"Today," says fangirl Daisy Shah, "the fact has sunk in that, okay, I'm an actress and I've worked with Salman Khan."
He watched her as an assistant choreographer and thought she had more potential.
One fine day, says Daisy Shah, who is currently enjoying the success of her second Hindi film, Hate Story 3, he picked her for a film.
That helping hand is typical of Salman, says Daisy, who has watched the actor step out of his way to assist people.
In this interview -- part of our series on Salman Khan as he turns 50 -- she talks to Jahnavi Patel/Rediff.com about her favourite superstar.
You said you signed Hate Story 3 because of Salman Khan. The film is doing really well at the box office. Will you always turn to him for advice?
Yes, I will. I've promised myself that I'll always keep Salman in the loop.
Whatever I am today is because of him. People know me because of him.
Even though I've done movies in the south, people didn't know who Daisy Shah was till I did Jai Ho.
Every person has a different rapport with him. I feel he is a very wise man; he knows what works and what doesn't.
You're seeing the results of Hate Story 3, right? That was the reason he asked me to do this movie. He knew this before even the movie had started.
I'm thankful to him and will make sure he knows about whatever projects I do.
What was it like working with him in Jai Ho?
Jai Ho was my first Bollywood film as a lead actress.
I've been Salman's fan since I was six years old.
Today, the fact has sunk in that, okay, I'm an actress and I've worked with Salman Khan.
But when I was actually working with him, I was awestruck. Even on the sets, I couldn't believe I was working with Salman.
Is there any specific incident?
No, no. You have to keep that side of you aside and work as an actor on sets.
If I always keep that in mind that Salman is in front of me, I would have never been able to act… meri bolti bandh ho jaati thi (I would be speechless).
There were times when I had to literally switch off the fan in me and say, 'Daisy, calm down. First do your work and then you can get that fan in you alive again.'
How did you get the film? Did he know you from before?
I was an assistant choreographer, that's how he knew me. I had done a lot of songs with him and he thought I had the potential of being something more than what I was.
The day he realised that I've moved on from assisting and started modelling and doing movies down south, he gave me a chance.
I was more than happy to take it.
What is the best advice Salman has given you?
He always tells me, 'Make sure you work harder on yourself. The day you work harder on yourself, people will automatically work on you.'
Which of Salman's qualities do you like the most?
It is difficult for me to pinpoint a quality that I don't like about him.
If it is about the qualities I love, I have a long list.
First of all, I like his nature, the kind of person he is. He is an absolute giver. No matter who the person is, he is always ready to help.
If he spots someone on the road who is in need of something, he will stop his car and help him. This is something very unusual. A superstar like Salman doing it is commendable.
This is something one should learn from him.
Which is your favourite Salman film? Why do you like it?
I love Maine Pyar Kiya. That was the first Salman movie I saw. I was five or six years old and it was playing on television.
It is such a cute and nice love story plus Bhagyashree's character is so good.
I don't know if Rajshri is planning to make this movie again but if they do, I'll beg them to let me do it.
Tell us something about Salman that no one else knows.
There are many things that only I know about Salman and I would rather keep them to myself.
What are his Eid parties like?
It's a party environment. There's a lot of masti happening and a lot of business talk goes on as well.
Plus, you meet a lot of people you have not met in years.
Salman Khan's house is like an open house, everybody can walk in.
How is your equation with Salman Khan, professionally and personally?
Professionally, it is very good. Personally, it is very, very good.
Are you close to his family as well?
I know them very well and meet them often. I am really happy I have met them because his entire family has the same nature. That's why Salman is the way he is.
From Salma aunty to Salman uncle to Helen aunty to Arpita, Alvira, Arbaaz and Sohail bhai, Malaika and Seema, everybody is so down-to-earth and generous.
If you walk into their house and the entire family is there, they don't have the attitude that we're the Khans so we won't give you that respect or gel with you.
Salman Khan turns 50 on December 27. What would you wish him on his birthday?
He is turning 50, but does he look 50 from any angle? He still looks 25.
I think he doesn't age. Wishing him a very happy 50th birthday and may he look like 25 till whenever he can.
