In an interesting revelation about the making of the 1999 Bollywood family drama Hum Saath Saath Hain, filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya shared how superstar Salman Khan had requested a change in his character. This moment was recently revisited by Barjatya, who discussed the behind-the-scenes dynamics that led to Salman’s insistence on altering his role of Prem.
“Hum Saath Saath Hain,” a movie known for its ensemble cast and heartwarming family themes, featured Salman Khan in a relatively calm and understated role. According to Sooraj Barjatya, Salman felt that his character was too subtle for his liking and even suggested swapping roles with Saif Ali Khan, who played the lively and playful character Vinod. Salman believed that Saif’s role was more suited to his personal style and screen presence, which had, by that time, become synonymous with the dynamic and charismatic characters he portrayed in films like “Karan Arjun” and “Jeet.”
In a viral video clip, Barjatya recounts Salman’s words: “Salman bhai ka role bahut hi subtle tha… aur kayi baar Salman mujhe bolte the ki Saif ka role to mera style hai, mujhe ye kyun de rahe ho?” (Salman’s role was very subtle, and he often told me that Saif’s role was more his style, and asked why it wasn’t given to him).
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Despite Salman’s request, Sooraj Barjatya stood firm on his vision for the film. The director had a very specific character arc in mind for Prem, Salman’s character, which required a more restrained and soft-spoken performance. Barjatya believed that Salman had the ability to bring out the right nuance in this role, showcasing a different side of his acting prowess, and was unwilling to make the suggested switch.
The director also revealed that audiences initially expressed disappointment that Salman, the top star at the time, was not given a more energetic and attention-grabbing role. However, the actor’s father, Salim Khan, who is a veteran screenwriter in the film industry, provided a turning point in the conversation. After watching the film, Salim Khan remarked that Salman had the best role in the movie, reassuring both his son and the director that the decision to keep Salman in the role of Prem was the right one.
Sooraj Barjatya’s faith in Salman’s portrayal of Prem eventually paid off. The character became one of Salman Khan’s most iconic roles, earning him praise for his understated performance. Barjatya’s vision for the role of Prem fit perfectly into the film’s larger theme of familial love, duty, and unity. The movie went on to become a box-office success, solidifying Barjatya’s reputation as a director who understood the pulse of Indian family dramas and further strengthening Salman’s association with the “Prem” persona, a name he carried in several Rajshri Productions’ films.
Released under the banner of Rajshri Productions, “Hum Saath Saath Hain” boasted an ensemble cast, including Saif Ali Khan as Vinod, Karisma Kapoor as Sapna, Tabu as Sadhna, and Sonali Bendre as Preeti. Mohnish Bahl played the eldest brother, Vivek, and the film also featured veteran actors like Neelam, Reema Lagoo, Alok Nath, and Mahesh Thakur. The film is often regarded as a quintessential family drama, emphasizing traditional Indian values, the importance of family, and the strength of familial bonds.
Salman Khan’s portrayal of Prem, a role he had played in previous Rajshri films like “Maine Pyar Kiya” and “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!,” was marked by a different kind of charisma—one of calm leadership and quiet strength. This role showed a softer, more mature side of the actor, contrasting with the more action-driven and boisterous characters he was known for at the time.
“Hum Saath Saath Hain” was directed and written by Sooraj Barjatya, whose name had become synonymous with family-centric narratives in Indian cinema. His earlier works like “Maine Pyar Kiya” and “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!” had already established his place as a master storyteller in this genre, and “Hum Saath Saath Hain” followed in that tradition. The movie struck a chord with audiences, who appreciated its focus on family values, tradition, and moral integrity, further cementing Barjatya’s position as one of the leading filmmakers in the family drama space.
Barjatya is known for creating relatable, heartfelt narratives that resonate with audiences across generations, and “Hum Saath Saath Hain” was no exception. His films often showcase large joint families, relationships that are tested by external pressures, and the ultimate triumph of love and unity over misunderstandings and differences.
In retrospect, Salman Khan’s concerns about his character seem to have stemmed from his desire to ensure that his role aligned with the image that his fans had come to expect. However, his willingness to trust Sooraj Barjatya’s direction allowed him to deliver a performance that was both critically acclaimed and beloved by audiences. The collaboration between Barjatya and Salman, which began with “Maine Pyar Kiya” and continued through films like “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!” and “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,” has always been rooted in mutual respect and understanding of each other’s creative strengths.
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