Salman Khan took 5 months to think of working with which actress?
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan is known for being meticulous about his film choices, especially when it comes to the co-stars he works with. Director Sooraj Barjatya, who has worked with Salman on several blockbuster films, recently revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes story about the casting process for the 2015 movie Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. The revelation sheds light on why it took Salman a surprising five months to decide whether to work alongside actress Sonam Kapoor.
Salman Khan's History with Sooraj Barjatya
Salman Khan has had a long and successful association with director Sooraj Barjatya. The duo has worked together on three notable films prior to Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which are Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), and Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999). Each of these films was a massive success, solidifying Salman Khan’s place as one of Bollywood's top actors and establishing Sooraj Barjatya as a master storyteller.
The Prem Ratan Dhan Payo Dilemma
Released in 2015, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo was Salman's fourth collaboration with Barjatya. However, unlike their previous films, this one came with a casting challenge. Sooraj Barjatya, who wrote the script, wanted a fresh pairing for Salman’s character, leading him to consider actress Sonam Kapoor for the role. Despite the film’s eventual success, Salman initially had strong reservations about the idea.
Sonam Kapoor’s Selection
In a recent interview, Sooraj Barjatya shared how Sonam Kapoor came to be considered for the role. After seeing Sonam's performance in Raanjhanaa (2013), Barjatya believed she would be the perfect fit for the female lead opposite Salman. He was eager to introduce a fresh on-screen pair to Bollywood audiences. To persuade Salman, Barjatya presented Sonam's pictures to him. While Barjatya was confident in his decision, it was clear that Salman needed time to process the suggestion.
Salman’s Reservations
When presented with Sonam Kapoor as a potential co-star, Salman initially had several concerns. His first reaction was, “Give me some time so that I can think.” According to Barjatya, a month went by without a response from the actor. When asked about his hesitation, Salman shared two key reservations:
- He was worried that Sonam Kapoor was much younger than him.
- He felt uncomfortable because Sonam had grown up in front of him, as he had known her since childhood through her family.
Salman’s concerns stemmed from their significant age difference and the fact that Sonam was someone he had seen grow up in the film industry. This made it challenging for him to envision a romantic on-screen dynamic with her.
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A Five-Month Decision
Despite Barjatya reminding Salman that they had worked together before in the 2007 film Saawariya, it still took five long months for Salman to finally agree to work with Sonam Kapoor in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. The director recalled this process in the interview, emphasizing that even though Salman ultimately agreed, it wasn't an easy decision for him. The pairing turned out to be a hit, and the film went on to do excellent business at the box office.
Conclusion
In the world of Bollywood, casting decisions are often fraught with personal considerations and challenges. Salman Khan’s hesitation to work with Sonam Kapoor in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo demonstrates how even seasoned actors face dilemmas when it comes to their on-screen partners. Ultimately, Salman’s decision to move forward with the film resulted in a successful collaboration, adding another hit to his repertoire with Sooraj Barjatya.
