Actor Salman Khan and the filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya – two names that have defined Bollywood romance since the 1989 blockbuster Maine Pyaar Kiya. While Salman became a household name with his role as Prem but not many know that his director Sooraj Barjatya was initially skeptical about casting him as a hero. In a recent interview with Mid-Day, Barjatya recalled his surprising first impression of the actor and how his doubts changed over time.
Sooraj Barjatya ’s Initial Doubts About Salman Khan
During the interview, Sooraj Barjatya shared that his first introduction to Salman Khan was through a model who auditioning for the leading actress role of Suman. The model suggested Salman for the role of Prem but Barjatya was unsure and wondered saying “I questioned, ‘Why would Salim (Khan) Saab’s son work with me?’” However, as he was looking for a fresh face, so he decided to meet Salman at his office.
When Salman arrived to his place, Barjatya was taken aback. “I go out to see him, and he is such a short boy. I said, ‘He doesn’t even look like a hero.’” But then Salman showed him some pictures. “He looked outstanding in them,” Barjatya recalled. As the director started narrating the script, Salman’s interest and enthusiasm grew. By the time while narrating they reached the interval, and already shaken hands on the project.
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Salman’s Initial Struggles with Voice and Dance
Despite Salman’s good looks, Barjatya still had concerns to ign him for the role. “It was my mistake as a newcomer. His voice wasn’t there. There was no throw. I couldn’t understand what he was saying,” he admitted. Another challenge was Salman’s dancing. The role of Prem required good dancing skills, so Barjatya decided to test him. He called renowned Bollywood dance choreographer Farah Khan to the studio and asked her to teach Salman a few steps from Hum To Tere Aashiq Hain from the movie Farz. However, things didn’t go as expected. “I have the test footage where it is going all wrong foot,” Barjatya said with a chuckle. Despite initially struggling to practice, Salman was determined to improve. His hard work and persistence ultimately convinced Barjatya that he was the right choice for the role.
Maine Pyaar Kiya went on to become a massive hit which launched Salman, Bhagyashree as a lead stars and Sooraj Barjatya as a filmmaker into stardom. The film not only made Prem synonymous with Salman but also set a new standard for Bollywood love stories. Over the years, Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya have collaborated on multiple successful films, proving that first impressions aren’t always right and as we though before.
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