Mumbai: Much before superstar Salman Khan was called ‘Sultan’ or ‘Bhaijaan’, he was well known as ‘Prem’, a popular screen name given by filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya.
Barjatya who has directed Salman in many movies has always named him as Prem. The duo first worked in Salman’s debut movie ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ and then worked on films like ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun…!’, ‘Hum Saath-Saath Hain’ and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, in which all of Khan’s characters were christened Prem.
In an interview with PTI, Barjatya said the name encapsulates everything he wants to say through his films. “‘Prem’ signifies a man who has his basics right, who’s traditionally rooted, has fun but loves to be with his family and is good at heart,” the director said.
Even in the two films which Barjatya directed without Khan, ‘Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon’ starring Hrithik Roshan and ‘Vivah’ featuring Shahid Kapoor, he retained the name Prem for the male protagonist.