This was Sanjay Leela Bhansali's directorial debut. Bhansali had started his career as an assistant director to Vidhu Vinod Chopra in "Parinda" (1989) and even directed a song in it - "Pyar Ke Mod Pe". His big break came when Chopra gave him the responsibility of directing all the songs in "1942 - A Love Story" (1994). It was based on the success of the songs of "1942 - A Love Story" that Polygram approached Bhansali and finalised this film with him.[1][2][3]
This was the first film that featured Salman Khan and his stepmother, Helen. They worked together again in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's second film "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" (1999).[4]
Manisha Koirala got this film only after Madhuri Dixit had declined it. Sanjay Leela Bhansali tried to get Madhuri for his next film, "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" (1999), as well but was unsuccessful again. He was finally able to get to work with Madhuri in "Devdas" (2002). Even "Devdas" might not have happened. Madhuri was getting married around that time and had asked Bhansali if he was sure he still wanted her. He had said yes![5][6]
The musical motif Salman Khan's character played on the piano in this film was inspired by the song "El Bimbo" (1974) by the French band Bimbo Jet. Jatin - Lalit later developed this tune for the title song of the film "Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin" (1999).[7][8]
Bela Segal, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's sister, debuted as an editor in this film.
There were claims that the German film "Jenseits der Stille" (1996) (English: "Beyond Silence") had plagiarised this film. However, considering the fact that the German film was released just four months after this film, it is possible that the similar theme of the two films - the daughter of deaf-mute parents discovering that she has a talent for music - was just a coincidence. The French film "La Famille Belier" (2014) and its English language remake, the Oscar award-winning "CODA" (2021), also had similar plots.[9]
Singer Shraddha Pandit debuted in this Hindi film.
Song
Bahon Ke Darmiyan - While composing the song, Jatin Pandit had written dummy lyrics for it that went "Aankhon ke darmiyaan / Hum khud se mil rahe hain". When Jatin - Lalit gave the tune to Majrooh Sultanpuri to write lyrics to, Jatin asked him if his lines could be included in the song. Majrooh smilingly said that the words Jatin had written did not mean what he thought they meant. However, he said that he liked the word "darmiyaan" and would include it in his lyrics.
Jana Suno Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain - The tune of this song was plagiarised from Paul Anka's "Bring The Wine" (1974).[10]