Salman Khan’s got a release this week. But, never one for self-promotion, he’s gone into hiding. “My job is to act, to publicise the film on its merits, I’m not here to con my fans. From the promos, fans know if they want to see the film. Main apna dhindora nahi peet ta. I don’t do things like call myself ‘King’ because then my friends will start to refer to me by that title and then their friends — and before I know it, I will have a title attached to my name that I gave myself! I’m happy the way I am,” the macho star told us in a phone in yesterday. Excerpts from the conversation…

In your new film, a girl breaks up with the guy she loves for a NRI match with better prospects. If this happened to you in real life, would you forgive her?
To each his own. If that person is going to give her more security and more love; if she and her children will get a good life, and she is getting nothing here from this guy, then I think it’s good.

The film talks about a call from God. Do you believe in God?
There are people who don’t but I truly believe that we are all here because of a higher force — you call him Allah, or Bhagwaan or God, but in the end he has made us all.

You have quite an intimidating persona… What does it take to be a friend of Salman Khan?
Well, I have not been fortunate with friends. Two of my childhood friends are dead. Two of them are travelling for the last 25-30 years and the ones that I made of late, have not turned out to be friends. But I am lucky that I have got two brothers, my brother-in-law Atul and my father. We are all friends.

You’re famous for your shirtless scenes and good physique. Any fitness tip for fans?
It’s not about showing off your body — it’s about being fit and one has to do whatever is best to stay fit. You need to have physical support in whatever field you are in. Your heart, mind and body should to be in sync. Fitness training is a great habit to have especially for the youth — instead of finding them by the beach doing sutta, and other things, it’s great to see them going to the gym. If at my age I can do it, so can guys at 17 and 20! When I see a guy who is fitter than me I hit the gym harder… it keeps me motivated! Fitness is hours and hours of hard work and about eating right… in the middle of an 18-hour shooting schedule seven days a week!