WHAT WE WANT

In his 20-year career, the blockbusters may have been few and far between, but when it comes to counting controversies, Salman Khan is right on top.The list in brief: getting violent with girlfriends, from Somy Ali to Aishwarya Rai; running his car over a group of pavement dwellers, killing one; poaching blackbucks in Rajasthan. And some more: drunken brawls, spats with co-actors (Shah Rukh Khan has recently joined the list), underworld links, making threatening phone calls. Salman has been accused of doing it all.

What to do: Should highlight his softer, humane side. “Salman is involved in a lot of charity work and bears the treatment expenses for cancer-afflicted children. He spends time with them and attends every birthday. But he never talks about it,” says Sallu fan Sambit Ray. Salman apparently wanted to donate his bone marrow for the treatment of these children.

Salman is also sensitive (proof: he spends hours painting) and generous (he hands over expensive Rolex watches to co-stars and even strangers. Wow!). He reportedly cries his heart out whenever he watches an emotional film (so does L.K. Advani).

Salman Khan should come out.

What not to do: Shouldn’t drive rashly. Shouldn’t drink and drive. Should get himself a driver.

Shouldn’t threaten present boyfriends of ex-girlfriends in the middle of the night. Not 41 times.

Should not be seen drinking straight out of a bottle.

Should not be seen anywhere close to an endangered animal.

Should not go to Rajasthan. After the blackbuck case, Salman is mired in another controversy in the desert state, with allegations that the sets of his new film Veer have damaged the Amber Fort where it is being shot. The shoot has now been called off. “The bad boy image works for Salman, his I-am-what-I-am attitude makes him THE Salman Khan. But it wouldn’t really harm him if he controlled his temper and toned down his attitude. I feel that he is grossly misunderstood and should amend that by being more media-friendly,” says publicist Dale Bhagwagar.

What to say: “I am sorry.”

What not to say: “I don’t care what people think about me.”

Who to be seen with: People he has had a problem with — from Viveik Oberoi to the Bachchans to Shah Rukh Khan.

Who not to be seen with: Anyone with underworld connections.

What to be seen using: Clothes. Maybe a shirt?

What not to be seen using: A gun.