Siddharth Anand Revealed The Original Story Of 'Salaam Namaste': An India Pakistan Based Rom-Com?

Bollywood director, Siddharth Anand has made a name for himself with his intense action films such as Bang Bang, Pathaan, and War. However, before venturing into the fictional world of blazing guns and power-packed fight scenes, the filmmaker was popular for his sweet and funny rom-coms. Whether Hum Tum, Salaam Namaste, or Anjaana Anjaani and more, Siddharth was the director behind all these popular Bollywood rom-coms. 

Talking about his early days as a director and his debut movie, Salaam Namaste, Siddharth Anand revealed some surprising facts regarding the original screenplay of the film, which starred Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles. The director revealed that it was supposed to have an angle of India and Pakistan. Read on to know more about its original story. 

Siddharth Anand made his directorial debut with Salaam Namaste 

Siddharth Anand made his directorial debut under the Yash Raj Film banner. He directed the film Salaam Namaste, starring Preity Zinta and Saif Ali Khan as 'Ambar' and 'Nikhil', respectively. The film showcases two 'independent and modern' Indians living in Australia who decide to start living together. But an unexpected pregnancy, disagreements, and a breakup, lead to many twists and turns. Even though the theme of the movie was considered controversial, Salaam Namaste, was a commercial hit. In an interview with Zoom, Siddharth Anand talked about his debut movie and said: 

"I’m a big critic of my own films. So with that in mind, I truly feel Salaam Namaste is a film that’s aged well. And this one is a tough genre to keep up with time. The credit for this should go to the entire team. Adi (Aditya Chopra) for believing in a young kid in me who was a reluctant director. He saw a director in me before I did. Gave me freedom and the budget."

Siddharth Anand revealed that the original story of Salaam Namaste had an India-Pakistan angle 

Siddharth Anand, while talking to Bollywood Hungama, revealed the original screenplay of Salaam Namaste, which was very different from what was written later and released. The director said that Preity Zinta was supposed to be a Pakistani girl and Saif Ali Khan, an Indian boy. Both of them live in Australia, meet there, and then fall in love. The unexpected pregnancy, which was the theme of the movie, was not a part of the original story at all. In the original story, the families of the couple arrive at the house where they are living together. Meanwhile, the couple has to pretend that they are roommates who hate each other. The director said that was the reason why the film was named Salaam Namaste, for India and Pakistan. 

Netizens said that Siddharth Anand's Salaam Namaste was copied from the Hollywood film, Nine Months 

Many people commented on this interview and said that after Siddharth Anand changed the story, he went ahead and copied the Hollywood film, Nine Months, released in 1995. Both the films have a similar theme of unexpected pregnancy and the male lead running away from his responsibility, and the female lead breaking up with him over this. However, whether the film was a remake or a copy remains debatable since there is no official statement on the matter. One of the comments said that they found a DVD of Nine Months, and remade it. 

Siddharth Anand's next project, King will star Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan 

Siddharth Anand's next project is the film, King. The film will be starring Sha Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Suhana Khan and Abhay Verma. Shooting for the film has already started, and as per a PeepingMoon report, the filmmakers are anticipating a Gandhi Jayanti release in 2026. The movie is promised to be a grand experience, and hence, a holiday release is being considered for a good box office opening. Reportedly, Shah Rukh Khan will be joining the team later for the shoot. Meanwhile, the initial schedule will be starting with Suhana Khan and Abhay Verma. 

Watch the video here. 

What are your thoughts on the original story of Salaam Namaste? 

Also Read: Siddharth Anand's Cryptic Post On 'Insecurity' Raises Eyebrows, Fans Link It To Akshay's 'Sky Force'

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