It has been 36 years since Salman Khan and Bhagyashree lit up the silver screen with the timeless romantic drama Maine Pyar Kiya. The Sooraj Barjatya directorial did not just redefine romance for an entire
generation, it also turned into the biggest blockbuster of both stars’ careers. Yet, in a twist that sounds straight out of a film script, Salman Khan found himself without work for almost a year after the mega success.
Industry insiders recall that despite the deafening box-office roar, producers simply did not come knocking. The actor, then still new to the industry, waited months for the phone to ring. Finally, it was his father, veteran writer Salim Khan, who decided to step in with an unconventional rescue plan.
A magazine suddenly carried an “exclusive” report claiming that Salman had been signed for several big-ticket films. The story, published strategically, was fake, but it worked. Offers began pouring in, and Salman’s career graph changed overnight.
Interestingly, Salman was not even the first choice for Maine Pyar Kiya. Actors Deepak Tijori and Vindu Dara Singh were reportedly approached earlier, but scheduling conflicts paved the way for the then-newcomer to bag his first solo-hero role with a major banner. Despite the dream break, Salman has admitted he often felt ignored on set, even simple courtesies like someone pulling out a chair for him were missing. He once confided in co-star Mohnish Bahl about feeling disrespected.
When the film finally released, Yash Chopra’s Chandni had already been ruling theatres for 25 weeks. Both Salman and Mohnish were anxious, if their film would survive the competition. What followed was nothing short of a box-office storm.
Crowds thronged cinemas, coins were tossed at screens, and the film joined the list of all-time blockbusters. Curiously, the frenetic admiration did not immediately translate into more work for the young actor. That infamous “planted” magazine article changed the tide, and by Salman’s own admission, he was soon flooded with projects.
Before Maine Pyar Kiya, Salman had appeared in Biwi Ho To Aisi in a supporting role. The Barjatya film marked his first outing as a leading man, one that not only cemented his place in Bollywood history but also turned into a story of struggle, uncertainty, and a father’s desperate attempt to protect his son’s future.
