When Salman Khan Almost Became Lord Ram: The Untold Story of Ramayana’s Lost Film and Sohail’s Costly Mistake

Bollywood is abuzz these days with director Nitesh Tiwari’s mega-budget adaptation of Ramayana, starring Ranbir Kapoor as Lord Ram. The recently released teaser left audiences in awe, and every new update about the project is going viral. But did you know that years before Ranbir Kapoor, superstar Salman Khan was set to play Lord Ram on the big screen? The untold story behind this casting twist is as dramatic as any Bollywood film!

Salman Khan’s Lost Opportunity as Lord Ram

According to industry insiders and old media reports, this all goes back to the 1990s. Salman Khan’s brother, Sohail Khan, had officially announced a film based on the epic Ramayana. Salman was locked in to play the iconic role of Lord Ram, while Sonali Bendre was cast as Sita and Pooja Bhatt was to play a pivotal role as well as direct the film.

The movie wasn’t just a concept—almost 40% of the film had already been shot! Expectations were sky-high, and fans were eager to see their favorite superstar step into the divine shoes of Lord Ram.

A Love Story That Doomed the Film

But the turning point had nothing to do with finances, scripts, or actors’ dates—rather, it was Sohail Khan’s personal life that toppled the project. At that time, Sohail was in a relationship with Pooja Bhatt. When Pooja reportedly raised the subject of marriage, it created a rift; Sohail’s family did not support the match, according to media reports. Feeling let down, Pooja Bhatt decided to walk away from the project altogether. With her exit, the ambitious Ramayana movie came to a standstill and was eventually shelved—leaving audiences and cast members with nothing but what-ifs.

The Tale Resurfaces as Ramayana Returns

Today, as Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana generates hype with a fresh star cast and never-seen-before grandeur, this old story has re-emerged, fascinating fans with the thought of what Bollywood could have witnessed if Salman Khan had played Lord Ram decades ago.

What’s Next for Salman Khan?

While he may have missed the chance to become the silver screen’s Lord Ram, ‘Bhaijaan’ is in no short supply of big projects. He’s currently engrossed in shooting his highly anticipated film, Battle of Galwan, expected to release in 2026 and already generating massive buzz in the industry.

Fan Reactions and Nostalgia

The re-surfacing of this story has sent fans into a frenzy, sparking debates and nostalgia across social media. Many are now wondering how Bollywood history could have changed if Sohail Khan’s personal life hadn’t collided with his professional ambitions. Would Salman have redefined Lord Ram for a new generation?

What about you? Would you have liked to see Salman Khan as Lord Ram? Tell us your thoughts in the comments, and for more exclusive Bollywood stories