EXCLUSIVE: Kabir Bedi Reveals Salman Khan & Ayesha Jhulka’s Romantic Songs Boosted Kurbaan’s Popularity
Kabir Bedi, a renowned international actor with a career spanning Bollywood, Hollywood, and European cinema, recently shared some behind-the-scenes details about the 1991 film *Kurbaan* in an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble. Best known for his role as the villain’s henchman in the James Bond film *Octopussy* and his lead role in the TV series *Sandokan*, Bedi revealed how Salman Khan and Ayesha Jhulka’s romantic tracks transformed the fate of *Kurbaan*.
Bedi recalled how Salman Khan’s growing stardom significantly influenced the movie’s success. He shared that the producer initially approached him with the idea of casting two legendary actors, himself and Sunil Dutt, in pivotal roles. However, the film also needed a younger couple for romantic sequences. Bedi recommended Salman Khan, who was just starting his career at the time, suggesting him for the role because of his emerging talent. Ayesha Jhulka was then cast as his co-star.
As the film’s production progressed, Salman’s career skyrocketed with four consecutive hits, which led to his role in *Kurbaan* being expanded. Bedi explained that the film’s producer decided to add more romantic songs featuring Salman and Ayesha to capitalize on the actor’s newfound popularity. “Originally, the film focused on the storyline between Dutt sahab and me, but as Salman’s stardom grew, his presence in the film increased, resulting in longer romantic sequences,” Bedi revealed.
Despite these changes, Bedi holds no resentment towards Salman. He praised the actor for his generosity and kind-hearted nature, highlighting Salman’s reputation for helping people in the industry. “Salman is one of the most generous actors I know. He has a big heart, and no one knows the extent of the people he’s helped,” Bedi said, adding, “He’s not just a great actor and superstar but also a wonderful person.”
In the end, Salman Khan and Ayesha Jhulka’s romantic tracks dominated *Kurbaan*, boosting its popularity and leaving a lasting impression on audiences.
