Viveck Vaswani Opens Up About His Decision to Avoid Future Collaborations With Salman Khan
In a candid conversation with journalist Vickey Lalwani, veteran actor and producer Viveck Vaswani has revealed the reasons behind his choice to never work with superstar Salman Khan again after their 1991 film Patthar Ke Phool. While acknowledging Salman's professionalism in specific setups, Vaswani cited concerns over discipline and working environment as key factors.
The Discipline Factor: A Non-Negotiable Boundary
When asked if he was ever tempted to collaborate with Salman Khan again, Vaswani responded unequivocally. "I wasn't," he stated. "I cannot work where there is liquor. I cannot work where people drink alcohol and work with indiscipline." This firm stance highlights Vaswani's commitment to maintaining a certain professional atmosphere on set.
However, Vaswani clarified that his position isn't absolute. He expressed willingness to work with Salman under specific conditions. "If I get the Salman who works with Sooraj Barjatya, then I would do it," he explained. "Because with them, Salman is completely disciplined, a top professional—he gives them his best. If I work with Salman, I would like to give him the best."
Salman Khan's Dual Persona: Actor Versus Star
Vaswani pointed out that Salman Khan's working style varies significantly depending on the filmmaker. "With some filmmakers, he is in control—like Aditya Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sooraj Barjatya," he noted. "These are producers who don't make films just on Salman's name. They get the same respect because they are very big banners. They don't allow interference. They need Salman the actor, not Salman the star."
Drawing a clear distinction between creative input and professionalism, Vaswani emphasized, "No, no... I don't want indiscipline. If you want to change something, sit with the director, change your dialogues, change your costume—that's fine. Interference is okay. But indiscipline is not acceptable."
Recalling Patthar Ke Phool: Respect for Hierarchy and Writers
Reflecting on their collaboration in Patthar Ke Phool, Vaswani shared that Salman's father, legendary writer Salim Khan, was present on set. "Salim saab was there. He had written the script. Salim saab was very kind to me," he recalled. He added that while Salman did suggest changes during filming, the writer's authority remained final.
"He would say, 'Can we do it this way?' and those were not bad suggestions. But when Salim-Javed were writing, I had heard they would not allow even one word to be changed," Vaswani explained. "You have to respect the stature of a giant. That's why those films succeeded."
Despite his reservations, Vaswani maintained that Salman was collaborative during discussions. "When you sat with him on a scene, he would think. He was not rigid," he said. "But if someone said, 'Change this,' he would say, 'Go to the writer—I haven't written it.' So there was a hierarchy we all respected."
Reflections on a Changing Industry: From Human Interaction to Digital Communication
Vaswani also contrasted the film industry of the past with today's environment. "Those were very different times. We would meet, sit, discuss things. There were no laptops, no emails," he reminisced. "We were more human—we would argue, sit together and resolve things. Today, people send 200 emails."
He revealed that he continues to maintain contact with the Khan family. "I meet them sometimes—at parties, film premieres. They are very fond of me," he shared, mentioning his fondness for Helen and early interactions with Sohail, Arbaaz and Arpita Khan.
Vaswani's insights provide a nuanced perspective on working relationships in Bollywood, highlighting how discipline, respect for creative processes, and personal boundaries shape professional decisions in the entertainment industry.
