Salman Khan’s film career wasn’t always a smooth ride. As the son of famous screenwriter Salim Khan, he still had to work hard to make a name for himself. He started with a supporting role in the film “Biwi Ho To Aisi.”
Director Sooraj Barjatya recalls the first time he met Salman. Barjatya was looking for a hero for his film “Maine Pyar Kiya,” and he had heard that Salman was planning to become an actor. Barjatya wasn’t impressed with Salman at first, but he decided to give him a chance.
Barjatya says, “When I first met Salman, I thought he wasn’t hero material. He was short and didn’t have the typical hero look.” But when Barjatya saw Salman’s pictures, he was impressed. “It was the magic of the camera,” he says.
Salman had initially turned down the offer to work in “Maine Pyar Kiya” because he didn’t want to play a saint-like character. But Barjatya convinced him to take the role.
Salman’s Struggle to Fit In
Barjatya recalls that Salman’s screen test didn’t go as planned. “His voice didn’t have the depth I was looking for,” he says. But when Salman was given a guitar and asked to perform a simple action in front of the camera, Barjatya was convinced that he had found his hero.
Despite the initial doubts, Barjatya decided to take a chance on Salman. He says, “I told him to trust me, and I would make him a star.” And that’s exactly what happened. “Maine Pyar Kiya” was a huge success, and Salman became a household name.
A True Professional
Barjatya praises Salman for his professionalism and dedication to his craft. “He’s always been a true gentleman and has never let me down,” he says. Even when Salman was working on other projects, he would often call Barjatya to ask for his opinion or seek his advice.
Barjatya also recalls how Salman would often send other actors to him, asking him to launch them in his films. But Barjatya was clear that he wanted to work with Salman. “It’s his personality that has always drawn me to him,” he says. “He’s always been honest and straightforward, and that’s what I admire about him.”
Today, Salman is one of the biggest stars in Bollywood, and Barjatya is proud of the role he played in launching his career. “He’s still the same person he was when we first met,” Barjatya says. “And I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him.”