Salman Khan’s resurfaced audition tape for Maine Pyar Kiya makes fans swoon: ‘Baby Salman was a cutie’

In a recent interview with Pinkvilla, Sooraj Barjatya said that Salman didn’t make the best first impression on him, when they were looking to cast a newcomer for Maine Pyar Kiya. He said, “First, we thought why would Salim Khan’s son would want to work with us, so I sent a message, and he came. And when he came, he wasn’t looking at all like… Bohot chhote se, bahar reception pe baithe (He was small, sitting at the reception)… I said, yeh kya hero aise (What kind of hero is this)… He gave me his photographs, and the photos were magical. And he came with the apprehension that ‘main toh mana kar dunga, mujhe dhoti wohti pehna denge (They’ll make me wear rustic outfits)’.” He continued, “Toh main suna raha hoon with apprehension, ke yeh bohot chhota sa… Height bhi chhoti thi unki (I was narrating the story to him apprehensively, thinking that he is such a short guy), and he’s thinking that he wants to turn it down.”

Sooraj and Salman reunited some years ago on the film Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. The filmmaker revealed that Salman showed interest in doing his recent film Uunchai, but was told to stand down because he wanted more vulnerable-looking actors to play the ageing characters in the film. Uunchai went on to become a sleeper hit, and made almost Rs 50 crore.