Sooraj Barjatya reveals being ‘uncomfortable’ casting Madhuri Dixit as Salman Khan’s bhabhi in Hum Saath Saath Hain, here’s what happened

Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Saath Saath Hain was a big hit when it released in 1999 and continues to be a popular film on satellite television. The film featured an ensemble cast including Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Mohnish Bahl, Karisma Kapoor, Sonali Bendre and Tabu. However, did you know Madhuri Dixit was also shortlisted to play Salman Khan’s Bhabhi in Hum Saath Saath Hain? Director Sooraj Barjatya reveals why he was uncomfortable casting her for the film.

Sooraj Barjatya on not casting Madhuri Dixit for Hum Saath Saath Hain

Tabu’s role was earlier offered to Madhuri Dixit in Hum Saath Saath Hain. However filmmaker Sooraj was hesitant to cast her. He reveals, , “I told her ‘Madhuri, I am making a male dominated picture and if I cast you opposite Salman, then it is a very small role for you. And if I cast you opposite Mohnish Bahl, then you will be playing bhabhi to Salman Khan. She is such a lovely lady, she said ‘it doesn’t matter, it is a joy to work together’. But then I said I will not be comfortable.”

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Madhuri and Salman had become a successful on-screen pair after the stellar box office success of Hum Aapke Hain Koun. Sooraj wanted to cast an actress who did not have a previous association with Salman. “The whole debate was that Salman is a star so I had to cast someone who would be accepted as a bhabhi I so we cast Tabu, because Tabu came without any image,” he said.

It was during the shoot of this film in Rajasthan that Salman, along with a few other cast members, was accused of hunting blackbucks. Interestingly, Salman Khan has been the centre of many of Sooraj Barjatya’s memorable projects like Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Maine Pyaar Kiya among many others.

Also Read: Did you know Madhuri Dixit was called a ‘jinxed’ actor when she starred in Dil with Aamir Khan? Director Indra Kumar spill the beans