The making of Prem

Recalling those days, Sooraj says, “We started our journey 27 years ago and at that time, Rajshri Productions was going through a low phase. My father asked me to write a love story and we put everything into this film. We felt we needed a fresh pair to play the leads. Thus, Salman was summoned. I still remember him sitting at the reception. At that time, heroes were broad built and tall. He looked nothing like that. I was thinking here he is, Salim saab’s son. He showed me his photographs and they said something different. I wish I still had them. We decided to hold a screen test. We have a few grabs of that screen test. For 27 years, I haven’t allowed anyone to see them.”

After the short clip was screened, Salman, who was also in the room, said, “This was rejected.” Sooraj explains, “He went on and on — there was no voice modulation but he looked nice. It was also my first film and I was looking for a new boy. At that time, he was doing a side role in Biwi Ho Toh Aisi. So I had my share of concerns about launching him.”

Over the next four months, Salman didn’t hear from Sooraj. Was confident of his audition? “I thought it was sure shot done. But when four months had passed without anything happening, I gave up hope and started meeting other people.”

Sooraj mentioned that over the next few months Salman would keep recommending prospective candidates for the role of Prem. “Finally, just to make it clear to him, I visited him on the sets of BHTA to tell him that he isn’t getting the part. He didn’t seem to mind and continued to suggest other boys for the part. That made me stop and think. When I stepped outside, I had made up my mind that my hero will be Salman Khan. And what made that happen was not the actor, but the man. Even now it is the man who wins, and not the actor.”

Later, Sooraj showed Salman’s second round of auditions where the latter had a new haircut, saying: “This clip made us aware that he is actually a superstar.”