26 years of Maine Pyar Kiya: 10 Hidden facts about Salman Khan's first blockbuster

New Delhi: Bollywood actor Salman Khan is a heartthrob of millions. Although the actor has turned 50 but he still has the same charm he had in ‘Maine Pyar Kiya' 26 years ago.

Yes! It has been 26 years since ‘Maine Pyar Kiya' was released making Salman a star.

Helmed by Sooraj Barjatya, the film was not just an important film for the lead couple Salman and Bhagyashree, but also marked the directorial debut of Barjatya.

‘Maine Pyar Kiya' became a blockbuster hit and is well remembered by the fans for several reasons – be it for its music, Salman Khan's introduction as Prem or the adorable chemistry between Salman and Bhagyashree.

While Salman Khan stole hearts, ‘Maine Pyar Kiya' ruled the box office at that time.

And today as this epic movie crosses another milestone, we bring to you 10 interesting facts about ‘Maine Pyar Kiya' which you must not be aware of:

1. Bollywood actor Salman Khan didn't debut with ‘Maine Pyar Kiya'. Infact his first movie was ‘Biwi Ho Toh Aisi' starring Farooq Sheikh, Rekha, Bindu and Kader Khan. Salman was seen in the supporting role in the movie. But a lead in this Sooraj Barjatya film gave Salman a huge fan base.

2. Interestingly, Salman Khan was not the first choice for ‘Prem' in ‘Maine Pyar Kiya'.  Several newcomers had auditioned for the role, including Vindoo Dara Singh, Deepak Tijori and Faraaz Khan. While Faraaz Khan, who played the villainous Zabisco in ‘Amar Akbar Anthony', was almost finalised for the role, but was replaced in the last minute due to health issues.

3. Although, Salman Khan turned out to be an overnight star with ‘Maine Pyar Kiya', but the actor was jobless for almost a year after the movie. Infact, Salman, in an interview to Rajat Sharma on Aap Ki Adaalat, had revealed that after months of waiting when he was still not getting any film offers, his father Salim Khan published an advertisement in a trade magazine that the good looking actor was signed by a big producer. It was after this advertisement that film offers started pouring in for Salman.

4. The two newcomers of that time – Salman Khan and Mohnish Bahl had given the auditions for ‘Maine Pyar Kiya' together. While Salman grabbed the lead role, Mohnish ended up playing the villain in the blockbuster movie. The two actors also shared the screen space in another Barjatya projects – ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun' and ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain' – where Salman and Mohnish were brothers.

5. Mohnish Bahl's mother and veteran actress Nutan was not happy with her son doing a negative role. Infact, she had also asked Barjatya if Mohnish could fit into any other role, but the makers assured her that his character will be remembered for a long time to come. And as history would have it, ‘Maine Pyar Kiya' did wonders for Mohnish.

6. Sooraj Barjatya's ‘Maine Pyar Kiya' marked the debut of Marathi actor Laxmikanth Berde in Bollywood. While the success of the movie turned out to be a boon for all the entire cast, Laxmikanth went on to become one of the best comedians of '90s.

7. Many of the film's cast went on to become Barjatya regulars, appearing in at least one more Barjatya film - Alok Nath, Reema Lagoo, Ajit Vachani, Rajeev Verma, Mohnish Bahl, Laxmikanth Berde and, of course, Salman himself.

8. Before being finalised for ‘Maine Pyar Kiya', Bhagyashree was seen in Amol Palekar's TV serial ‘Kachchi Dhoop'.

9. Before Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol starrer ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge' hit the theatres in 1995, it was ‘Maine Pyar Kiya' which held the record for the maximum Filmfare Awards. It had won seven awards out of 13 nominations. While DDLJ broke the record by winning 10 awards, at present the record is held by Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ‘Black' with 11 awards.

10. Costumes and props used in the films became so popular that they went on sale as merchandise - like the cap that read 'FRIEND.'