If you grew up in the Eighties, then its unlikely that Maine Pyar Kiya - starring Salman Khan and Bhagyashree and directed by Sooraj Barjatya - did not, in some way, form at least some of your ideas about the dynamics between men and women and how romances ought to be conducted. MPK, as it became known, released on December 29, 1989 and to celebrate it's 25th anniversary, here are 10 things about the film only a true fan would know.
1. Salman Khan wasn't the first choice for the role of Prem - far from it. Vindoo Dara Singh, Deepak Tijori and Faraaz Khan - son of Yusuf Khan who played the villainous Zabisco in Amar Akbar Anthony - were reportedly considered before Salman was cast.
2. Salman and actor Mohnish Bahl auditioned for MPK together. They ended up playing hero and villain. In two subsequent Barjatya productions, they played brothers - Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Saath Saath Hain.
3. MPK was not Salman's debut film. He appeared in Biwi Ho Toh Aisi the year before in a supporting role.
4. Salman reportedly got no film offers for a whole year after MPK.
5. Costumes and props used in the films became so popular that they went on sale as merchandise - like the cap that read 'FRIEND.'
6. Before MPK, Bhagyashree co-starred with now-director Ashutosh Gowariker in the TV serial Kachchi Dhoop, Amol Palekar's adaptation of the novel Little Women.
7. Many of the film's cast went on to become Barjatya regulars, appearing in at least one more Barjatya film - Alok Nath, Reema Lagoo, Ajit Vachani, Rajeev Verma, Mohnish Behl, Laxmikanth Berde and, of course, Salman himself.
8. Actress Pervin Dastur was picked from the Mumbai theatre scene to play the vampy Seema. She only appeared in one other film, 1997's little known Dil Ke Jharokhe Mein.
9. The first scene that was filmed was the one between Salman and his father, played by Rajeev Verma, in the office. Filming took place in Mumbai and Ooty.
10. Until Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge came along in 1995, MPK held the record for the maximum Filmfare Awards, winning seven out of 13 nominations. DDLJ took over with 10 wins. The record is currently held by Black, with 11 wins.
