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Salman Khan has fueled fresh speculation about his comeback as the career-defining character Prem after a remark on Bigg Boss 20 Weekend Ka Vaar on October
4. Actors Veer Pahariya and Nikhil Vijay appeared as guests in the episode to promote Prem Keetanu, sparking a conversation about Salman's long association with the iconic screen name. The superstar said that over the years, several films have been made with Prem, and many more will follow. He hasn't announced a new project, but fans are wondering if the statement is a hint at another collaboration with filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya, who gave Hindi cinema one of its most loved romantic heroes, and Prem as a character to Salman in films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Hum Saath-Saath Hain and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.
Salman Khan's remark on Prem gets fans talking
Salman's comment came as Veer Pahariya and Nikhil Vijay appeared on the Bigg Boss 20 weekend episode to promote their film Prem Keetanu. Talking about the name Prem and its association with Hindi films, Salman reportedly said, "Films were made with my character's name Prem. After Maine Pyar Kiya, many more Prem happened, my filmy name, which was, and still is. More movies will follow."
The comment was enough to have fans wondering if the actor was teasing a new movie with his signature character. With Salman's long association with Prem and his successful pairing with Sooraj Barjatya, another reunion has been naturally in the air for a long time. Salman, however, did not officially confirm a new movie reprising his role as Prem during the episode. The said comeback is more of a speculation until an announcement comes from the actor, Barjatya or the production house.
Salman Khan hints at a reunion with Sooraj Barjatya?
For Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya fans, the idea of another Prem film is loaded with nostalgia. The actor-director duo helped shape the romantic family-drama genre with films that combined romance, music, humour and traditional family values. The duo first collaborated in 1989's Maine Pyar Kiya, which was a breakthrough film for Salman as a leading man. They later reunited for Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Hum Saath-Saath Hain and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo.
Barjatya has spoken of Prem's significance to Salman's on-screen persona, and the actor himself has acknowledged the character's role in helping audiences accept him as a star. The last collaboration between the filmmaker and the actor was Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, which was released in 2015 after a gap of 16 years.
Salman Khan's Prem defined his career
Prem does not just reappear as a name in Salman's filmography. The part solidified his image as a romantic hero and turned out to be a landmark role in his journey from a promising newcomer to one of the biggest stars of Hindi cinema. Maine Pyar Kiya was a success, and that was a big thing because it was a breakthrough role that audiences could relate to emotionally. The later success of Hum Aapke Hain Koun strengthened that appeal. Hum Saath-Saath Hain continued his association with family entertainers.
Prem gave Salman a screen identity that audiences of different generations could relate to. He was warm and playful, a respecter of women and profoundly loyal to those he loved. This image cemented Salman's position as a leading man at a time when romantic heroes were the backbone of Hindi cinema.
The actor also spoke about how Barjatya's writing influenced the character. In an earlier interview, Salman had said, Maine Pyar Kiya was very special for him, and he became accepted as Salman Khan because of the Prem that Barjatya had written for him.
There have been rumours of another collaboration in recent years, but Salman's latest comment on Bigg Boss 20 doesn't, on its own, prove that a new film is in the pipeline. Fans will be waiting for a clearer update from the pair.
