Latest news with #Auzaar
Time of India
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Did you know before Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan was almost Lord Ram? Romance between Sohail Khan-Pooja Bhatt led to mythological epic being shelved
In the early 1990s, Sohail Khan envisioned a grand Bollywood Ramayana with Salman Khan as Lord Ram and Sonali Bendre as Sita. However, an on-set romance between Sohail and Pooja Bhatt, coupled with family disapproval, led to Pooja's exit. Consequently, the ambitious project was shelved, dashing hopes for a landmark mythological film. As excitement builds around Nitesh Tiwari 's upcoming Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Yash, few remember that Bollywood almost brought the epic to life decades ago—with Salman Khan in the lead. Long before this modern retelling, a grand version of the Ramayana was set in motion by Sohail Khan in the early 1990s. But just as the film was gaining momentum, an unexpected off-screen romance—and a family rift—led to its sudden collapse. Sohail Khan's Mythological Dream According to story published in back in the early 1990s, Sohail—fresh off his directorial debut Auzaar—was gearing up for his next ambitious project: a Bollywood adaptation of the Ramayana. He had envisioned a grand scale and an impressive cast, with his brother Salman Khan set to play 'Lord Ram' and Sonali Bendre cast as 'Goddess Sita'. At the time, Salman was already emerging as one of Bollywood's biggest stars, making the project all the more high-profile. Pooja Bhatt Joins the Cast Pooja Bhatt was also onboard for the ambitious project, which had already completed nearly 40percent of its shoot. Salman Khan had even begun early promotions, donning traditional attire with a bow and arrow, sparking excitement among fans for his portrayal of Lord Ram. With strong initial buzz and a star-studded cast, the film was shaping up to be a grand mythological spectacle — until fate intervened and brought it to an unexpected halt. Romance on Set Derails the Film Preparations were progressing smoothly when an unexpected twist disrupted the film's trajectory. According to a report in Mid-Day and Sohail and Pooja developed a romantic relationship during the shoot of Ramayana. Their bond quickly deepened, and by 1995, Pooja had even spoken openly about the possibility of marriage—adding an off-screen complication that would soon impact the fate of the film. However, things took a turn when Salim Khan , the patriarch of the Khan family, reportedly disapproved of Sohail and Pooja's growing relationship. Concerned about potential complications, he is said to have advised Sohail to call it off. The resulting fallout not only ended the romance but also derailed the ambitious Ramayana project—bringing Salman and Sohail's mythological dream to an abrupt halt. Project Shelved After Pooja Bhatt's Exit Pooja was reportedly deeply hurt by the Khan family's cold stance, and tensions quickly escalated. She exited the project, and soon after, the ambitious film began to crumble. Despite Salman Khan's efforts to keep it afloat, nothing could save the production. The project was ultimately shelved indefinitely—bringing an end to what could have been a landmark mythological film featuring Salman Khan as Lord Ram and Sonali Bendre as Sita. Ramayana Returns Now, nearly thirty years after the original project fell apart, Ramayana is being revived on an even grander scale. Directed by Dangal and Chhichhore fame Nitesh Tiwari and co-produced by Namit Malhotra and actor Yash, the upcoming adaptation is envisioned as a two-part epic and is poised to become the most expensive Indian film ever made.
