Salman Khan has been a key part of several Sooraj Barjatya films, including Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Saath Saath Hain. However, when casting for Vivah, Barjatya chose Shahid Kapoor instead, as he wanted actors who looked young and innocent. Ultimately, Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao were cast in the film.
In an interview, Sooraj Barjatya revealed that after Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon failed at the box office, Salman Khan expressed interest in collaborating again. However, Barjatya did not have a suitable story for him at that time, as Vivah was a script given to him by his father. He remained firm in his decision not to compromise on casting.
Barjatya explained that Vivah required innocence and youth, qualities he believed Salman, being a major star, no longer fit. He stated that age is inevitable, which led to Shahid and Amrita being cast.
Despite being selected, Shahid Kapoor was initially hesitant and asked to be replaced. He later recalled how Sooraj Barjatya supported him during a challenging phase in his career. Shahid shared that Barjatya reassured him, saying that if he simply performed in front of the camera, the rest would be taken care of. Vivah eventually became his biggest hit at the time.
Released in 2006, Vivah emerged as a top-grossing film and marked a turning point in Shahid’s career. It also remains one of the most notable films in Amrita Rao’s filmography.
