In a surprising turn of events, Bollywood megastar Salman Khan's entry into the film industry wasn't a planned affair, but rather a serendipitous moment that occurred when he walked into a garage. Director JK Bihari, in a recent interview, recounted the incident that led to casting Khan in his debut film, "Biwi Ho Toh Aisi" (1988).
Bihari revealed that he was searching for a young man to play Farooq Sheikh's younger brother in the film. While sitting in his garage, he noticed a young Salman Khan walking towards his office with a file in hand. Impressed by Khan's demeanor and gait, Bihari decided to cast him on the spot, without even conducting an audition. "I was sitting in my garage and I saw a boy walking across the road towards me with a file in his hand. I decided just by looking at his walk that I am going to sign him," Bihari said.
Khan, who was relatively unknown at the time, couldn't believe his luck when Bihari immediately offered him the role. "He came and talked to me and I said yes. He couldn't believe it," Bihari recalled. Interestingly, Khan didn't reveal that he was the son of Salim Khan, a well-known writer in Bollywood. Bihari admitted that had he known about Khan's lineage, he might not have cast him in the role, as it was a relatively small part for the son of such a prominent figure. "He didn't take his father's name. Had he done that, I might have not cast him," Bihari said. He added, "Salim Khan was such a big writer and the role was quite small. It wasn't a hero's role".
Khan's debut role in "Biwi Ho Toh Aisi" was a supporting one, with Rekha and Farooq Sheikh in the lead. Despite the small role, Khan was eager to seize the opportunity. Bihari mentioned that Khan even signed a three-film contract with the producers for a minimal amount, showcasing his keenness to work in the industry. "Salman wanted a break so he was ready to sign anything. So my producer did a three film contract with him at a very low amount," Bihari explained.
Bihari later learned about Khan's connection to Salim Khan. He was concerned that Khan might refuse the role, but that didn't happen. "I learnt later that he is Salim Khan's son. He called me over to meet him. I thought that now that he knows the role, he might refuse it. But he didn't do that. Salim Khan said you are a new director, he is also new," Bihari recounted.
Following "Biwi Ho Toh Aisi," Khan gained widespread recognition with his lead role in Sooraj Barjatya's "Maine Pyar Kiya" (1989). This film catapulted him to stardom, and he went on to become one of the most successful and popular actors in Bollywood.
According to Bihari, during the filming of "Biwi Ho Toh Aisi", Khan was very dedicated, and Rekha even helped him with his lines.
The story of how Salman Khan landed his first role serves as an inspiring example of how chance encounters and a strong desire to succeed can pave the way for extraordinary achievements.
