For millions of Bollywood fans, Maine Pyar Kiya remains the film that introduced Salman Khan as the ultimate romantic hero and made Bhagyashree an overnight sensation. The 1989 blockbuster changed the careers of everyone involved and went on to become one of the defining love stories of its generation. But decades after the film’s release, actor Upasana Singh has shared a surprising story about her connection to the project, claiming she was once in line to play the female lead.
In a recent conversation, Upasana opened up about an experience that left a lasting impact on her. The actor revealed that she had auditioned for the film and was even told she had been selected from director Sooraj Barjatya’s side. However, things never moved forward, and the role eventually went to Bhagyashree. Looking back now, Upasana admitted that the entire episode hurt her deeply and remained a painful memory for years.
Upasana Says She Was Told She Had Been Selected
Recalling the events, Upasana shared that she was studying in Chandigarh at the time while regularly visiting Mumbai with dreams of becoming a leading actress. During one of those visits, she met people associated with Rajshri Productions and was introduced to Sooraj Barjatya, who was preparing for Maine Pyar Kiya.
According to Upasana, the meeting was simple and informal. She explained that Sooraj Barjatya asked her to perform a few dialogues rather than conducting a lengthy screen test. After the interaction, she was reportedly informed that she had been approved from the director’s side and was expected to meet senior producer Raj Kumar Barjatya as the next step.
For a young aspiring actor, it seemed like a major breakthrough was around the corner. However, the promised follow-up never arrived. As time passed, production on the film moved ahead without her involvement. Eventually, Maine Pyar Kiya was completed and released with Bhagyashree in the lead role opposite Salman Khan.
The experience left Upasana disappointed, especially because she had quietly believed she was close to landing one of the biggest opportunities of her career. She revealed that she never even told people around her about being considered for the role because the outcome felt humiliating.
A Revelation Years Later Reopened Old Wounds
The story might have ended there, but years later Upasana found herself working with Sooraj Barjatya again on Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon. During a shoot in Switzerland, an unexpected conversation reportedly brought the old chapter back into focus.
According to Upasana, Raj Kumar Barjatya mentioned in front of several people that she had once been the first choice for Maine Pyar Kiya. The revelation surprised those around her and immediately sparked questions about why she had not been cast in the final film.
That moment pushed Upasana to ask the question she had been carrying for years. She confronted Sooraj Barjatya and wanted to know why she had ultimately lost the role despite being told she was selected. What followed, according to her, was an explanation she found difficult to accept.
Upasana claimed she was told that her height was one of the reasons she was not cast opposite Salman Khan. The answer did not sit well with her, and she openly challenged the reasoning during the conversation.
“Bhagyashree Performed Really Well, But I Deserved It More”
While discussing the incident, Upasana made it clear that she has no issue with Bhagyashree’s performance in the film. In fact, she acknowledged that the actress did an excellent job and became an important part of the movie’s success. At the same time, she admitted that the disappointment never completely faded.
Reflecting on her feelings from that period, Upasana revealed that she avoided watching Maine Pyar Kiya for a long time because the memory of losing the role was too painful. The film had become a massive phenomenon across India, making it even harder for her to move on from what she believed was a missed opportunity.
She further stated, “But she performed really well and deserved that role, but I deserved it more than her. Salman knew about this.”
The statement has naturally drawn attention because Maine Pyar Kiya is widely regarded as one of the most important films in modern Bollywood history. Any discussion surrounding its casting decisions continues to generate curiosity among fans even decades later.
The Film That Changed Salman Khan’s Career
Released in 1989 under Rajshri Productions, Maine Pyar Kiya became one of the biggest hits of its era and established Sooraj Barjatya as a filmmaker to watch. The film told the story of Prem and Suman, whose friendship gradually blossoms into love while facing opposition from family and circumstances.
The movie featured Salman Khan, Bhagyashree, Alok Nath, Reema Lagoo, Mohnish Bahl, Rajeev Verma and Ajit Vachani in key roles. While Salman had made his Bollywood debut earlier in Biwi Ho To Aisi, it was Maine Pyar Kiya that transformed him into a household name and introduced audiences to his romantic hero image.
The success of the film also laid the foundation for one of Bollywood’s most successful actor-director partnerships. Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya later reunited for films such as Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Hum Saath-Saath Hain, both of which became major commercial successes.
More than three decades later, Maine Pyar Kiya remains a beloved classic. Yet Upasana Singh’s recent revelations offer a fascinating glimpse into an alternate version of Bollywood history—one where the film’s iconic love story might have looked very different had casting decisions gone another way.
