The Prem Ratan Dhan Payo director was not very impressed with Salman Khan’s first audition for his iconic debut….
When a lean and absolutely raw Salman Khan arrived at Sooraj Barjatya’s office for the first time, the master director was far from impressed. In Sooraj’s own words, Salman looked ‘small’ to him. But it is his portfolio pictures that impressed him.
Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya jodi is iconic for many reasons. Together, they have spun magic on screen with films like Maine Pyaar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Hum Saath Saath Hai to now, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. But did you know that Salman was actually not Sooraj’s first choice for the classic portrayal of Prem. The director thought that the actor was too petite for him and was too raw.
The PRDP director told a daily, “When he first came to my office, I remember he was sitting at the reception and he looked very small and I was thinking, ‘So he is Salim saab’s son. And then he came and sat in front if me and showed me his photographs. Those photographs spoke a different story. Those eyes, jawline… it was world apart. And then we decided to do a screen test with him.”
But Sooraj was far from impressed with Salman’s acting chops and promptly started looking for another actor to fit into the role. Salman was extremely courteous with Sooraj even after his rejection and took it remarkably well. In fact, he would suggest Sooraj names of other actors for Prem. That did the trick, reveals Sooraj. The director was hunting for his hero for about four months till he made his final decision.
He decided to give Salman another shot and took one more audition. Incidently, Sooraj visited Salman on the sets of ‘Biwi Ho Toh Aisi’. Salman, not in his wildest dreams thought that he would get the role. Instead, he began suggesting him names of other actors. That was when Sooraj decided that he has finally found his Prem. The duo hugged and finalised on project!
This is a truly awe-worthy anecdote, don’t you think?