‘My dad wasn’t told. He was lost, confused’: Not Salman Khan, but Amaal Mallik’s father was supposed to play lead actor in award-winning film.

Maine Pyaar Kiya, directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya, emerged as one of the most iconic films upon its 1989 premiere. The movie marked the Bollywood debut of superstar Salman Khan in the lead role, with Bhagyashree also marking her foray into the film industry with the romantic drama. Salman also bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his performance in Maine Pyaar Kiya, where he played the role of Prem, which soon became a memorable character. But do you know that someone else was supposed to play the lead in the cult classic?

Music composer Amaal Mallik, who appeared in Salman Khan’s Bigg Boss 19, recently revealed that his father, music director Daboo Mallik, was supposed to play Prem Chopra in Maine Pyaar Kiya. Amaal talked about his father’s career setbacks, personal struggles and how he lost the role in an interview with Filmfare.

Amaal Mallik on his father losing Maine Pyaar Kiya offer

Amaal shared that when his father was 35 years old, he was lost in life, baffled and confused, thinking about what to do next. He attempted to act in movies, even shooting the first two schedules of Maine Pyaar Kiya, as the hero. ‘There was another girl and a photoshoot, etc., everything was done and they shot for the film,’ said Amaal. But during the filming process, another handsome and ‘more stupendous man came through’, recalled Amaal, disclosing that it was Salman Khan.

Quoting his father, Amaal Mallik remembered that his dad was once climbing down the stairs of Sooraj Barjatya’s office when he saw Salman Khan, who, according to Daboo Mallik, was a ‘young, good-looking, mullet hair boy.’ When Daboo Mallik wanted to know more about the person, the security guard revealed that Salman was the new hero and leading star of Maine Pyaar Kiya. As per Amaal, his father had no idea that he was replaced, as no one even told him about the change.

Amaal Mallik talks about his father’s tough phase

Although Daboo Mallik had already shot certain parts of the film and the cassette was ready, he accepted his fate silently. Years later, when he was working with Salman Khan’s brother, actor Sohail Khan, on a musical project, he finally shared the story with Salman.

In the same conversation, Amaal Mallik revealed how his father wasn’t getting any work. He was unable to afford essentials like food and baby care products for little Amaal. That’s when Amaal’s mother, Jyoti Mallik, took matters into her own hands. She urged Daboo Mail to leave the house and live on rent. ‘If my mom wasn’t there, I don’t know how my dad would have relaxed or survived that phase,’ admitted Amaal.

Amaal Mallik is one of the leading music composers in Bollywood today, known for delivering a mix of romantic hits and soulful tracks. He has composed popular songs like Sooraj Dooba Hai, Kar Gayi Chull, Bol Do Na Zara, Jab Tak and Kaun Tujhe, building a strong reputation for melody-driven music.