Sooraj Barjatya reveals why he chose Shahid Kapoor for Vivah, says, “I knew Salman Khan wouldn’t fit here because”

Sooraj Barjatya’s is a prolific filmmaker and his family dramas continue to rule hearts even today. From Hum Aapke Hai Koun, Hum Saath Saath Hai to Maine Pyaar Kiya, his films are vividly remembered by the audience. As his upcoming series Bada Naam Karega is about to release, the filmmaker is taking a trip down memory lane and talking about his iconic movies. During a recent chat, he recalls why he chose to cast Shahid Kapoor instead of Salman Khan in Vivah.

Sooraj Barjatya on not casting Salman Khan for Vivah

In a chat with Digital Commentary, Sooraj Barjatya said, “After Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon flopped, Salman called and said ‘Let’s work on something’. But at that time, I didn’t have a story for Salman and this (Vivah) was a story that my father had given me.” Sooraj had decided early in his career that he “will not compromise. He added, “When I decided I wanted to make this, I knew Salman wouldn’t fit here because he was a major star… Isme bholapan chahiye, umar chahiye aur umar toh kisiki rukegi nahi. Toh fir yeh Shahid aur Amrita ki casting hui (This needed innocence and age, and age doesn’t stop for anyone. That’s how I cast Shahid and Amrita).”

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Sooraj further shares how quality matters to him when it comes to projects. He shared, “Uss tarah se dekhu toh main bohot hi selfish aadmi hu because nothing is more important than me being a writer and director. Chaahe Maine Pyaar Kiya ho, Hum Aapke Hain Koun ho… toh humesha woh subject ne pukara nahi toh ek ek ko 5 saal kyu liya maine? Humesha subject khud bolta hain hume ye banana hain (If I look at it like that, I am selfish with my own work. Be it any of my previous films, it was always the subject matter which calls me first, or else why would I take 5 years for a film? It is always the subject matter).”

On the work front, Sooraj Barjatya’s next venture is Prem Ki Shaadi. Earlier, Salman was supposed to reprise the role of Prem. However reports are rife that Ayushmann Khurrana will now play the role.

Also Read: Sara Ali Khan or Triptii Dimri? The race to star in Sooraj Barjatya’s film opposite Ayushmann Khurrana intensifies