Bollywood people are superstitious. If one screen name is seen to work for an actor, they will milk it for all its worth. So if Amitabh Bachchan was Vijay countless times, Raj or Rahul have repeatedly been Shah Rukh Khan’s screen personas. Similarly we have Salman Khan, who has been Prem (being Prem evidently predated Being Human) in many movies. He was Prem in his first hit Maine Pyar Kiya and now most recently in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and numerous times in between as well. Salman Khan has played Prem in as many as 15 movies:
1. Maine Pyar Kiya –
Salman Khan’s second film, first hit and the start of a lifelong association with the ‘sanskari’ Sooraj Barjatya
2. Andaz Apna Apna –
The adorably nonsensical film about Amar (Aamir Khan) and Prem.
3. Hum Aapke Hai Kaun –
Another ‘sanskari’ film with a wafer thin plot… you guessed it, Sooraj Bharjatya part two.
4. Judwaaa –
This mad caper had two Salman Khans one of whom was Raja and the other of course, was Prem.
5. Biwi No. 1 –
A David Dhawan film featuring Dhawan’s pet theme: bigamy and of course a Salman Khan character called Prem.
6. Hum Saath-Saath Hai –
Sanskari Sooraj Bharjatya film No 3 with Salman as Prem
7. Chal Mere Bhai –
The film starring the two best known Bhais of Bollywood: some romance and lots of bromance!
8. No Entry –
Bollywood’s idea of the bedroom farce peopled with suspicious wives and silly misunderstandings.
9. Partner –
This was Salman Khan doing a Will Smith (Hitch); but with the name Prem obviously.
10. Ready –
The quintessential Salman Khan film; unapologetically so… enough said.
11. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo –
Sanskari Sooraj Barjatya film No 4 with Salman as Prem. Obviously the man believes in the old adage why fix that which ain’t broke.
Apart from these, Salman has been Prem in special appearances for Deewana Mastana and Sirf Tum. He has also been Prem in Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye and Marigold: An Adventure in India.
Author: Reena Daruwalla