Did you know Salman Khan initially dismissed 'Garv' as a Sunny Deol genre film before embracing the cop role?

Before Salman Khan became famous for his iconic cop role in 'Dabangg', complete with aviators and his signature belt moves, he had already portrayed a police officer in Puneet Issar’s 2004 movie 'Garv: Pride and Honour'. Puneet recently shared that Khan was initially reluctant about the film, referring to it as a ‘Sunny Deol style’ project.
Salman’s Initial Hesitation
In an interview on the YouTube channel Digital Commentary, Puneet shared that he and Salman Khan have been friends for a long time and have worked together as actors. He mentioned that he had once told Salman about a story he was writing, which turned out to be Garv. After hearing the plot, Salman liked it but questioned why Puneet came to him with it, as he felt the film was more suited to Sunny Deol's style. Salman, at the time, wasn't known for doing such films.
Breaking the ‘Lover Boy’ Image
Issar further shared that he suggested to Salman that Garv was the perfect opportunity for him to break away from his 'lover boy' image. He explained that Salman was known for comedy roles in films like Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Biwi No 1, and Judwaa, and it was time for a change. After reading the script, Salman liked the story and agreed to take on the role. Issar also compared actors to wild horses, saying that only those who know how to ride them can truly bring out their potential. He praised Salman for fully committing to the role, calling him a true friend who completely surrendered to the character.
The Iconic Cross Sign
Discussing the well-known cross sign made by Salman’s character in 'Garv', Puneet revealed that it was inspired by his personal habit. He confessed, “I tend to cancel out people I don’t like,” and noted that Salman had a similar outlook, which helped them connect effortlessly.
About Garv: Pride and Honour
'Garv: Pride and Honour', which marked Puneet Issar’s directorial debut, featured an ensemble cast including Salman Khan as Inspector Arjun Ranawat, Shilpa Shetty as Jannat, Arbaaz Khan as Inspector Hyder Ali, and the legendary Amrish Puri as Inspector Samar Singh. The film, released in 2004, is known for its action-packed narrative and strong performances by its lead actors.