When Farah Khan asked Sooraj Barjatya not to cast Salman Khan for ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’

Salman Khan‘s very first blockbuster ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ is still fresh in the memory of his die-hard fans. The film achieved a cult status in Indian cinema and is remembered even today for getting the limelight of the then struggling Salman Khan. 27 years after the release of the film, we found an interesting fact that has its roots in the auditions of this film.

When Sooraj Barjatya called Salman for audition, he thought the makers would test his dancing skills as well. Determined to give his best shot, Salman called up a friend and requested for a dance lesson for half an hour and also to accompany him at the audition. And this Salman’s friend and the situational dance teacher was none other than Farah Khan. (Also Read: Salman Khan wraps up the first schedule of ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’)

In one of his later interviews, Salman had revealed to a leading daily saying, “Woh log nachayenge mujhe toh tu aaja mere ko do-teen steps sikha de. Chow Mow (Farah’s dancing partner) used to be dancing with her so I called her along with Chow Mow to Juhu beach. I had to learn front somersault. She was like, ‘Front somersault? Kab sikhne ka hai?’ I said, ‘Mere paas adhe ghante ka time hai!’ We tried it. First three attempts, I fell flat on my face. But the fourth one, I got the somersault right. Then we went for the auditions.” [sic]

During the auditions, Salman started dancing carefree in his own style to a number. To this, Farah told him, “Barabar karna, teri picture chal jayegi Salman.” But he continued to dance that way. Salman also revealed that further Farah kept on looking at director Sooraj Barjatya and also changed her loyalties. She told Sooraj not to take Salman as it was his first film (as a filmmaker) and a big one at that. Salman heard this conversation and further said that Farah was not able to get a great performance out from him and fled from the audition.

Well, let us just what’s destined to be will be. After Farah left, Salman gave some more shots which received a thumbs up from Sooraj and his cousins Chanda and Charu. They cast him as the lovable Prem that turned out to be an iconic character in Indian cinema and still finds a prominence among Salman’s fans and admirers.

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.