"Maine Pyar Kiya," the 1989 Bollywood blockbuster that catapulted Salman Khan to superstardom, could have starred a different actor in the lead role. While Salman Khan became synonymous with the character Prem, several other actors were considered before he was cast.

One of the initial choices for the role was Faraaz Khan, son of Bollywood actor Yusuf Khan. According to reports, Faraaz was signed for the film but had to drop out due to health problems. Sadly, Faraaz Khan passed away in 2020, and Salman Khan had offered him financial assistance during his illness.

Another actor considered for the role of Prem was Vindu Dara Singh, son of the famous wrestler and actor Dara Singh. While Vindu Dara Singh did not ultimately get the part, he has had a successful career in television and film.

Piyush Mishra, now a well-known actor, singer, lyricist, playwright, musician, and screenwriter, was also considered for the lead in "Maine Pyar Kiya". He was a student at the Film & Television Institute of India when Rajshri Films considered him. In an interview, Mishra mentioned that he doesn't think he could have handled the success at the time, and it was good that he didn't get the role.

Interestingly, Upasana Singh, a popular actress and comedian, revealed that she was the first choice to star opposite Salman Khan in "Maine Pyar Kiya". However, she was not selected because she was taller than Salman Khan. The filmmakers were looking for someone shorter to play Suman. Upasana Singh later worked with Rajshri Productions in the 2003 film, "Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon". Raj Kumar Barjatya revealed on set that Upasana was their initial choice for "Maine Pyar Kiya," a revelation that surprised many.

"Maine Pyar Kiya" marked Sooraj Barjatya's directorial debut and Bhagyashree's first Bollywood film. The film was a commercial success, with memorable songs and dialogues that remain popular. The movie's success cemented Salman Khan's position as a leading actor in Bollywood.