a certain sense of contentment today," he explained mysteriously.

And his new film with Govinda is releasing this Friday too. Salman's face lights up when he talks about the maverick actor-politician who is making a comeback to Bollywood with this film. "I never wanted to work with Govinda simply because he destroys you on screen. Look at the past comedies. Except for Sanjay Dutt, he has wiped out every actor he has worked with, including Amitji in Bade Miyaan, Chote Miyaan," Salman said. "But Govinda is a secure actor, by far the best we have, he excels in every department. To be on par with him, a co-star has to constantly work on himself, like I did."

If Govinda inspired Salman to go in for comedy, he is also inspired by the legendary macho star from the South, the evergreen Rajnikanth. Salman claims to be inspired by Rajnikanth's philantrophy. "I want to do what he is doing. Whatever he earns, he is giving back to the people," said Salman. Thus inspired, he intends to raise funds for his Salman Khan Foundation that goes to support a number of charitable causes through his own efforts because he dislikes depending on others for money. He talked about marriage. Or, rather, the rumours of him getting married on his birthday around Christmas, this year. "The day I get married, or decide to, I will let the world know," he said in exasperation. "Of course, I intend to get married , but it will happen only when it's destined to. And I will celebrate the occasion with my friends, family and well-wishers. I won't hide my marriage because I need people's blessings and good wishes always."