25 years of Hum Saath-Saath Hain: Revisiting Salman Khan's subtle turn as Prem and legacy of family, love, and drama

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For various reasons, Hum Saath-Saath Hain remains etched in people's hearts even after 25 years. Sooraj Barjatya's 1999 family drama has captivated the Internet with its humorous memes and relatable content, showcasing the evolution of family perception in just two decades. In the story, a misunderstanding causes a joint family to drift apart, shattering their shared ideals and unity. In addition to Neelam, Mahesh Thakur, Reema Lagoo, and Alok Nath, the film features an ensemble cast including Salman Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre, and Mohnish Bahl.

Family ideals shattered by misunderstanding

Hum Saath-Saath Hain, we follow Ramkishen (Alok Nath) and Mamta (Reema Lagoo) as they navigate life as part of a blended family. A misunderstanding leads to a rift between them, challenging the unity of their close-knit family. The film delicately depicts the virtues of love, forgiveness, and sacrifice as it progresses. The movie takes viewers to a fantastical land where love and family ties are stronger than any obstacle.

It also shows that when a mother's disdain for her stepson drives her other family members to choose sides, it can lead to internal strife in a blended family. Is the family doomed, or will Mom come to terms with her error?

Salman Khan's initial reservations

Of Salman Khan's films produced by Rajshri, Hum Saath-Saath Hain is the third. Earlier in an interview, Barjatya revealed that Salman Khan was not keen to play the role of Prem in the film. The filmmaker recalled, "Salman's role was very subtle... Many times, Salman would tell me, 'Saif Ali Khan's role matches my style; why are you giving it to him instead of me?'"

In spite of Salman's request, Barjatya was adamant about the film's direction. He had a clear vision for Prem's journey, so he needed to keep his voice down and act more subtly. Salman could showcase a different part of his acting talent in this character, which Barjatya thought was perfect for him; thus, he was against the suggestion that he swap roles.

However, the director said that people were disappointed that he wasn't given a more exciting part. But the discussion took a turn when Salman's father, Salim Khan, a seasoned screenwriter, entered the picture. After seeing the film, he told his son and the director that keeping Salman as Prem was the greatest choice, saying that the superstar had the best role.

The gamble that Barjatya took on Salman's portrayal of Prem paid off in the end. With his subtle portrayal of the part, he became famous and became one of Bollywood's most beloved actors. In keeping with the film's overarching theme of love, duty, and harmony between families, the filmmaker's interpretation of Prem's part was spot on. Following its commercial success, the film cemented Salman's link with the "Prem" character, which he had played in other films by Rajshri Productions, and established Barjatya as a filmmaker who had a finger on the pulse of Indian family dramas.

Commercial success

With a global revenue of ₹81.7 crore (US$18.98 million), Hum Saath-Saath Hain became the highest grossing film of 1999 and one of the biggest blockbusters of the decade after its release on 5 November.

The majority of critics gave it favourable reviews. In addition, six showings in Toronto made it the first Bollywood film to appear in Canadian theatres. The Telugu title for the film's dubbed version was Premanuragam.