The man-child grows up

Salman Khan at 51 is far different than the Salman at 40, or even 45. He has mellowed down tremendously; he’s now subdued. Fate has forced him to iron out the rough edges in his personality. Quite the enfant terrible earlier, one would never know what he would say at the most inopportune moment.

In fact, even recently an incident stood out. Right before a television interview to promote one of his recent films, Salman had heckled and taunted a leading film critic, making objectionable remarks about the journalist. The entire episode is on camera, but even if Salman knows this, he wouldn’t care — he would do exactly what he wants. For Salman typifies what the distinguished Harivanshrai Bachchan wrote: Mann ka ho toh achcha, na ho toh zyada achcha. If Salman gets what he wants, good; if not, even better.

When the honourable judge announced his acquittal in the hit-and-run case, the actor showed no emotion — he was prepared either way. He’s in no mood to celebrate his 51st birthday in a bigger than usual way either even though his heart is lighter after the court verdict.

In that one way, Salman never changes. He’s been the same during his reign of superstardom as he was when he went through a lean patch of professional flops between 2004 and 2008. What has changed is the penchant for losing his cool at the drop of a hat, and for creating scenes without caring about whom he embarrasses.

This reporter has been at the receiving end of his aggression several years ago. Salman, along with Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Kareena Kapoor Khan were together, when the actor enjoyed his tipple all evening, creating quite the spectacle at a club, where we stopped. He insisted on accompanying me back to my hotel and even up to my room. When finally asked to leave, he pretended to exit, only to hide behind the door and return with a grin.

According to his then very close buddy, it was an attempt to ‘rattle’ those at the party.

But that was Salman back in the day. The sharp edges are all gone now, and he’s a lot more tolerant of those not on the same wave length as him.

At 51, with the world at his feet, his career at its zenith and his golden touch, is Salman happy? That is doubtful. While extremely lucky in his family life and career, the star has been singularly unfortunate in love, with every woman he loved and wanted to marry having other plans.

It would appear that Salman is a lonely man. He wants a wife and kids, but he isn’t sure if such a routine existence can be accommodated in his life. Salman loves children, but like many would testify, at 51, he’s too much of a child to take up the responsibility of fatherhood.