I’ll wait for Salman Khan: Sooraj Barjatya

Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya, who recently announced his next as a director with Salman Khan, is ready to keep his film on hold till his hero is ready to shoot. He said, “Salman is the perfect Prem for my story, which I’m still developing...."

Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya, who recently announced his next as a director with Salman Khan, is ready to keep his film on hold till his hero is ready to shoot. Reason: it was recently reported that the actor’s been experiencing a pain in his jaws and may need rest before starting his next, Dabangg 2.

“Salman is the perfect Prem for my story, which I’m still developing. But now, after reading about his health, I’m worried. I don’t want to risk his health for my movie,” says Sooraj, adding, “I don’t mind waiting for him for two to three years if that’s what it will take for him to get cured.”

The filmmaker had always kept his first-ever Prem in the loop about Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon (2003) and Vivah (2006), where he couldn’t cast him as the scripts required younger men for the lead roles. Then, early this year, Sooraj, who is currently supervising his sister Kavita’s telly show Jhilmil Sitaron Ka Angan Hoga for Sahara One, announced that he’s ready to come back to direction, this time with Salman as his hero.

“I don’t like starting too many things at once. I was busy setting up the TV division with my sister. Now that the department is working fine, I can come back to movies,” says the 47-year-old filmmaker. “I met Salman with a one-line story idea. He liked it and agreed to shoot in December-January (2013). I still have to show him the final script, but given our association, it will only remain a formality.”

Sooraj’s 21-year-old son, Devaansh, will also make his debut behind the camera. He’ll assist his father on the film. “I don’t know if he’ll stick around in the business, but he has shown keenness,” he says. “So, I’ve given him an opportunity. I hope he takes over the reigns from me someday.”

His on-screen 'Prems'

Shahid Kapoor (Vivah, 2006)

Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon (Hrithik Roshan-Abhishek Bachchan, 2003)

Hum Saath Saath Hain (Salman Khan, 1999)

Hum Aapke Hain Koun! (Salman Khan, 1994)

Maine Pyaar Kiya (Salman Khan, 1989)