When Salman Khan recalled his struggle after Maine Pyar Kiya’s success: ‘I had no work, a devta-saman aadmi entered my life’

Salman Khan in his initial days in the industry. (Photo: Express Archive)

It was last year at IIFA 2022 when Salman Khan was seen in tears as he recalled the struggle after his debut film Maine Pyar Kiya. The actor didn’t have money and credited filmmaker Ramesh Taurani for saving his career and said Bhagyashree got all the credit for the film’s success.

A still from Maine Pyar Kiya sets. (Photo: Express Archive)

“After Maine Pyar Kiya was released, Bhagyashree decided she didn’t want to work anymore, because she wanted to get married. Aur wo pura credit leke chali gayi (she took all the credit). For six months, I had no movie. And that’s when a ‘devta saman aadmi’ (God-like man), Ramesh Taurani, entered my life. My father at that point of time paid Rs 2000 and coaxed producer GP Sippy to make a fake announcement in a film industry magazine that he had signed me for a film. GP did that but there was no picture. But Ramesh Taurani went to Sippy’s office and paid Rs 5 lakh for the music of the film. It was because of those Rs 5 lakhs that I finally got a film called Patthar Ke Phool (1991). Thank you!”

Salman Khan’s old photo with his family. (Photo: Express Archive)

Salman Khan, at the same event, also mentioned how Suniel Shetty gifted him a shirt and a wallet that he had been eyeing for a long time. As he didn’t have money to buy it, Shetty gifted him one. He hugged Ahan Shetty while remembering his struggle days.

Salman Khan and Suniel Shetty in an old photo. (Photo: Express Archive)

Salman Khan had also thanked Boney Kapoor and credited him for reviving his career with Wanted (2008). “Boney Kapoor has helped me throughout my life. When the time wasn’t going good then he gave me a film called Wanted, which got me back to work.”

Salman Khan celebrated his 35 memorable years in the film industry this year. But do you know Salman’s salary for his 1st Bollywood film?

An old photo of Salman Khan. (Photo: Express Archive)

Salman, one of the richest and highest-paid stars in the Indian entertainment industry was first seen in the 1988 film Biwi Ho To Aisi. The film had Rekha, Farooq Sheikh, and Bindu in the lead roles, while Salman Khan played a small role in the film and was paid Rs. 11,000 for the same.

Salman’s debut as an actor was with the blockbuster, Sooraj Barjatya’s directorial, Maine Pyar Kiya in 1989. He reportedly earned Rs 75,000 for that film.