In the world of Bollywood, there are a few actors who have become synonymous with one of their character names, Shah Rukh Khan as “Raj/Rahul”, Amitabh Bachchan as “Vijay” and of course, Salman Khan’s portrayal of "Prem". From the late '90s to today, Prem has charmed us with his innocence, humor and romantic gestures.
Salman Khan took on the name Prem in his first lead role in the 1989 hit film Maine Pyar Kiya. He showed us how far a lover boy would go to get the girl of his dreams. It seems as if the success of the film, and his character, is what led him to play Prem in at least 15 other Bollywood movies!
Prem became more than just a role, it became an identity that fans associate directly with Salman Khan. Over the years, Prem’s character evolved, but his core traits - playful, kind, and loyal remained constant, captivating audiences across generations.
Before the action packed films, Salman Khan was well known for his romantic, comedic and family oriented roles. Throughout the 90s, we witnessed some of Salman Khan’s most iconic roles as Prem. From the goofy best friend in Andaz Apna Apna and playful romantic in Hum Aapke Hain Koun to the shy yet fiercely loyal brother in Hum Saath Saath Hain, these films were some of the best hits of the decade.
From iconic dialogues like “dosti ka ek usool hai, no sorry, no thank you” to several memorable song sequences, the Prem character has etched itself into Bollywood history. In the end, “Prem” isn’t just a name—it's a phenomenon, a hallmark of Salman Khan’s illustrious career, and an example of how a single role can elevate an actor to legendary status.
List of films where Salman Khan has played the character "Prem":
- Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)
- Andaz Apna Apna (1994)
- Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994)
- Judwaa (1997)
- Deewana Mastana (1997)
- Biwi No. 1 (1999)
- Sirf Tum (1999)
- Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999)
- Chal Mere Bhai (2000)
- Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaaye (2000)
- No Entry (2005)
- Partner (2007)
- Marigold (2007)
- Ready (2011)
- Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)