Bollywood's enfant-terrible Salman turns activist

He has been seen as an enfant-terrible, but Salman Khan wants to change that with the 30 short films that he has shot for a cause. His Wanted producer Boney Kapoor says it will project him as an icon well-versed with his social duties.

He has been seen as an enfant-terrible, but Salman Khan wants to change that with the 30 short films that he has shot for a cause. His "Wanted" producer Boney Kapoor says it will project him as an icon well-versed with his social duties.

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"For 'Wanted', we wanted Salman to completely abandon the bad boy image. Salman is a youth icon. And those 30 short films on public issues we've produced will project him as a responsible citizen and an icon who knows his duties," Kapoor said.

The 30 short films, directed by Nikhil Saini and produced by Kapoor's SK Enterprises, will go on air a week before the release of "Wanted", which is scheduled for a Sep 18 release. These films will have Salman addressing the public about social issues such as drugs, old people, crime and so on.

"The 30 short films will be unleashed in quick succession one after another," said Kapoor.

Almost all the marketing for "Wanted" will benefit Salman's new charity concern, Being Human.

"It's true Salman's keen interest in marketing 'Wanted' has a lot to do with his newly-discovered craving for organised social work. This was a side to Salman that always existed. It just needed to be harnessed. Earlier too he contributed hugely to charitable and social causes. But not in this organised fashion," said Kapoor.

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Kapoor, who earlier teamed up with Salman in hit comedy "No Entry", thinks quite highly of the actor.

"Salman is one of the best human beings I've met. We first bonded over Vodka and Bacardi in Hyderabad when he was shooting for 'Judwaa' and I for 'Judaai'. Later I asked him to do a two-day appearance in 'Sirf Tum'. He immediately agreed.

"When I asked his fee, he said he wanted another drinking session like the one in Hyderabad. Then he did 'No Entry' for me at time when I was going through a low. Even for 'Milenge Milenge' he agreed to a cameo until he opted out for whatever reason."

Directed by well-known choreographer-turned-director Prabhu Deva, "Wanted" is a remake of the 2006 Telugu film "Pokiri" and it also stars Ayesha Takia.