My films need Salman: Arbaaz Khan

From being an actor to turning producer and now finally to being the director, Arbaaz Khan seems to be on one of those blessed journeys — the ones most Bollywood aspirants only dream about. Point that out to him and Arbaaz gives his take, “Everybody in the industry is doing it, so why not me? There are people who are acting, producing and directing, it’s not like I am doing something like that for the first time ever. I am aware that it is going to be challenging, but it’s not impossible.”

In fact, turning director has been an ambition that Khan seems to have nurtured for years now. “I began my career as an assistant director to Mahesh Bhatt. At the back of my mind, I always hoped to turn director one day. It was only a matter of time and opportunity,” informs Khan.

More than an opportunity, rumours are that Khan had to fill in as director out of compulsion when director Abhinav Kashyap refused to be a part of the sequel of Dabangg. “That came as a surprise,” admits Khan.

“I had got Salman’s bulk dates for shooting the sequel. We were in talks with Abhinav for over a month. Suddenly, one day, he sent across a message to say that he would not be able to be part of the sequel. He seemed reluctant, as he might have had something bigger and better on mind. I had to move on and therefore decided to take control of the reins,” he explains.

Surely, that translates to a bigger challenge. And Khan retorts confidently, “Regardless whether the first film is a hit or a flop, the sequel has to be a hit. That is a fact.” While this sequel will mark his debut as a director, one is curious to know if all his films will feature brother Salman Khan in the lead role. “I don’t know what the future holds. I am not saying I won’t work with any other actor, but as of now, my films needs Salman,” states the newbie.