Ever since Rajkumar Santoshi worked with Salman Khan in his 1994 film Andaz Apna Apna, the filmmaker and the star have always shared a special bond
Santoshi made Salman do a special appearance in his 2009 Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif starrer Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.
Salman has now also done a cameo in his upcoming film Phata Poster Nikla Hero starring Shahid Kapoor and Ileana D'Cruz being produced by Ramesh Taurani.
Rajkumar Santoshi
Says a source, `It was Santoshi's idea to have Sallu in the film. He wanted it to be a surprise element but nothing remains a secret in Bollywood when the rest of the cast starts talking about it. Santoshi told the producers about his idea and they left it entirely to him to co-ordinate with Salman. And there was no way he could have not fulfilled his wish.`
For a while now there has also been buzz that Santoshi was keen to make a sequel to Andaz Apna Apna with Salman and Aamir Khan.
Adds a source, `Salman was keen and has even expressed his desire to revisit the comedy but with both the filmmaker and he busy with their other projects, the sequel is on the backburner.`
Special bond
Another filmmaker who is special to Sallu is Sooraj Barjatya. Their association goes over two decades ago -- since his Maine Pyar Kiya days. When Barjatya's niece Vidhi Kasliwal directed Isi Life Mein, Sallu readily did a cameo in her film.