The bromance between Salman Khan and Govinda in the 2007 romantic comedy Partner didn’t just win hearts — it helped the film become one of Bollywood’s most beloved laugh riots. But while audiences enjoyed the charm and comic timing of the duo on screen, a recent revelation has added a humorous layer to what happened behind the scenes.
In an interview, writer Alok Upadhyay took a trip down memory lane, recounting an amusing incident from the shoot of the now-iconic song Soni De Nakhre. What began as a high-energy dance sequence quickly turned into a reality check about star value and screen presence — at least for the choreographer.
Alok Upadhyay shared that director David Dhawan wasn’t exactly thrilled with the framing choices made during the song. “During the song Soni De Nakhre, the choreographer had put some long shots. David Dhawan, who was sitting with me, said, ‘Ek actor ₹10 crore le raha hai aur ek ₹5 crore le raha hai. 15 crore ke actor ki taange dikhaai ja rahi hain, koi matlab to hai nahi (One actor has charged ₹10 crore, the other ₹5 crore, and we’re just showing their legs? What’s the point?).’”
The laughter didn’t stop there. David, known for his straight-shooting style and knack for commercial success, had a few more words for the choreographer. As Alok recalled, “Yeh jo tu ₹50 ka gamla, ₹300 ki jhaadu, flower aur decoration dikha raha hai, usse picture nahi chalegi. Yeh jo ₹15 crore ke 2 khade hain, unpe close maar (This ₹50 flowerpot, ₹300 broom, flowers and decorations you’re showing — that’s not going to make the film work. Those two standing there, who cost ₹15 crore, get a close-up of them).”
The anecdote not only highlights Dhawan’s razor-sharp commercial instincts but also offers a hilarious reminder of how Bollywood operates behind the glamour — where every frame, quite literally, counts in crores.
Directed by David Dhawan and produced by Sohail Khan and Parag Sanghvi, Partner drew inspiration from the 2005 American film Hitch and starred not only Salman Khan and Govinda, but also Katrina Kaif and Lara Dutta. While the story and comedy clicked with the audience, it’s these moments from behind the camera that continue to entertain, long after the credits rolled.
