Must read: Excerpts from Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya’s interview

To celebrate 20 years of Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya spoke about their 25 year long relationship, why Khan regards Barjatya as the best director in the country and a little on their upcoming film Prem Ratan Dhan Dayo.

You can also watch their full interview below.

Salman Khan:

Even now when someone asks me, I say my best film is Maine Pyaar Kiya because that was the purest film that I’ve ever done.

The next film was Hum Aapke Hain Koun, which was 100 times better than the first one.

Sooraj only does films when he has something to say. He doesn’t make films when I have dates, or when he has to run his production company. When he believes in something, when he knows he can make a difference to the society, when he can impact people with niceness.. that is the only time he makes a movie.

Sooraj Barjatya:

What I want to be, Salman bhai plays that character on screen. So it is just a combination that is working and it’ll work again. As a director I want my films to have that feeling of security, everything is nice.. there is hope for the future. That comes across in rituals and functions.

When the trial of Hum Aapke Hain Koun was going on, there were like 14 songs in the film, and I saw people getting up and walking off. People in the trade were saying things like “Sab Ke Saat Hota Hai” (don’t worry, it happens to everyone). I thought its all over. Salim uncle (Salman’s father) called me up and he said cut off two songs. Third day I cut it off and that’s when the collections picked up. There are so many memories of Hum Aapke Hain Koun.

After I narrated the film to Salman, he laughed, he continued laughing and saying there are no hero or heroines in HAHK. Everyone is a hero and heroine.

Salman Khan:

Sooraj-ji has the most beautiful pair of eyes. He sees everything with niceness, he doesn’t judge anyone

After the first shot of Maine Pyaar Kiya, he cried, after the final shot we both cried. After the first shot of HAHK, we both cried, after the last shot, we both cried. With Hum Saath Saath Hain, after first shot, we cried, after last shot, he cried, I ran away”

For me Sooraj Barjatya is the best director in the country. There is no exposure (actresses exposing in films), there is no dirtiness, there is no double meaning or vulgarity. You can go and see the film with your grandparents or their grand children. This is our culture, he is truly within the guidelines of Doordarshan. Yet he is making romantic and sensual films. Beautiful looking films.

There is action in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. The good wins over bad.

Watch the full interview below