Being Human is all set to venture into the jewellery sector and Salman Khan assures it's affordable for all patrons. The dream woman he would like to adornIJ Waheeda Rehman. Unnati Joshi reports
"Sorry we are slightly late today but the reason is not me, there is a new star born in the family and his name is Ahil (sister Arpita's son). It took him time to get ready," Salman Khan said jokingly as he took the stage. Yes, the only Khan of Bollywood, being human and bratty at the same time, is finally venturing into the jewellery business as an extension of his fashion label. This will be helmed by the women he loves most, his sisters Arpita and Alvira.
Bhai assumed the role of pater familias, flanked by mother Salma, helping his sisters in their debut venture. But then, given the current discussion boards concerning the Uri attacks, he had no option but to take some questions. Bhai being bhai was at his candid best, self-assured and diplomatic at the same time. "The action taken against terrorists is justified. The ideal situation should have been of no violence and just peace but now that this has happened, I can only say that obviously there is a reaction to every action." However, he also mentioned that Pakistani artistes were not terrorists. "They are artistes, not terrorists. It's the government who gives them work permits and visas." As newsmen prodded him more, Khan drew the line with, "I have already answered this. Anyway you are going to play it 100 times on your channel."
He then quickly got the discussion to his interest, rather the lack of it, in jewellery. Elaborating on his alliance between Being Human and Style Quotient Jewellery (SQJ), he said, "I endorsed this brand quite a few years ago and then we came up with Bajrangi Bhaijaan's pendant. We were trying to come up with something in Sultan too, a ring that I was supposed to wear in the film but I am slightly phobic about rings, so we had to cancel it.The only thing I wear is this," he said, flashing his sapphire-inlaid bracelet.
We also saw a video clip, rather a promo of the brand's new sector, where Salman told actress Jacqueline Fernandez that rings scare him. Does that mean he is commitment phobic too about marriage as wellIJ Only time will tell. He continued, "My sisters come with varied preferences and, therefore, have the best understanding of the market. Arpita Khan Sharma is into expensive pieces while Alvira Khan Agnihotri is into the cheaper variants. So both the sisters have two different categories of pricing."
What's so special about Being Human jewelleryIJ Well, apparently Salman wanted to thank his fans for supporting the brand. So everytime you open the jewellery box, an in-built sound chip will echo his gratitude for helping him in a noble cause. At this point baby Ahil started crying and Khan got distracted. "I have never seen him cry!" he exclaimed, a very concerned uncle. When the crying bout seemed to go out of control, he asked Arpita, "Get him on stage, he is feeling left out. He is the happiest baby, he never cries." And then flashing his famous smile, he started playing with Ahil.
Then came the googly. "Is there any Bollywood actress he would give this jewellery toIJ"
"You want a controversial answerIJ" he asked. And after a roaring laugh, he said, "Waheeda Rehman." Arpita, meanwhile, looked tired, maybe because of the sleepless nights that little Ahil is giving her. Asked about the jewellery line, she gave a rehearsed answer: "I love jewellery like all other girls and I am really very happy that I am a part of this venture and will get to work with Prasad and his team. It has been a great journey and I hope everyone enjoys the jewellery like we do making them." She then put down the mike hurriedly lest people grill her about her bro. All this while mum Salma kept quiet and looked over her children indulgently. Khan even made her wear a ring from his collection. Salma kissed her son and they left soon after like they had come, as a family. The jewellery is inspired by Being Human's six core brand values - love, care, share, joy, help and hope.
Photos: Pankaj Kumar