Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya recently made an interesting revelation about his 90s blockbuster ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!,’ starring Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit. While the film remains an evergreen favorite, with its story, songs, and the chemistry between Prem and Nisha cherished by cinephiles, few know that Madhuri was not the first choice for Nisha.
During a special episode of Indian Idol, Barjatya shared that he initially considered Karisma Kapoor for the role. He recalled that Karisma had personally called him to watch her film Prem Qaidi, and after seeing her performance, he was impressed. Returning home, he told his father, “She has a lot of ability. We are still in the writing stage of ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun,’ and we need to cast someone for the role of Nisha.”
However, his father, Rajkumar Barjatya, was hesitant. He felt that Karisma was too young for the role, pointing out that she would have to accept Mohnish Bahl’s children as her own on-screen, which might be a huge responsibility for someone so young. He advised, “Let’s take someone who can carry that weight on her shoulders.”
Ultimately, Madhuri Dixit was cast as Nisha, and her portrayal became one of the most celebrated performances in Bollywood history. Even Karisma later admitted that had she been of the right age, she would have loved to take on the role.
‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!’ stood out for its lavish wedding sequences, emotional depth, and a record-breaking soundtrack composed by Raamlaxman, featuring 14 melodious songs. Its success was unprecedented, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of its time, with worldwide earnings estimated between Rs 111.63 and Rs 128 crore.
Barjatya will be back with another film this year, this time, with actor Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead role. According to reports, the hunk will play the new ‘Prem’ in the upcoming family drama which is scheduled to go on floors this summer.