EXCLUSIVE: Sooraj Barjatya talks about his bond with Salman Khan since Maine Pyar Kiya days; says, “We are both alike”

In this exclusive chat with Bollywood Hungama, Sooraj Barjatya discusses his two decade-long friendship with Salman Khan and recalls Maine Pyaar Kiya days.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

November 5, 2022 - 12:00 PM IST

Coming from the house of Rajshri Productions is one-of-a-kind film Uunchai that talks about four friends who share an unbreakable bond even at the age of 60. While we all know that Rajshri Productions is known for his family style cinema with a hint of romance, fans are quite surprised and excited for the forthcoming Amitabh Bachchan starrer. But before the film hits theatres, we at Bollywood Hungama decided to take the filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya to his debuting days and his friendship with the Maine Pyar Kiya actor Salman Khan.

EXCLUSIVE: Sooraj Barjatya talks about his bond with Salman Khan since Maine Pyar Kiya days; says, “We are both alike”

Sooraj Barjatya and Salman Khan share a friendship that has lasted for over two decades. Speaking exclusively to Bollywood Hungama, Sooraj Barjatya explained the secret behind their bond. He said, “21 saal ke age mein hum dono mile, pehla haircut karaya uska, pehla screen test hua, woh apprehensions humne saath mein guzare, career ka kya hoga yeh bhi saath mein socha, hum jo heroine chahte the, she refused to work with a new director and new actor, pehli baar Metro mein show, pehli baar woh mob hue. Toh jab start saath mein karte hain na, woh rishtey toot the nahi hai. (We met at the age of 21. He had his first haircut with me, his first few screen tests, his apprehensions about his first film, his career, we have had so many memories together. We were worried about our careers at that age. One of the heroines we wanted didn’t sign the film because she didn’t want to work with a new director and new actor. Then the first time we saw the show at Metro, the first time he got mobbed. Relations that start together often don’t end that easily.) Kabhi kabhi I feel like we have gone to school together because that’s how long it has been.”

He went on to add, “Somewhere we are both alike. We both have elders in our family, we both have great respect for our parents, and at heart, he (Salman) is a very family person.”

Followed by their discussion on their friendship, the filmmaker also recalled their initial days when they were quite concerned about their career. Their journey traces back to the 90s when they made one of the biggest blockbusters of Hindi cinema, the iconic movie Maine Pyar Kiya featuring Salman Khan and Bhagyashree in the lead. Recalling those days, he shared, “When we were started Maine Pyar Kiya, Rajshri (Productions) as a company wasn’t doing that well because VHS had started. Whatever, we were doing as a family, it was really easily accessible for people at their homes. Maine Pyar Kiya was made amidst that scenario and it was one of the costliest films of those times. Of course, we went all out!”

He also shared a memory adding, “I remember we were shooting the song ‘Dil Deewana’ in Ooty and there was a shot where we were shooting in a valley and it had a depth of about 1000 ft. I asked Salman Bhai if he would run and he immediately agreed. But, I decided I will run fast, because if something were to happen, it will happen to the director but at least the film will be complete. It was a really small pavement. So, first I ran and then Salman Bhai ran. But today, we cannot imagine a scenario like that. What if something were to happen or someone were to fall! At the end of the day, it was just a small pavement atop a 1000 ft above the ground. It was more of madness.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Sooraj Barjatya on how his kind of filmmaking is relevant in today’s times – “Values of families remain the same, even if they’re not a joint one”