Easy come easy go

Salman Khan seems to ascribe to this blurry mantra of 'you-never-know' where relationships are concerned. Personal or profession-al, the torso tyrant is today at crossroads, from where he has to take a decisive step, one way or another. For once, we leave Salman's personal life in its turbulence and speak of his profes-sional, where Salman seems to be taking giant steps to undo whatever damage has been created. And the first target for Sal-man's axe has been his long-time supporter and very close friend David Dhawan.

Salman has stepped out of a film that the Goliath-sized David is directing for film financier, Jhamu Sughand. Reported to be inspired from the Hollywood comic-thriller hit, 'Analyze This', the film starred Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai, at the time of its launch. But today, like we said, lines have blurred with Salman stepping out. Thus ending an association that began with him stepping into Govinda's shoes when the No.1 director cast him as replacement specialist in 'Judwaa'and 'Biwi No. 1'. Interestingly enough, Salman's been replaced by Ajay Devgan, who at one time had sworn never to work with 'the likes of David Dhawan'. But, more of that later.

Critics, cinebuffs and fans alike, who have observed Salman's recent films, are unanimous in their opinion that the star has become tiringly repetitive in his choice of films and roles. Several times, he seemed to be acting in a manner more close to mockery of himself and his viewers, which was a turn-off, to say the least. Sources close to Salman say that considering the fate of his releases in the year gone by, the star feels that the overdose of David Dhawan flicks have been his undoing. Therefore, besides an MKD production, which David was directing and this Jhamu Sughand film, Salman didn't want to sign any more films with the nizam of nonsense.

Speaking of Salman-starrers of the last year, 'Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge'directed by David was a pathetic rehash of films ranging from 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge'to 'Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahin'to numerous other films that David doffed a tattered and most-unwanted cap at. 'Chal Mere Bhai', another David directorial was as disastrous as its precedent.

Then followed 'Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega', directed by Raj Kanwar, which showcased Salman's spoof-ing and parodying talents more than his acting skills. It's not surprising that his last release, 'Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye'failed to get an initial worth his name. And 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke', which was to have released in December is, for now, eclipsed by the underworld financing controversy. About time then, for Salman to don a new avatar, if that were possible.

Salman didn't lag in this realization. He knew he had to recap-ture lost ground. Especially after the influx of fresh talent and threats in the form of Hrithik Roshan, Abhishek Bachchan and Fardeen Khan. Even his favourite film-makers like Sooraj Barjatya and Sanjay Leela Bhansali seemed to have deserted him in favour of more-saleable stars like Hrithik Roshan and Shah Rukh Khan, respectively. Another shocker to Salman came when his sweetheart-turned-producer, Aishwarya, under parental pressure, opted to cast Aftab and Arjun Rampal in her maiden production. All of which didn't go down too well with Salman.

The shirtless star has, apparently, been giving his career a serious rethink, after the spate of negative, yet constructively critical, articles against him in print. And the actor 'analyzed'that it was his association with the same kind of makers, that was responsible. And one name occurred to him instantly - that of David Dhawan. He had even confided to close friends that he wasn't keen on doing the same funny kind of films with David anymore.

But David, say Salman-supporters, is not the only casualty. After the debacle of their home-production, 'Hello Brother', Salman was apprehensive about working under the direction of his own broth-er, Sohail. Luckily for him, Sohail is launching himself as a hero, so Salman's spared the task of walking out of his brother's film.

Which brings us to the facts of this story. Salman is no longer doing Jhamu Sughand's film which is to be directed by David Dhawan. It was reported that Salman asked for the overseas dis-tribution rights of the film as his remuneration, considering that's what he got for 'Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye'and Bubby Kent's forthcoming film. And Jhamu Sughand wasn't willing to satisfy the overbearing demands of the pricey star. Hence, Salman was asked to leave. Which is just how Salman wanted it to be. Other reports say that in the Hollywood-inspired film (is there any other kind?), with Amitabh playing the don and Sanjay Dutt the psychia-trist, what scope would Salman have for histrionics? Apparently, that was the reason Salman decided to play these games.

Let's digress here a bit and introduce another angle to this story. Salman was replaced by none other than Ajay Devgan. This is another development that has shocked industryfolk. That Ajay has consented to act in a David Dhawan film. Of course, it's as surprising to you as it is to us, that someone as reserved and aloof as Ajay Devgan would have problems with anyone, fact is he did. The Ajay Devgan-David Dhawan tussle is quite old, and needs a little jogging of one's memory.

A few years ago, in an interview, David Dhawan had mentioned something uncomplimentary about Ajay Devgan, which the intense actor didn't take kindly to. Naturally enough! So much so that he swore to retaliate physically if he ever came face to face with the comedy king. And when the opportunity came, Ajay, in an attempt to scare and intimidate the roly-poly director, chased David at a suburban studio where the two happened to be shooting for their respective films. This 'sporty'attempt to scare him off wasn't easily digested by David, who was naturally cheesed off for having being made to run for his life (not surprising, again!). Subsequently, Ajay minced no words and lost no opportun-ity in dismissing David's films as trash and swore never to work with him in his lifetime.

But like James Bond says, never say never again. Things seem to have reached full circle, and round one corner met two foes, David and Devgan, and decided to embrace as friends. Close confi-dantes of Ajay insist that he's doing the film for his close friend Sanjay Dutt, and for Amitabh Bachchan, for whom he has immense respect. Besides, Sanjay is slated to play the lead in Ajay's next production, which could support his decision.

To confirm the replacement, we spoke to financier-producer, Jhamu Sughand who replied in the affirmative when asked about signing Ajay for the film. "Yes, Ajay is doing the film now, instead of Salman. But there is no other reason for it than the same old dates problem. You know how difficult it is to co-ordinate the dates of big stars and this film has four big stars."

But then, the dates were already worked out before the film went on the floors, we pursue. "Sometimes, the schedules are delayed and then to re-coordinate the dates once again is a real hassle." So, it wasn't true that Salman demanded the overseas rights as his remuneration? "No, there was no such demand, whatsoever. These rumours are floated by the trade papers and there's abso-lutely no truth in them," thereby avoiding any more questions.

Since Ajay was in the U.S for the premiere of 'Raju Chacha', Kumar Mangat, his secretary spoke on his behalf. He denied any tiff between Ajay and David Dhawan. "There never were any prob-lems between Ajay and David at all." But Ajay had clearly stated in the past that he didn't subscribe to David Dhawan kind of films and would never ever work with David. Kumar Mangat replied, "Ajay had never said he wouldn't work with David." Ha, ha, ha, is all we'd like to say.

Talk about convenient memory and playing ostrich, Devgan and gang seem to be masters at playing the amnesia-game.

Getting back to the protagonist of our story, Salman Khan, well, walking out of a film isn't exactly a crime and wanting to get your career back in order isn't a misdemanour worthy of being called wrongdoing. No actor is indispensable, not even Salman Khan. At least, let's credit Salman with at least some sense in waking up and smelling the coffee. Better late than never, what say?

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