Maniesh Paul: Salman Khan is family, I’ve never looked at him as an opportunity

Actor-host Maniesh Paul says that Salman Khan is more of a guiding force in his life, who advises him on everything.

Actor and star host Maniesh Paul enjoys quite a reputation in the entertainment industry. But, not many know that he entered showbiz through the hard way. He had told us earlier how he would be rejected initially in some auditions, because the makers didn’t like his appearance.

Actor-host Maniesh Paul recently released his first Punjabi single.

Asked if he encountered people who tried to take advantage of his vulnerable situation as a struggler then, Maniesh says, “There have been times, I wouldn’t deny that. But that’s fine, I didn’t mind that. Everybody is a struggler. Even the biggest of actors never say that they are not struggling. I learned this from them, that all one can do is keep working hard.”

“Honestly, I have never explored my connections,” he says, adding, “I have never misused them. The contacts I have are of friends and family, and if we talk about Salman, he’s more of a family to me rather than an opportunity, I have never looked at him as one. He liked my work as a host and we got together because of that, but we never discuss work.”

Maniesh adds that being a senior in the industry, Salman is more of a guide to him. “He definitely keeps guiding me wherever he feels I am going wrong, or where he feels I can improve. I grab that [advice].”

His last release, Baa Baa Black Sheep, didn’t get a great response at the box-office but that hasn’t disheartened Maniesh. “It didn’t affect me much. I recently came out with my single, then I have a short film lined up. I believe in working everyday. I don’t think one should give that one box-office hit and sit idle for a year, I honestly can’t afford that since I have a creative mind,” he concludes.

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