Salman Khan, one of Bollywood’s most beloved actors, emerged as a prominent figure in the industry during the 1990s. His career took off with the 1988 film “Biwi Ho To Aisi,” and he quickly became a household name, delivering blockbuster hits one after another. However, there was a time when he faced a peculiar situation with a director who seemed to sign him for multiple projects but never actually completed any films.
The Director Who Signed Salman Khan
Film director and cinematographer Lawrence D’Souza recently reminisced about his experiences with Salman Khan during the early stages of his acting career. During an interview with Friday Talkies, Lawrence shared his emotional recollections of how director S. Ramnathan signed Salman for a film with an initial signing amount of just 5,000 rupees, only for the film never to materialize. This became a pattern until Salman emerged as a major star in his own right. Eventually, Salman found it perplexing that the makers were signing him but not producing the films.
Signing with Minimal Investment
Lawrence D’Souza revealed that during a special screening of “Maine Pyar Kiya” at Rajshri Productions, he, S. Ramnathan, and their colleague from Prayag Raj decided to approach Salman Khan urgently. After watching the film, Ramnathan insisted they should sign Salman. Lawrence recounted, “We gave Salman a signing amount of 5,000 rupees, but Ramnathan didn’t initiate the project afterward.” This left Salman surprised, contributing to the unusual relationship between the director and actor.
Understanding S. Ramnathan
S. Ramnathan is known for directing films like “Bombay to Goa” (1972) and “Mahan” (1983). After missing the opportunity to direct Salman for the first time, Ramnathan later approached him again after Salman starred in another major hit, this time offering him a signing amount of 500,000 rupees. However, just like before, the film was never developed. Salman humorously questioned Lawrence, “What kind of person is he? He pays me but doesn’t do anything!”
High Earnings from ‘Saajan’
Lawrence discussed his successful film “Saajan,” which released in 1991 featuring Salman Khan alongside Madhuri Dixit and Sanjay Dutt. For this film, Salman and Madhuri were each paid 1.1 million rupees, while Sanjay received 1.2 million rupees. Lawrence himself earned 800,000 rupees from the project, reflecting the film’s massive success and appeal.
Advice from Salman Khan
Reflecting on his interactions with Salman during the 1980s and 1990s, Lawrence noted that the film industry was not particularly lucrative at that time. He mentioned how Salman advised him to aim higher in his career. “After making ‘Saajan,’ Salman told me, ‘Now don’t just settle for this. You need to do even better,’” Lawrence recalled. Although Lawrence had a desire to help others in the industry, including those who were struggling, his emotional nature often prevented him from capitalizing fully on his potential income.
‘Saajan’ – A Box Office Hit
“Saajan” is celebrated as a classic romantic triangle narrative. Its soundtrack became immensely popular, and the film portrayed the story of Salman’s character sacrificing his love for the happiness of his best friend. The film also featured renowned actors like Kader Khan, Reema Lagoo, and Lakshmikant Berde, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 1991.
