Salman Khan has played a character named Prem in at least 15 films, starting with his first lead role in Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) and running through Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Biwi No.1, No Entry, Partner, Ready and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015). He returned as Prem in a cameo in Judwaa 2 (2017).
We first wrote this list for Salman’s birthday in 2020. It still comes up every December, so we have checked every role name again for this 2026 update. A few character surnames were wrong in the original, and they are fixed below.
Salman Khan Prem movies: quick list
| # | Film | Year | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine Pyar Kiya | 1989 | Prem Choudhary |
| 2 | Andaz Apna Apna | 1994 | Prem Bhopali |
| 3 | Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! | 1994 | Prem Nath |
| 4 | Judwaa | 1997 | Raja and Prem (double role) |
| 5 | Deewana Mastana | 1997 | Prem Kumar (cameo) |
| 6 | Biwi No.1 | 1999 | Prem Mehra |
| 7 | Sirf Tum | 1999 | Prem (cameo) |
| 8 | Hum Saath-Saath Hain | 1999 | Prem Chaturvedi |
| 9 | Chal Mere Bhai | 2000 | Prem Oberoi |
| 10 | Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye | 2000 | Prem Kapoor |
| 11 | No Entry | 2005 | Prem Khanna |
| 12 | Partner | 2007 | Prem |
| 13 | Marigold | 2007 | Prem |
| 14 | Ready | 2011 | Prem Kapoor |
| 15 | Prem Ratan Dhan Payo | 2015 | Prem Dilwale and Yuvraj Vijay Singh |
1. Maine Pyar Kiya (1989): Prem Choudhary
This is where it all began. In his first lead role, Salman plays Prem Choudhary, a young man in love. The film made Prem the name audiences tied to him, and he kept coming back to it for the next 26 years.
2. Andaz Apna Apna (1994): Prem Bhopali
A very different Prem. As Prem Bhopali, Salman goes full comedy, and the film remains one of the most loved and most quoted comedies of the 1990s. It showed he could be funny as well as romantic.
3. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994): Prem Nath
In Sooraj Barjatya’s family drama, Prem Nath is the ideal brother-in-law, son and lover all at once. For many fans who grew up in the 1990s, this is the definitive Prem.
4. Judwaa (1997): Raja and Prem
Salman plays a double role, Raja and Prem. Prem is the shy NRI who returns to India and finds love, and much of the comedy comes from people mixing up the two.
5. Deewana Mastana (1997): Prem Kumar
A short guest appearance as Prem Kumar. It is a small part, but fans count it because the name is Prem once again.
6. Biwi No.1 (1999): Prem Mehra
Prem is a married man who strays, and the film is about how his wife wins him back. By the end he returns to his wife and children.
7. Sirf Tum (1999): Prem
Another guest appearance as Prem. By 1999, the name had become so tied to Salman that even his cameos used it.
8. Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999): Prem Chaturvedi
Salman returned to the big family drama with this film. Prem Chaturvedi is the obedient son, caring brother and devoted husband, the same values that made his 1994 Prem so popular.
9. Chal Mere Bhai (2000): Prem Oberoi
Salman plays Prem Oberoi, the younger brother of Sanjay Dutt’s character. It is a lighter role, built on the bond between the two brothers.
10. Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2000): Prem Kapoor
As Prem Kapoor, Salman plays a man whose story suggests that real love sometimes means letting go. It is one of his more emotional Prem roles.
11. No Entry (2005): Prem Khanna
As Prem Khanna, Salman plays a married Casanova in this comedy. Prem eventually realises his true feelings, but only after plenty of chaos.
12. Partner (2007): Prem
Here Prem is a love guru. He then falls for a single mother and has to win over her son as well.
13. Marigold (2007): Prem
An English-language film in which Prem is a host who falls for a tourist. He gives up his love for her to respect his parents’ wishes.
14. Ready (2011): Prem Kapoor
Prem Kapoor is a smart, playful lover who goes to great lengths to win the woman he loves. It brought the old Prem charm into Salman’s action-comedy era.
15. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015): Prem Dilwale
The last full Prem so far. Salman plays a double role, Prem Dilwale and Yuvraj Vijay Singh, a prince. Prem ends up caring for the royal family as his own.
Bonus: Judwaa 2 (2017)
Salman made a cameo as Raja and Prem in Judwaa 2, a nod to his 1997 film. It is the most recent time the name has appeared on screen with him.
Why Prem works for Salman Khan
Most of these roles share the same traits: a loyal son, a protective brother and a lover who puts family first. Hum Aapke Hain Koun built that image, and other films borrowed the name to cash in on it. Even comedies like No Entry and Partner kept the name while making Prem more of a flirt.
The list also shows how often the name turns up as a cameo. Deewana Mastana, Sirf Tum and Judwaa 2 all used it for short appearances, which says a lot about how strongly fans link Prem to Salman.
Will Salman Khan play Prem again?
Not yet. Since 2015 he has mostly played action heroes. His recent releases include Tiger 3 (2023), Sikandar (2025), and a special appearance in the Hindi-Marathi film Raja Shivaji (2026). His next film listed as in post-production is Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace, where he plays Colonel B. Santosh Babu.
For more on the star, see our celebrity stories and Bollywood news.
Frequently asked questions
In how many films has Salman Khan played Prem?
At least 15 films, from Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) to Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), plus a cameo as Prem in Judwaa 2 (2017).
What was Salman Khan’s first film as Prem?
Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), where he played Prem Choudhary. It was his first lead role.
What is Salman Khan’s name in Hum Aapke Hain Koun?
He plays Prem Nath, the younger brother who falls for Nisha, played by Madhuri Dixit.
Is Salman Khan Prem in Andaz Apna Apna?
Yes. He plays Prem Bhopali, opposite Aamir Khan’s Amar Manohar.
Sources: Wikipedia: Salman Khan filmography, Wikipedia: Salman Khan.
