OF FIRST LOVE, DOSTI AND FAMILY

Maine Pyar Kiya can easily be called the handbook for many young lovers in their growing up years. As the 1989 film clocks 30 years, we find out some quirky tidbits about this iconic love story that remains relevant even in today’s times! Check out...

1 2

It was the beginning of Salman Khan as Prem.

The film marked Sooraj Barjatya’s debut as a director.

3

This was also the first of the many collaborations between Salman and Barjatya and they followed it up with Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999) and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015).

4

Before being finalised for Maine Pyar Kiya as Suman, Bhagyashree was seen in Amol Palekar’s TV serial Kachchi Dhoop.

5

Soon after the success of the film, Bhagyashree received several film offers. But, she refused to work furthermore and decided to become a homemaker.

6

The costumes and props used in Maine Pyar Kiya became so popular that they went on sale as merchandise – for instance the cap that read

‘FRIEND’.

7

The salwar suit worn by Bhagyashree’s character for the superhit song Kabootar Jaa Jaa was a rage among girls.

8

Salman instantly became the heartthrob of the nation and girls went crazy for him. After all, it was the first time the actor went shirtless on screen.

The film marked the beginning of Alok Nath as the adarsh Babuji. He played Suman’s poor, honest father in the film.

Actor Reema Lagoo was in her 30s when she played Salman’s onscreen mother and she was the perfect definition of a modern-day mum, who supported her son in his quest to win over his girlfriend despite facing opposition from others.

Salman’s black leather jacket with patches became a style statement. Barjatya was inspired by Tom Cruise’s Top Gun jacket and he designed it for Salman based on the same.

The film features a nine-minute long antakshari segment, which had a mashup of old Bollywood songs. Thanks to Maine Pyar Kiya, Indian families got their favourite pastime.

Bhagyashree eloped and got married to boyfriend Himalaya Dasani before the release of Maine Pyar Kiya. The small wedding ceremony at a temple was attended by Dasani’s parents, Salman, Barjatya and a few close pals.

Singers Lata Mangeshkar and SP Balasubramaniam made for an excellent vocal duo in the film’s music, whether it was in their respective solos — Dil Deewana — or in the upbeat lovable duets, Aaja Shaam Hone Aaye and Aate Jaate Hanste Gaate.

Lata Mangeshkar had to record all her songs in one day as she was to go abroad for her concert tour.

The song Mere Rang Mein was “inspired” from Swedish rock band Europe’s song The Final Countdown and the theme of 1970 film, Love Story. Even the title track Aate Jaate was very similar to Stevie Wonder’s I Just Called To Say I Love You. Aaya Mausam Dosti Ka was reportedly lifted from Tarzan Boy by Baltimora.

According to reports, Bhagyashree had refused to do the kissing scene, and hence Barjatya came up with the idea of using a glass wall between her and Salman.

Pervin Dastur gave a memorable performance as the curlyhaired Seema, who tries every trick in the book to get Prem to marry her. She only appeared in one other film, Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein in 1997.

Maine Pyar Kiya went on to become the biggest blockbuster that year, won numerous awards, and made Salman the ultimate star.

Interestingly, Salman and Mohnish Bahl had auditioned for the film together. While Salman bagged the lead role, Mohnish was seen in a negative role in Maine Pyar Kiya. The two played onscreen brothers in Hum Aapke Hai Koun and Hum Saath Saath Hain. This year, Salman also launched

Mohnish’s daughter Pranutan in his production.

Actor Nutan wasn’t very happy with her son, Mohnish, playing the role of the villain in the film. She reportedly had even asked the makers if they could cast him in a different role, since he had done positive roles before the film. The makers, however, assured Nutan that Mohnish’s role will be remembered for a long time.

The film marked the debut of Marathi actor Laxmikant Berde in Bollywood, who played Manohar bhaiya. He went on to become one of the best comedians of the ’90s starring in films such as Mere Sapno Ki Rani, Aarzoo, Saajan, Beta, 100 Days and Anari. He died in 2004.

The white pigeon named ‘Handsome’ played cupid between Prem and Suman, delivering his love letters to her in the song Kabootar Jaa Jaa.

Salman revealed in an interview that he was paid ₹31,000 for the film, which later was raised to ₹75,000.

Dosti Diaries: Maine Pyar Kiya had several friendship dialogues that are still popular today.

Before Salman, Vindoo Dara Singh, Piyush Mishra, Deepak Tijori and Bengali actor Prosenjit were also considered to play the male lead.

Model Shabana Dutt was first auditioned for the lead role (female) but she didn’t make the cut. She had worked with Salman in a TV ad and hence, she referred him for the main role.

Salman got no film offers for one year after Maine Pyar Kiya released.

Actor Dilip Joshi, who is famous for playing Jethalal in Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah, was also a part of the film.

The film was dubbed in English and titled – When Love Calls. It was the biggest hit in the Caribbean market at Guyana. It also dominated the box-office collections at Trinidad and Tobago. Maine Pyar Kiya was also dubbed in Spanish and was titled Te Amo.

DOSTI KI HAI NIBHANI TOH PADEGI HI... EK LADKA LADKI KABHI DOST NAHIN HO SAKTE DOSTI KA EK USOOL HAI... NO SORRY, NO THANK YOU