At 60, Salman Khan has been at it for 37 years. And while his stardom has spiralled, so has his grounded and family-oriented nature and his sharp and perceptive witticisms, often at his own expense. Here’s presenting a collection from multiple meets with the star over the decades on the occasion of his turning a youthful sixty.

12 Salman Khan quotes on his 60th birthday

On how he signed his first film, Biwi Ho To Aisi
“I met the film’s director and co-writer J.K. Bihari some years back and asked him why I was chosen, as my secondary role to Farouque Shaikh had been rejected by many actors. He told me that he had been completely frustrated. When one fine day, he was at his garage-turned-office, he told his team that the next idiot to walk in would bag the film. And it was me! But I had entered the garage in style, and was convinced that I was signed because of my personality!”

On his superstardom
“It’s God’s will. I do not know what my fans see in me. It’s probably also the kind of films I like to do, which are the kind I have enjoyed from childhood. I loved ‘hero-giri’ as an audience. Today, it is as if I am sitting with the same audience again and seeing me doing the same kind of things on screen, and their reaction is what mine used to be at that time.”

On how long such mega-success can last
“I think that Aamir (Khan), Akki (Akshay Kumar), Ajay (Devgn), Shah Rukh (Khan) and I have been very lucky. No one gets to be in such positions for so long. Yes, I am prepared for the day my films will also open to eight to ten percent collections, like those of many new actors today. But I don’t see that coming so soon!”

On doing multi-hero films
“I have done lots of films with two, three or even more heroes. I have never had a problem with that, and I have worked with them all. But today’s young stars are dicey about working with each other! My generation is much more secure and understands that it is an advantage for a film, because fans of both actors will go watch it.”

On how he chooses his films
“By instinct and in an instant. I must instantly like it. You will never find me telling the director, ‘I will think about it!’ or ‘I will tell you tomorrow!’”

On why he has never played a superhero
“My super-hero is Sal-Man, not Super-Man or Spider-Man!”

12 Salman Khan quotes on his 60th birthday

On any plans to turn director
“I wanted to start my career as a director. That did not happen…Thank God!”

On whether he is game for a web series now
“Yes, I like the clean ones, not the rubbish that goes on a lot. But I guess those too are clean—the team must be taking a bath before coming on sets!”

On disallowing a pap who clicked him puffing away
“I think stars should not be seen smoking on screen. We do have an impact on people. I have no right to spoil anyone else’s health just because I am personally willing to suffer the consequences of my addiction.”

On refusing to do a kissing scene in his 2007 international film, Marigold
“I have one rule of work. If I don’t kiss on the Indian screen, I am not going to kiss over there!”

On whether he has proposed to anyone, or been proposed to by a girl, maybe over a candlelight dinner
“No! And I don’t like candlelight dinners and never go for them! For one, I like to see what I am eating, and two, such questions may come up during them!”

On taking credit for success and blame for failure
“I take the blame when my film flops. The moment ego comes in, like I will show that I make this film run, ooparwale ki laathi padti hai jiski awaaz nahin hoti (God wields his silent stick)! But if a film works, especially after the first Sunday, which is the best a star can do, everyone deserves the credit, especially the writer and director.”

Also Read: Salman Khan-owned Being Human Clothing announces 50% sale ahead of actor’s 60th birthday