In Bollywood, mythological epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata have always attracted immense public interest, with fierce competition among top stars for roles like Ram, Sita, Hanuman, and Ravana.
This year’s most highly anticipated and expensive film in the genre is director Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor. But few know that years ago, Salman Khan was all set to portray Lord Ram in a different adaptation — one that never saw the light of day.
Salman Khan as Ram — A missed opportunity
Before Ranbir Kapoor was cast as Ram, Salman Khan was set to play the divine role in a Ramayana film directed by his brother, Sohail Khan. The film, launched with much fanfare, had cast Sonali Bendre as Sita, and later, Pooja Bhatt joined the cast as well. Nearly 40% of the film had been completed, and promotional material featuring Salman Khan in Ram’s iconic look — bow and arrow in hand — had already been released.
However, the project came to a sudden halt, not due to budget constraints or creative differences, but because of a personal controversy.
Sohail Khan and Pooja Bhatt’s relationship derailed the film
During the film’s production, Sohail Khan reportedly became romantically involved with actress Pooja Bhatt. Rumors of their relationship soon began circulating in the media. In an interview at the time, Pooja Bhatt even hinted at marriage plans with Sohail Khan.
This didn’t sit well with the Khan family. According to reports, Salim Khan, the family patriarch, disapproved of the growing closeness between the two and advised Sohail to step away from the relationship. Salman Khan reportedly tried to mediate and keep things calm, but tensions continued to rise.
Pooja Bhatt, allegedly upset with the family’s attitude toward her, eventually walked out of the film. With her exit, the project was shelved indefinitely. The film was never completed, and Salman Khan’s opportunity to play Ram was lost.
From Salman to Ranbir: The Ramayana journey continues
While that earlier film remains an unfinished chapter in Bollywood history, the epic is now being revived on a much grander scale.
Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor, is already creating massive buzz, promising to be one of the most visually stunning mythological adaptations ever made in Indian cinema.
But the story of Salman’s lost Ramayana film serves as a reminder that even the biggest stars and grandest projects can fall prey to off-screen drama.
