Before Maine Pyar Kiya made him a national heartthrob, Salman Khan had already debuted in the 1988 film Biwi Ho Toh Aisi. What’s even more astonishing is how he got there — without ever going for an audition, portfolio, or even mentioning his illustrious last name.
Director JK Bihari, who directed the family drama featuring Rekha and Farooq Sheikh, spoke about the time he saw Salman for the first time quite recently. Talking to Siddharth Kannan, Bihari remembered, “I was sitting in my garage and noticed a boy walking down the road towards me with a file in his hand. I just judged him by his walk that I am going to sign him.”
It was Salman Khan himself. He was then an obscure youth struggling to make his place in the movies. Bihari was impressed with Salman’s presence and demeanor so much so that he wasn’t interested in a screen test. “He came and discussed things with me and I agreed. He was surprised. He didn’t mention his father’s name.”. If he had done that, I may not have cast him, Bihari divulged.
Salman’s father, Salim Khan, was an established and well-known screenwriter in Bollywood, but Salman did not use that leverage. His humility and readiness to begin at the bottom left an indelible mark. Bihari explained that when he later found out about Salman’s identity, he worried that the actor would leave behind such a minor role. Salim Khan advised his son to persevere, saying, “You are a new director, he is also new.”
As a matter of fact, Salman was so keen to become an actor that he agreed to a strict three-film contract with the producer at a very small price. “Salman wanted a break, so he agreed to sign on the dotted line,” Bihari claimed, emphasizing the actor’s initial hunger and commitment to his work.
One year later, Salman’s life took a drastic turn with the coming of Maine Pyar Kiya, where he enacted the lead role and overnight became a sensation. From a random walk into a garage to becoming one of Indian cinema’s biggest stars, Salman’s career started with a moment of sheer destiny.
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Now, Salman is shooting Battle of Galwan and still hosting Bigg Boss 19. He recently grabbed the spotlight with a guest appearance in Aryan Khan’s first series, The Ba*ds of Bollywood.
