Arbaaz Khan, who has done many films as an actor, has found himself satisfied by becoming a producer-director. Arbaaz, who has recently hosted his chat show, is in the news these days for his new film ‘Banda Singh Chaudhary’. Here he not only talks about his films, ups and downs of life, wife Shura and Salman Khan‘s threat.
You cast Arshad Warsi instead of yourself in your new film, weren’t you tempted by the lead role?
-When I produce a film, I have so many things to do that if I start playing the lead role in it, I may get diverted from the important tasks of production. Now I cast myself in Dabangg 2 because I felt that there could be no better casting than me and at that time I was able to concentrate. After that I also made Dolly Ki Doli, in that too I could have cast myself in a character, but I felt that all the artists like Rajkumar Rao, Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma, Zeeshan Ayub were perfect for the role.
I am a creative producer. When I also made Patna Shukla, I could have chosen myself, but I didn’t. This film came to me late, by then it had progressed a lot. There was not much possibility of casting myself in this film. I don’t believe in forcing myself into my films. I believe that I can bring added value to a film. Can be an asset. Over the years, I have improved so much as an actor, but I still have time to reach the point where people will come to watch films just because of me and I don’t want to take that chance. But as a filmmaker I can take that chance.
What was the most challenging task of your career?
-Dabangg 2 was very challenging for me. One had become Dabang Van. After that I was making a sequel and when you make a sequel, comparisons start. Secondly, I was directing for the first time, so it was also that his first film did well, so now he wants to become a director himself. Actually, the circumstances were different at that time, that I thought of directing my second film. But the pressure remains. I had gone through a very difficult period. But there were a lot of expectations on me, but the amazing thing was that we matched them in the songs. Matched in success. The film proved to be a big hit.
Talking about expectations, did the sword of expectations always hang over you because of brother Salman Khan? How do you deal with that?
-To be honest, after a while I had stopped thinking about that topic. When you enter this profession, there will be comparisons and expectations. You have to make your own place. I believe that to some extent I have made my place. I admit that I have not got the commercial success that Salman has got, but I think at least today I am getting work. There are many contemporary actors of mine, who do not have any work, no one asks them.
But even today I get offers for films. I have adopted two-three more streams in my career. I host my own show. I tried my hand at direction. I am in the construction field. I am happy, my car is running. Bobby Deol also had a time when he did not have work for a long time, but when it started, today he does not have dates, so who can’t say when his luck will change. You just have to keep working. When you are on the field, you will be able to score goals, right?
Which was the most difficult period for you?
-The period before Dabangg was very difficult, due to which I decided that I can also become a producer. That was a phase when I felt that I was not able to achieve what I wanted to achieve as an actor. See, in the game of tennis, its seeding is also up to 20. There may be thousands of players in this game, but only those who are in the top 20 are asked. Even in acting, there are 10-15 such actors whose names you remember. It is important to stay in it. It may take some time, but if you have been in this field for 10-15 years and you are not able to make that place, then you have to accept that it is not happening.
I thought that I have to earn name, now what difference does it make whether I earn it through acting or production or direction. Now if I pursue my passion of acting, how will it work? I have given a lot of time to acting. I will have to leave it and now whatever happens in it will be seen, it was my transition period after a difficult period. Today, if people like Subhash Ghai, Rakesh Roshan, Shekhar Kapur had remained engaged in acting, they would not have become such big filmmakers. Today if people ask whether Arbaaz Khan is a better actor or a better producer, then Dabangg’s answer is that he is a better filmmaker.
How has your marriage with Shura changed you? Your pair is very popular on social media.
– What is it when someone’s arrival brings peace in your life? There is a pause and confidence. That has happened to me. The environment of your home reflects in your work, behavior and surroundings. If you are a king at home, it reflects outside also. Insha Allah it continues. Both of us are very mature. Many times it takes time to understand each other at a young age, mistakes are made. But now I have experienced it to some extent. Now I have started understanding how to maintain relationships.
Look, there will be ups and downs. But how to handle them and how to be patient with them. First of all, you should believe that this person is right for me and is my well-wisher and I also want the best for him. Shura is like a blessing in my life. We are each other’s friends. understand each other. Although there is a difference in our ages, we do not feel that difference. We are mutually comfortable in every aspect of our lives. She gives a lot of encouragement. Pushes a lot at work. She is happy when I do well at work. Sometimes when your partner does well, you are not happy. Both of you have ego problems and this causes the problem. She brings out the best in me. I am very happy. What else do I need.
You are promoting your film, but the sword of threat is hanging over Salman Khan at home? Mom Salma Khan must be very upset with you?
-Absolutely. Mom is very worried, but this is a situation where we can do something and cannot do anything. Where we cannot do anything, we have left it to God above and we are doing whatever is in our hands, taking precautions, taking precautions and keeping an eye on security. The issues with Salman in our house are not a thing of yesterday. He has been gone for years, so we have tried to live as normal a life as we can and do our own work because it is not possible for us to leave everything behind. Movies are our life. This is where our people are.