News18
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Ranbir Kapoor Replaced Salman Khan To Play Ram In Ramayana After Sohail Khan's 'Mistake'
Last Updated: Salman Khan was once set to play Lord Ram in a Ramayana film. A reported fallout involving Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt allegedly cost him the role, now played by Ranbir Kapoor. Long before Ranbir Kapoor was locked in as Lord Ram for Nitesh Tiwari and Namit Malhotra's epic Ramayana, Bollywood superstar Salman Khan was reportedly in line to play the divine role. With anticipation mounting for Tiwari's two-part cinematic retelling—slated to release its first installment on Diwali 2026—a curious chapter from the '90s has resurfaced, revealing that Salman had once even donned the bow and arrow for a different Ramayana project helmed by none other than his brother, Sohail Khan. As per reports from Mid-Day and Sohail had announced a film based on the Ramayana back in the early 1990s, during his initial stint as a director following his debut with Auzaar. Salman Khan was roped in to play Lord Ram, with Sonali Bendre cast as Sita. The buzz around the project grew when actor-filmmaker Pooja Bhatt also came on board. In fact, nearly 40 percent of the film had reportedly been shot, and Salman had even begun promotional work, appearing in full Ram avatar—complete with traditional attire, bow, and arrow. But the film never saw the light of day. What derailed the project wasn't creative differences or budgetary constraints—but a budding off-screen relationship. According to insiders, romance blossomed between Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt during the film's shoot. Pooja had even spoken about marriage during a 1995 interview, indicating the relationship had grown serious. However, when their father, legendary screenwriter Salim Khan, learned about the relationship, he reportedly advised Sohail to step away. Although Salman tried to maintain peace and salvage the film, things took a turn. Pooja, upset with the cold reception from the Khan family, is said to have exited the film, effectively bringing the entire production to a halt. As a result, the project was shelved indefinitely—and Salman's portrayal of Lord Ram remained an unrealized dream. Now, nearly three decades later, the Ramayana has found new life under Tiwari's direction with Ranbir Kapoor as Ram, Sai Pallavi as Sita, and Yash as the formidable Ravana. But for those who remember Bollywood in the '90s, the tale of Salman Khan's lost Ramayana remains a fascinating 'what could have been." First Published: July 19, 2025, 15:22 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India.com
18-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Before Ranbir Kapoor, Salman Khan was set to appear in Ramayana, but one mistake by Sohail Khan ruined everything
In Bollywood, news about films based on mythological stories like the Ramayana and Mahabharata often makes headlines. In these films, there is usually fierce competition among stars to play iconic characters such as Ram, Sita, Hanuman, or Ravana. There is one biggest and most expensive upcoming movie that will be releasing this year and it is Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana starring Ranbir Kapoor. Salman Khan was supposed to play Ram in Ramayana Before Ranbir Kapoor, superstar Salman Khan was suppose to play the role of Ram. Unfortunately, due to a mistake by his brother Sohail Khan, this opportunity went from his hands, despite considerable shooting and promotion of the film. Sohail Khan, who made his directorial debut with the film Auzaar , had announced a film based on the Ramayana a few years earlier. Preparations for the film were in full swing. Salman Khan was cast as Ram, and Sonali Bendre was chosen to play Sita. Later, Pooja Bhatt also joined the project. About 40 percent of the film had been shot, and Salman Khan had even begun promoting it in Ram's look, complete with a bow and arrow. However, rumours about a relationship between Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt started circulating, which ultimately ruined the entire film. Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt were supposed to get married, but… According to reports, Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt grew very close during the shooting of the film. Some media outlets even claimed that Pooja Bhatt spoke about marriage with Sohail in an interview. However, when Salman Khan's father, Salim Khan, found out about their relationship, he advised Sohail not to pursue it further. Salman also tried to handle the situation peacefully, but Pooja Bhatt reportedly did not appreciate the attitude of the Khan family. It is said that she eventually walked out of the film, leaving it incomplete. As a result, neither did Sohail and Pooja's relationship move forward, nor was the film ever completed.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Kiran Kumar recalls Salim Khan being kind to him during early days of his career and Salman Khan's super stardom: 'It's very rare to find a family like them...'
