-Prembabu Sharma
“I always thought Bollywood stays silent during Salman Khan controversies because they fear his bigness. But this opinion changed when I met him at IIFA this year,” says actress and fashionista Rupali Suri. “I realized that people do not fear him, they respect him.”
Talking about her interview with the Sultan actor for her IIFA green carpet assignment, the Gladrags MegaModel winner recounts, “There was a lot of chirpy frenzy around, but as soon as Salman walked in and stood before me for the interview, all of a sudden, the atmosphere changed. Everyone was quiet, as if waiting for him to begin.”
“After the interview, the ambience was again relaxed and industry people continued their other work as if nothing had changed. Salman was still around and being cordial with people. There and then it struck me that it was not fear but immense respect that drove them to silence for the few minutes I conducted the interview.”
This realization was overwhelming for Rupali. “This kind of respect comes from his do-gooder image, chilled out nature and of course, the amazing continuing success that Salman commands. Now I understand why Salman did not go about town explaining his stance to the media, or making a show of an apology, when they dragged him in the rape comment controversy. He is so above all such drama.”
Rupali is also thrilled with her interview interactions with Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Shiamak Davar, Gulshan Grover, Ranveer Singh and Sanjay Leela Bhansali. “Hrithik turned out to be a super emotional guy who cares so much for his family, especially his kids.”
“Shaimak Davar who was also my dance teacher when I was in school, is as suave as ever. Bad Man Gulshan Grover is actually a warm, affectionate and very knowledgeable man. Priyanka Chopra is a perfectionist with her quotes while Mr Bhansali and Ranveer share great camaraderie,” she recalls.
Rupali will soon be making her big screen debut, playing a key role in director Arun Frank’s first feature film ‘Dad… Hold My Hand’.
