Within a decade, three Bollywood films were released, each featuring three lead actors. These films shared numerous similarities. The music of all three was a phenomenal success, and both the music director and director remained the same throughout. Each film portrayed Indian culture. Most notably, all three became box office blockbusters, with two of them regarded as all-time classics: Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun, and Hum Saath Saath Hain.

Let us begin with Maine Pyar Kiya, released on December 29, 1989. The film marked the debut of Salman Khan and Bhagyashree in lead roles. It was a musical romantic drama and also Sooraj Barjatya’s directorial debut. The cast included Laxmikant Berde, Alok Nath, Reema Lagoo, Mohnish Bahl, Rajiv Verma, and Ajit Vachhani. Produced by Tarachand Barjatya of Rajshri Productions, the music was composed by Ram Laxman, with lyrics by Dev Kohli and Asad Bhopali.

The soundtrack was a massive hit, featuring 11 songs. Made on a budget of Rs 2 crore (Rs 28 crore in today’s value), it earned Rs 28 crore worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing film of 1989 and winning six awards. It was also dubbed in Telugu and Tamil, cementing its status as one of Bollywood’s best-known films.

Several cast members, including Alok Nath, Mohnish Bahl, Reema Lagoo, and Salman Khan, later starred together in two other record-breaking films. Bhagyashree, hailing from the Sangli royal family of Maharashtra, was offered the role while still studying.

Sooraj Barjatya reportedly visited her home seven times during casting. Bhagyashree made changes to the script and refused to perform any kissing scenes.

During filming, her boyfriend, Himalaya Dasani, was in USA. She has revealed in interviews that she acted while thinking of him. After shooting concluded, Bhagyashree eloped with Himalaya, a resident of Jaipur who also tried acting.

Hum Aapke Hain Koun, released on August 5, 1994, featured Salman Khan, Alok Nath, and Mohnish Bahl once again, with Madhuri Dixit opposite Salman Khan. It was a remake of the 1981 Rajshri Productions film Nadiya Ke Paar. Despite the familiar story and ending, audiences received it with overwhelming enthusiasm.

It was the first Hindi film to gross Rs 100 crore (approximately US$1.2 billion). Once again, Ram-Laxman composed the music, which included 14 songs, notably the blockbuster Didi Tera Devar Deewana penned by Dev Kohli and Joote De Do, Paise Le Lo.

Made on a budget of Rs 6 crore (US$1.6 million), the film grossed Rs 128 crore worldwide, securing its place as an all-time blockbuster.

The final film in this trio, Hum Saath Saath Hain, was released on November 5, 1999. The cast included Mohnish Bahl, Tabu, Salman Khan, Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, and Karisma Kapoor, with Alok Nath, Reema Lagoo, Shakti Kapoor, Rajiv Verma, Ajit Vachhani, Neelam Kothari, and Mahesh Thakur in supporting roles.

Written and directed by Sooraj Barjatya under Rajshri Productions, this family drama highlighted the importance of family values. It marked the third collaboration between Salman Khan and Sooraj Barjatya, with Salman Khan’s character named ‘Prem’ in all three films.

Produced on a budget of Rs 10 crore, the film grossed Rs 81 crore worldwide. The soundtrack, composed by Ram Laxman, contained seven songs and was another musical blockbuster.