EXCLUSIVE: Sooraj Barjatya credits Salman Khan for making Prem’s character a household name; reveals the story how the name was coined

Sooraj Barjatya made his directorial debut with Maine Pyar Kiya (1989). His next release, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), became the highest-grossing Indian film. His family dramas Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999), Vivah (2006), and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) are the most favourite. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Sooraj Barjatya reveals why and how Prem became an important character for Rajshri Productions.

Sooraj Barjatya on Prem being an important character for Rajshri Productions

Talking about how the character ‘Prem’ plays an important role for Rajshri Productions, Sooraj Barjatya said, “The name Prem came by chance. The opportunity arose because we had already written the script for Maine Pyar Kiya. We were thinking about the hero’s name. Initially, we had some other names, but I wasn’t clear about it. I don’t even remember what those names were; it’s a very old memory. But at that time, Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye was the biggest hit movie nationally from Rajshri Productions. And in that film, the hero’s name was Prem.”

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He added, “So, my father suggested, ‘Let’s keep the name Prem. Maybe with that name, our film will do well too.’ That’s how it started. But honestly, the value of the name Prem is largely due to Salman bhai. Because of Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Saath-Saath Hain, the character of Prem became so iconic. I always write the scenes in a straightforward manner. And then go to him, and he adds his own touch to it, whether you call it naughtiness or his own flavour. The image of the ‘family boy’ who has never seen sorrow, never faced death, always full of love—that image was created through our collaboration. And I think that’s what made it unique.”

Watch the full interview

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: DYK, Shah Rukh Khan was the first choice to play Saif Ali Khan’s Vinod in Hum Saath Saath Hai? Sooraj Barjatya spills the beans