Salman Khan’s ‘age’ is the biggest ‘challenge’: Sooraj Barjatya reveals why their hotly-anticipated collaboration fell through

It’s hard to imagine Salman Khan’s journey to superstardom without the pivotal role filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya has played in shaping it. From Maine Pyaar Kiya to Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Barjatya has consistently helped craft a unique screen image for the actor: one rooted in soft masculinity, family values, and big heartedness. The “Prem” archetype, as seen in all of Barjatya’s films featuring Salman, stands as almost an anti-thesis to the dominant action-hero persona the actor is associated with today. While earlier reports suggested the duo were planning a new collaboration, possibly an action film, Barjatya has now confirmed that the project has been put on the back burner.

In a recent interview with PTI, the director explained: “There are some subjects that you take on but later you are not able to take it forward, or sometimes you are unable to crack the climax or get the kundali of the character in place, and if I’m unable to get the kundali of the character right, I’m unable to start a project. I’ve barely made seven films, but this is what I’ve decided to do, and till the time I don’t feel convinced about a story I won’t make it. So, I’m so happy that Salman Bhai is with me, and today to make something relevant and fresh for him at his age is a bigger challenge.”

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Barjatya also weighed in on Salman’s recent rough patch at the box office, with several of the actor’s recent films underperforming commercially. “I think it happens in everyone’s life, it is just that he is a celebrity, that’s why he gets so much attention. But everyone should be allowed to make a mistake, to learn because that is what his life is. We have to allow each other to (grow), we should not be so harsh. He is such a good person, he is so strong that he is going to come back in a very big way,” he said.

While a Salman-Sooraj reunion may not be happening anytime soon, both artists remain creatively active. Barjatya is currently working on his next directorial venture, a family drama reportedly starring Ayushmann Khurrana in the role of Prem, alongside Sharvari. Meanwhile, Salman Khan has begun filming Battle of Galwan, a much-anticipated war drama, and is also shooting for the next season of Bigg Boss.