I respect Salman too much: Sajid Nadiadwala

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala discusses the Akshay-Salman clique, his filmi khaandaan and more with Madhureeta Mukherjee
He’s a ‘family producer’. Fifty-five years and three generations into the business, Sajid Nadiadwala believes he’s best at family entertainers and can only think ‘big’.
Your films get bigger by the year — budget-wise, cast-wise and collection-wise… My father owned two theaters.Ever since I was a little boy, I was used to seeing larger-than-life movies — the Manmohan Desai kinds. That’s my forte — I know how to make these films for audiences.
Don’t you think of making the films on a smaller budget? On the contrary, I’m responsible for increasing budgets. My filmmakers never allow me to participate in creative discussions, because my imagination starts running wild. If there are two helicopters in the scenes, I ask for six. I believe in vision. If the script demands it, it should happen. Filmmaking is an experience that should be lived to its fullest.
You share a special bond with most of your leading men, be it Akshay, Salman, Riteish… I only make one film per year, and I want it to be a happy experience. It’s always better to work with people you know and have a personal bond with.
Salman was apparently upset when you were in talks with SRK for a film… I was considering SRK for one of my projects but I had spoken with Salman before approaching him. Friendships take forever to be formed and can be thrown away easily, but I respect him too much. I’ve discussed all important decisions of my life with Salman.
Housefull 2 is a hit now, but were you nervous before its release? Oh totally! I’m a nervous wreck before all my producers are. We become so vulnerable asking opinions and advise from everyone — chaiwaalas and drivers included.
Nowadays, production houses are opting for small-budget content-driven films… I’m used to seeing films that are made on a huge scale. I don’t know how to sell a small film; I don’t know how to see one. I’m used to seeing ‘Housefull’ boards hanging at ticket-windows.