'If he wants to put me down to bring himself up, let him do it'

After Vivek Oberoi's outburst against him on television, Salman Khan appeared stoic and amused at his colleague's bitter recriminations.

"Don't worry, it is nothing, nothing at all. Please don't write anything about it. Vivek Oberoi is a kid who has just discovered the joys of stardom. He will learn with time. I will cope with this problem, just like I have with all my other problems."

Just before flying off to London on the morning of April 2 to shoot for B R Chopra's Baghban, Salman says, "Have you heard about Lord Buddha? There was a man spitting at him constantly. A well-wisher asked him why he was not reacting. And he said, 'Don't worry about it. Let the man get rid of all the filth inside him. All I have to do is wash my face.' I am certainly no Buddha. But let me wash my face in peace."

Salman is expected to return to Mumbai on April 9.

Vivek's anti-Salman press conference created a stir in the media. "Whose name got him there, huh? If my name can get someone so much play time on television, it must mean something, no? If someone tries to pull you down, it means you are a lot higher. If he wants to put me down to bring himself up, let him do it. It is okay. I have no problem with that. I know my friends want to speak on my behalf. But I don't want them to. They love me too much to say anything bad about me. In my 14-year career, I have done 100 films. If God is willing, no one can take what I have. My friends and family are suffering. But it is just a passing phase. I am leaving for London now. I am so petrified I have to run away!" jokes the actor.