‘I kept encouraging Salman to watch Pokiri. Finally, one night after midnight, he arrived at a Mumbai preview theatre to see it.’
‘I anxiously awaited Salman’s response. After watching, he passed by silently.’
‘I followed him nervously, and before getting into his car, he simply gave a thumbs up.’
IMAGE: Salman Khan in Wanted.
For years, discussions around Salman Khan focused on his physique.
Now, attention has shifted to Boney Kapoor‘s remarkable transformation.
After shedding 24 kg, the 70-year-old producer appears fit and stylish, rivaling his ‘youthful’ brother, Anil Kapoor, in fitness.
With Salman Khan’s 60th birthday nearing on December 27, Boney reflects on his relationship with him and shares insights.
“In the first half of Tere Naam, Salman has long hair, but later, when in an ashram, his head is shaved,” Boney explains to Rediff Senior Contributor Roshmila Bhattacharya. “With his toned physique and cropped hair, he seemed ideal for Suriya’s role in Ghajini.”
‘Salman declined payment or gifts for Sirf Tum‘
IMAGE: Salman Khan and Priya Gill in Sirf Tum.
My partnership with Salman dates back to Sirf Tum in 1999.
We were both filming in Hyderabad, and I asked him for a cameo in the Hindi remake of the award-winning Tamil film, Kadhal Kottai.
Sirf Tum starred my brother Sanjay Kapoor with Priya Gill, and I wanted Salman to play Prem, a businessman her brother-in-law wants her to marry.
Surprisingly, Salman agreed and filmed with us for two days.
Despite not being close friends, he accepted out of goodwill, refusing any payment or gifts.
The love story of two strangers, Sirf Tum was a surprise hit, prompting me to approach him for another project.
‘I envisioned him as Nandini’s husband Shekhar in Shakti‘
IMAGE: Salman Khan in No Entry.
Shakti is the Hindi adaptation of the 1998 Telugu action drama Anthapuram.
When I contacted him again, Salman promptly accepted.
Having already appeared in Sirf Tum, he likely assumed I wanted him for Jai Singh (played by Shah Rukh Khan), who becomes the unexpected hero for Karisma Kapoor’s Nandini.
However, I intended for him to portray Nandini’s husband Shekhar.
We never detailed it due to an industry strike halting work in Mumbai, and Salman had to resume another project once it ended. Sanjay eventually played Shekhar.
‘No Entry revitalized my career’
IMAGE: Fardeen Khan, Bipasha Basu, Salman Khan, and Anil Kapoor in No Entry.
We collaborated on No Entry, a remake of the 2002 Tamil comedy, Charlie Chaplin.
When Anil approached him, Salman assumed it was for another cameo.
Despite being a supporting role, Salman’s character was well-developed, unlike the original Tamil version.
He played Prem, a married playboy whose antics entangle his friends, Anil’s Kishen and Fardeen Khan’s Sunny, with their wives.
I hesitantly requested 15 to 20 days from Salman.
We ended up filming with him for 22 days, and he later assisted with additional scenes without complaint.
At the time, my career was struggling, but No Entry, 2005’s highest-grossing film, revitalized both mine and Anil’s careers.
Interestingly, No Entry was later remade in the South.
‘Nitin Manmohan switched Sanjay for Salman in Tere Naam‘
IMAGE: Bhumika Chawla and Salman Khan in Tere Naam.
Prabhu Devaa was crafting a script for me about a father and his two sons.
I wanted Salman for the triple role.
Meanwhile, I watched Ghajini.
Suriya’s look in the 2005 Tamil thriller reminded me of Salman in Tere Naam, the remake of the 1999 Tamil drama Sethu.
I sold the Hindi remake rights of Sethu to Producer Nitin Manmohan.
He planned Tere Naam with Sanjay as Radhe Mohan, recording two songs and conducting a photo session with my brother.
However, due to Sanjay’s career downturn and no contractual clause binding Nitin to use him, he replaced Sanjay with Salman.
In Tere Naam, Salman initially has long hair, but later shaves it when at an ashram.
I thought his sculpted body and trimmed hair suited Suriya’s role in Ghajini perfectly.
‘Aamir’s agreement led Madhu and Allu Aravind to produce Ghajini‘
IMAGE: Salman Khan in Tere Naam.
My representative in the South sought the Hindi remake rights.
Producer Salem Chandrasekharan indicated they were collateral for Allu Aravind, who distributed the Telugu Ghajini, but they could be bought by settling debts to both.
I contacted Madhu Mantena, a friend of Allu Aravind, to purchase the rights.
Madhu assured me, ‘Ho jayega (It will happen).
Meanwhile, Pradeep Rawat, who played the villain, showed the Tamil film to Aamir Khan.
For six months, Aamir deliberated on the Hindi remake of Ghajini, with Madhu keeping me in suspense.
When Aamir agreed, Madhu Mantena and Allu Aravind opted to produce it themselves, and I missed the opportunity.
I wanted Salman in Ghajini and regret losing that chance.
‘I urged Salman to watch Pokiri‘
IMAGE: Salman Khan and Ayesha Takia in Wanted.
During the Ghajini discussions, I saw Puri Jagannadh’s 2006 Telugu hit, Pokiri.
I believed Salman would fit the role of Radhe aka Rajveer Shekhavat.
I arranged two preview screenings, but Salman couldn’t attend due to his busy schedule.
I feared the Tamil remake’s success would spur other Bollywood interests in the Hindi rights, much like Ghajini.
I persistently encouraged Salman to watch it, and finally, past midnight, he arrived at a Mumbai preview theatre.
Unfortunately, due to a mix-up, a DTS print was sent instead of Dolby Digital.
Anxiously, I awaited Salman’s response. After watching, he walked by silently.
I followed him, and before entering his car, he gave a thumbs up.
‘Many consider Wanted Salman’s comeback’
Photograph: Courtesy of Boney Kapoor
Salman suggested Katrina Kaif for the heroine in Wanted, the Hindi version of Pokiri.
However, as the character is initially unsure about Radhe, I felt an actress not previously paired with him was ideal.
We considered several options, including Genelia D’Souza, before selecting Ayesha Takia.
Wanted, directed by Prabhu Devaa, was released on September 18, 2009, and became a blockbuster.
Many view Wanted as Salman’s comeback.
In reality, it marked my resurgent success as a producer.
Before Wanted began, I discussed a No Entry sequel with Salman, who was enthusiastic.
I informed his manager I needed at least 90 days. Salman allocated 135 days.
However, No Entry Mein Entry was eventually shelved due to unforeseen circumstances.
When I find a suitable project, I will certainly approach him again.
I’m hopeful Salman will agree.
Photographs curated by Satish Bodas/Rediff
