The re-release of Sanam Teri Kasam starring Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane has exceeded expectations, garnering twice the love compared to its original 2016 release. The film’s resurgence has left its cast and crew ecstatic. While fans are eagerly rooting for a sequel, directors Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao have now opened up about their bond with Salman Khan and the possibility of working with him again.
In a heartfelt conversation with ETimes, Vinay recalled a life-changing moment when Salman Khan agreed to do their film without hesitation. He told us, “We used to carry scripts and song references with us. One day, we went to Galaxy Apartments and met someone there. Salman Khan saw us and asked, ‘What are you guys doing here?’ We told him, ‘We’ve come here for a narration.’ He invited us inside and later said, ‘Congratulations, I’m doing your film.’”
The director continued, “We were just two people, trying to make a film, and right in front of us stood a superstar. He told us, ‘I haven’t seen your work, but I’ll do your film. Now, let me hear the script.’ That’s how destiny brings mortals and stars together.”
Radhika praised Salman’s belief in them during their lowest phase, saying, “It’s something out of this world — the kindness, the compassion, and the ability to recognize talent. No one believed we could make a film, but he did. He had the ability to see beyond doubt, to judge whether we had what it took. And just when we needed him the most, he stepped in.”
She further shared, “When we were at our lowest — bashed, trashed, kicked, and buried by the world — one single word of compassion, one honest statement from him made us feel like we could take on the world. ‘If he believes in us, then something must be right.’”
Vinay then revealed how Salman stepped in when their film lacked promotional backing. “Our studio had betrayed us. The film wasn’t getting promoted. There was nothing — no visibility, no support. Four days before the release, we went to him. He looked at us and said, ‘Your film isn’t being promoted.’ We replied, ‘Salman, this is a betrayal.’ He saw the trailer and simply asked, ‘Now, what do you want me to do?’”
They requested just one tweet from Salman, and that single gesture changed everything. “We said, ‘One tweet.’ And that tweet is etched in our hearts forever. He wrote: ‘This song was recorded for Tere Naam.’ By mentioning Tere Naam — his mega-hit, he erased every doubt anyone had about our film, our team, or our abilities. Three words from him changed everything. That’s the greatness of Salman Khan.”
With Sanam Teri Kasam finding renewed love among audiences, speculation about a sequel is growing. Addressing this, Vinay shared, “One interviewer even asked, ‘Will Salman be there in part 2?’ Salman Khan is on every director’s wish list, and we are no different. We’ve had a script on our top shelf since the day we finished Lucky, waiting for him.”
Radhika, however, acknowledged Salman’s selective approach, saying, “But Salman works when he wants to work. He chooses who he wants to work with.”
Ending on a hopeful note, Vinay said, “Every month, we go to him, show our faces, and say, ‘Good morning, sir.’ It’s our little prayer to the universe, hoping he’ll look at us once more.”
