As the Lawrence D'Souza directorial recently completed three decades, we take you through some interesting trivia about its making...

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Revisiting Saajan: A look back at the making of the Bollywood blockbuster

Team CE

Published:18th Feb, 2021 at 3:47 PM

Saajan, a fraught love triangle, starring Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Madhuri Dixit, was released in August 1991.

It was the first film to star Sanjay and Salman together. They would later re-team on Chal Mere Bhai and the unfinished Dus.

The other Hindi films that released in Aug that year were: Saajan, Bhabhi Dancer Baharon Ke Manzil Kaun Kare Kurbanie Pratikaar ( Ranbhoomi House No. 13 Saudagar Swarg Yahan Narak Yahan Indrajeet

Saajan's screenplay and dialogues by Reema Rakesh Nath.

The writer had suffered a leg injury in real life and worried if anyone would marry her. She based Sanjay Dutt's character, Aman, on this experience.

Aamir Khan was the initial choice for Aman. The actor had liked the script but could not connect with his role deeply.

Ayesha Jhulka fell sick on the first day of shooting. She was replaced by Madhuri Dixit.

During the shoot, rumours of Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit’s relationship hit the tabloids.

Reema Lagoo appears as Akash’s mother. The later actor was just a few years older to Salman.

Ekta Saloni played the character Menaka, Akash’s friend.

The film was completed in just 36 days, not usual for the time

Saajan's cinematography was also handled by Lawrence D'Souza

Saajan’s soundtrack was composed by Nadeem–Shravan. It has endured as one of the greatest albums of Hindi cinema.

The album became the highest-selling one then.

SP Balasubramanyam and Kumar Sanu voiced for Salman and Sanjay respectively

SPB had earlier voiced for Salman in Maine Pyaar Kya. Their duo persisted through the ‘90s.

The film’s climax turns on a Pankaj Udhas concert. The ghazal singer is also featured on the soundtrack.

The lovelorn ‘Jeeye Toh Jeeye’ had two versions: a solo by Pankaj Udhas and a duet featuring Kumar Sanu, Anuradha Paudwal, SP Balasubramaniam and Pankaj Udhas.

The track ‘Pehli baar mile hain...' was adapted from 'Solitude Standing' by Suzanne Vega.

Kumar Sanu won his second Filmfare award for Mera Dil Bhi Kitna Pagal Hai.

Nadeem-Shravan also won their second Filmfare for Best Music Director

All the singers who gave their voice for Saajan were in fact nominated for Filmfare Awards.

Saajan was the biggest hit of 1991. It grossed around 18 crore worldwide.

After the film’s release, producer Sudhakar Bokade was slighted by Subhash Ghai at a party.

Shubhash was reportedly upset that Saajan was a bigger hit than Saudagar, which released the same year.

The climax of Raaz (2002) was shot in the same forest in the song Dekha Hai Pehli Baar. It’s in Ooty, Tamil Nadu.

The director Lawrence D'Souza made a special appearance in the song 'Dekha Hai Pehli Baar.'

Saajan was the first Salman Khan film to release in Canada

Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017) also features a love triangle complicated by a pseudonym.

The Lunchbox (2013) includes many references to Saajan. Irrfan Khan’s lonely widower in the film is named Saajan Fernandez.

His pen friend, Ila (Nimrat Kaur), is a fan of the Saajan soundtrack. Both films turn on the writing and exchanging of letters.

Saajan was distributed by Eros Entertainment.

A Saajan sequel was announced in 2013