
Sonam Kapoor and Salman Khan shared the screen in the 2015 blockbuster Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. In a candid interview, Sonam Kapoor reflected on her experience working alongside Salman Khan, revealing the unique challenges that came with the role, particularly due to Salman Khan’s long-standing friendship with her father, actor Anil Kapoor.

“Salman was hesitant to work with me in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo,” Sonam Kapoor admitted. “He’s a close friend of my father and has acted with him in films like Biwi No. 1 and No Entry. He found the idea of romancing his friend’s daughter on screen rather awkward.”

It reportedly took Salman Khan nearly five months to agree to the role. He later shared, “I was initially unwilling to work with Sonam. Sooraj Barjatya somehow convinced me. The romance in Sooraj’s films is very unique, and it was a challenge. But Sonam was the perfect fit.”

On her part, Sonam Kapoor had no such reservations. “I didn’t find it strange at all. I actually enjoyed working with him,” she said. “I’ve watched all his films and share a familial bond with him. I also know his father well.”

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo went on to become the second-highest-grossing film of 2015 and marked the fourth collaboration between Salman Khan and Rajshri Productions, following Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), and Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999).

Director Sooraj Barjatya revealed that he initially narrated the script to Salman Khan without naming the female lead. “I wanted a fresh face, and after watching Raanjhanaa, I felt Sonam Kapoor was perfect for the role.”

When Sooraj Barjatya finally showed Sonam Kapoor’s photo to Salman Khan, the actor was surprised. Sooraj Barjatya recalled, “Salman looked at me and said he needed time to think. A whole month passed. He was worried about the age difference. He also mentioned that Sonam is very tall and looks quite young. Having seen her grow up, it was hard for him to imagine romancing her on screen.”