Bollywood veteran Himani Shivpuri recently took fans on nostalgic journey as she shared heartfelt birthday message for Salman Khan. Her post was a glimpse into the set of her very first commercial film ‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun…!’
From theatre stages to the big screen
Himani, who began her career in theatre, recalled stepping into the bustling world of Bollywood with mix of excitement and nervousness. Coming from the National School of Drama (NSD) repertory, she was used to intimate theatre stages, not the grandeur of big commercial sets.
“I had come from NSD repertory, theatre background. This was completely different. Big stars, Madhuri, Salman, Binduji, Rima, Anupam,” she wrote.
Among all the familiar and unfamiliar faces, the only person she knew was her senior, Anupam Kher, who had come to watch her play ‘Surya’.
The surprise lift that stole the scene
Her very first scene with Salman turned into an unforgettable memory. Himani explained how director Sooraj Barjatya had set up the shot and called “action.”
To everyone’s surprise, Salman suddenly lifted her mid-scene! Himani, with her theatre instincts, reacted naturally, and the impromptu moment impressed the director so much that it was kept in the film.
“So my first scene with Bhaijan, Sooraj ji explained the scene, Soorajji said action, and to everyone’s surprise, Salman lifted me up. I just reacted, and Soorajji liked the take and kept it,” she shared.
A bond beyond the screen
Himani went on to work with Salman in several more films. These include ‘Biwi No 1’, ‘Bandhan’, ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, ‘Chal Mere Bhai’, and ‘Veergati’. Over the years, she has seen the superstar’s warm personality up close.
“He never failed to surprise me; the boy with a golden heart! God bless him. May he continue to entertain us, surprise us, and rule our hearts!” she wrote.