Kiran Kumar fondly remembers Salim Khan's pivotal role in launching his Bollywood career, acknowledging his early guidance and support. He attributes Salman Khan's success to the family's strong values instilled by Salim. Kiran recalls expressing his gratitude in a unique way, thanking Salim's image on a hoarding after a party, showcasing his deep respect. Veteran actor Kiran Kumar recently opened up about the immense impact legendary screenwriter Salim Khan had on his early career. In a candid and heartfelt chat, he reflected on the kindness shown by Salim during his formative years in the film industry and offered rare praise for the entire Khan family—especially Salman Khan , whose superstardom, Kiran believes, is rooted in the family's values and collective good karma. In a chat with Kunickaa Sadanand on her YouTube channel, Kiran revealed that his father, veteran actor Jeevan—famous for playing Narad Muni—shared a close bond with Salim Khan. On Salim's suggestion, Kiran was sent to boarding school to learn discipline. After returning to Mumbai, his ties with the Khan family remained strong. Though he had made a name in Gujarati cinema, it was Salim Khan who gave him his break in Hindi films by offering him a small but meaningful role. Reflecting on his bond with the Khan family, the actor called Salim Khan his "guardian angel," sharing that he would often visit him for coffee and guidance. He also recalled being cast in Auzaar, the directorial debut of Salim's son Sohail Khan , and noted that he has worked in several films alongside Salman Khan as well. He also went on to praise the entire Khan family, calling them exceptional and grounded despite their fame. He credited Salman Khan's superstardom to the family's collective good karma and highlighted Salim Khan's values as the foundation. 'Salman has a golden heart,' he said, adding that much of the credit rightfully goes to Salim Khan. Kiran admitted he never found the right moment or courage to thank Salim directly for all the support he had received. But in a memorable, if unconventional, gesture, he once expressed his gratitude in a drunken state. Recalling the night, he shared that after a party, around 2:30 AM, he passed by a Being Human store featuring a hoarding of Salman and Salim Khan. Overcome with emotion, he got out of his car, sat on the store's steps, and thanked Salim Khan's image on the hoarding—his own heartfelt, if slightly inebriated, tribute to a man he considers his guardian angel.
Indian Express
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Salman Khan's acting process is ‘hawa ka jhoka' compared to Aamir Khan's, says Paresh Rawal: ‘Kab aaya, udaa ke le gaya…'
Paresh Rawal has worked in the film industry for over 40 years. In his illustrious career, he's shared screen space with generations of actors, including two actors who debuted soon after him and became formidable leading stars in the 1990s. Rawal worked with both — Aamir Khan and Salman Khan — together in Rajkumar Santoshi's 1994 cult comedy Andaz Apna Apna. Rawal described the acting process of both as polar opposite to each other. 'Aamir has to work around and know things in depth and detail. That is why Aamir sahab thoda time lete hai (that is why Aamir takes more time while shooting). Meanwhile, Salman is hawa ka jhoka, kab aaya, udake ke le gaya, pata bhi nahi chalta (Salman is like a breeze, you don't even realise when he arrives and sweeps everything away with him),' Rawal said. In the interview with Bollywood Bubble, Paresh Rawal explained further, 'Salman understands a scene on a gut level. He is such a charming fellow. On screen, he is magic. When he comes on set, he doesn't have to work too hard. He just flows with it.' Rawal has collaborated with Salman in Sohail Khan's 1997 action thriller Auzaar, David Dhawan's 2000 romantic comedy Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, Raj Kanwar's 2000 rom-com Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Anees Bazmee's 2011 action comedy Ready, and most recently, Ali Abbas Zafar's 2017 spy thriller Tiger Zinda Hai. Meanwhile, Paresh Rawal and Aamir Khan have shared screen space in SA Kader's 1992 action romance Daulat Ki Jung, Ashutosh Gowariker's 1995 action thriller Baazi, and Mansoor Khan's 1995 romantic drama Akele Hum Akele Tum. Rawal has previously compared the working styles of Aamir and Salman, when he claimed he finds Aamir to be a better actor than Salman and Shah Rukh Khan. 'Personally, I like Aamir better, if I talk about work. He doesn't believe in any gestures or mannerisms. But Salman is full of it, he is a natural. He has another level of charm and charisma,' said Rawal to The Lallantop, adding, 'Acting mein koi bada, superior, inferior, ghatiya, great nahi hai (No one is bigger, superior, inferior, pathetic, and great in acting). Everyone is different and good in their own place.' Also Read — Paresh Rawal confirms his return to Hera Pheri 3: 'We had to fine-tune ourselves…' 'With Aamir, his way of working is methodical. Salman toh hasste khelte aayega aur karlega (Salman will come and pull it off like it's a child's play), Aamir has to know everything. So, kabhi kabhi lagta tha ki thoda toh kahin par manufacture kia hua lagta hai (So it felt sometimes that his performance is a little manufactured). But when you see his final impact, it's amazing,' Rawal had said in interview WTH Radio Nasha.
