By the end of August 1991, the excitement surrounding Saajan had reached unbelievable levels. Months before its release, the soundtrack had already become a nationwide sensation. Cassette sales were breaking records across the country, and from tea stalls and bus stands to college campuses and taxi radios, songs like Dekha Hai Pehli Baar, Bahut Pyar Karte Hain, and Tu Shayar Hai Main Teri Shayari seemed to be playing everywhere. Radio stations were flooded with requests, and film magazines had already begun predicting that Saajan would become another major success.
But unlike the period before Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin, the atmosphere this time was entirely different. Adil Ali was no longer simply a rising star. In just one year, he had transformed into the hottest young actor in India. Producers greeted him with greater respect, senior actors openly praised him, and reporters followed his every movement. Salman Khan often joked that his friend's popularity had become frightening.
One afternoon during promotions at Film City, Salman stared at the crowd gathered outside and sighed dramatically. "Yaar, this is unfair."
Adil laughed. "What happened now?"
Salman pointed toward the gates. "These girls are waiting for you. I'm standing right here and nobody even notices me."
Sitting beside Adil, Madhuri Dixit burst into laughter. "You should be grateful they're letting you stand next to him."
Salman clutched his chest. "See? Betrayed by both of you."
Everyone around them burst out laughing.
Even Shah Rukh Khan, busy shooting Deewana, frequently visited the sets. One evening, after watching hundreds of fans surrounding Adil's car, he whistled in amazement. "Brother, by the time my film releases, security guards will need security guards."
Adil laughed.
Shah Rukh shook his head. "No, seriously. Sometimes I wonder if people realize you're only eighteen."
"Neither do I," Adil replied with a smile.
Finally, August 29, 1991, arrived. The grand premiere of Saajan turned Bombay into a festival. Thousands of fans had gathered outside the theater since afternoon, forcing police to erect barricades to control the crowd. People screamed the names of Adil, Salman, and Madhuri as flashbulbs exploded everywhere. One by one, the biggest names in Bollywood arrived. Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan. Dharmendra and Sunny Deol. Jeetendra. Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Govinda, Subhash Ghai, Yash Chopra, David Dhawan, Boney Kapoor, Sridevi, Juhi Chawla, Rekha, and countless producers and directors. It seemed as if the entire industry had gathered for the occasion.
Shah Rukh Khan arrived directly from the sets of Deewana. Spotting Adil, he immediately spread his arms dramatically. "My brother!"
Both embraced warmly.
"Remember me when you become impossible to meet," Shah Rukh joked.
Adil laughed. "I'll still answer your calls."
"Good," Shah Rukh grinned. "Because I plan to become impossible to meet too."
Soon Salman joined them.
Looking at Shah Rukh, Salman smiled. " You also came. I thought you wouldn't came."
"How can i not come. But this time, director mood was very bad. If movie didn't finish on time. He'll skin me alive" Shah Rukh said with a laugh.
Salman also burst into laughter. Adil couldn't help smiling. In his previous life, he had watched these two legends share the screen countless times. But now, standing between them as friends, he realized history itself was unfolding differently.
A few moments later, Madhuri arrived. Dressed elegantly in a beautiful black saree, she immediately became the center of attention. Yet when her eyes met Adil's, her smile softened. Though they kept their relationship private, those close to them knew that the two were deeply in love. As she approached him, she whispered softly, "You look calm."
Adil smiled. "Outside, maybe. Inside, I'm nervous."
Madhuri laughed softly. "You said the same thing every time" Then, she entered the theater with Adil.
Inside the theater, the atmosphere became electric. Every romantic scene involving Adil and Madhuri was greeted with whistles and cheers. Salman's emotional moments earned loud applause, and when the songs appeared, many people inside the theater began singing along. By the interval, everyone already knew. It's going to be another winner.
Subhash Ghai hugged Lawrence D'Souza enthusiastically. "Fantastic!"
Yash Chopra smiled. "The three leads complement each other beautifully."
Then Amitabh Bachchan himself walked over to Adil.
"Excellent work, young man."
Adil immediately stood up respectfully. "Thank you, Amit ji."
The superstar smiled warmly. "Stay grounded. Success doesn't last forever. Character does."
Adil nodded sincerely.
By the time the film ended, thunderous applause echoed throughout the theater. People rose to their feet, giving another standing ovation. Outside, journalists swarmed the cast while trade analysts were already predicting another blockbuster.
The next day, August 30, Saajan opened across India. Its competition included First Love Letter starring Vivek Mushran and Manisha Koirala, along with several smaller releases. But none possessed the star power or musical craze surrounding Saajan.
Opening day collections stunned the entire industry. Friday brought ₹1.4 crore. Saturday jumped to ₹1.7 crore. Sunday exploded to ₹2 crore. Even more remarkable, the weekdays remained incredibly strong. By the end of its first week, Saajan had collected ₹8 crore, while First Love Letter managed barely ₹1.3 crore.
Trade Guide: "SAAJAN CREATES A STORM!"
The second week brought another ₹6 crore. Theaters started adding extra shows, and black marketers openly charged triple the original ticket price. The third week added another ₹5 crore.
The fourth week added another ₹4 crore, and the fifth week contributed ₹3 crore. Thereafter, the film slowed gradually but continued earning steadily for months. Eventually, Saajan completed its theatrical run with an extraordinary ₹32 crore at the Indian box office. With a budget only ₹4 crore it earned ₹32 crore it became All-Time Blockbuster.
The whole team of Saajan was being praised. Madhuri's fame rose to a new level. Salman khan carried the momentum of his lrevious film, become an instant hit. Everyone praised him. His fame rose.
While Adil's fame also rose.Adil has done three films. All of them are mega blockbusters.
In just in his teen, Adil Ali had become the undisputed sensation of Indian cinema. Producers literally lined up outside his home carrying advance cheques. Some offered ₹25 lakh per film. Others offered ₹30 lakh. One producer even arrived with a briefcase and boldly declared, "Forget the script. Just tell me your price."
Trade magazines began comparing his popularity with Rajesh Khanna during his peak years.
Screen Magazine: "ADIL ALI –THE KING OF ROMANCE FOR THE NEW GENERATION."
Filmfare: "THREE FILMS. THREE BLOCKBUSTERS. SUPERSTAR AT EIGHTEEN."
Stardust: "DREAM BOY OF GIRLS. THE MOST HANDSOME PERSON. THE PRINCE OF INDIA. ADIL ALI"
Trade Guide: "THE GOLDEN BOY OF BOLLYWOOD."
One evening, after finishing a day's shooting, Shah Rukh Khan visited Adil's house. Looking at the mountain of scripts piled on the table, he whistled. "My God."
Adil smiled. "What?"
Shah Rukh shook his head. "You're becoming too rich."
Salman, who happened to be visiting, immediately nodded. "And too handsome."
Both men looked at each other before Salman dramatically extended his hand. "Partnership?"
Shah Rukh shook it seriously. "Against this fellow."
Adil laughed helplessly. Looking at his two friends, he couldn't help smiling. The future Badshah and the future Bhaijaan sat before him, joking and laughing like ordinary young men.
Later that night, after everyone had left, the phone rang. It was Madhuri.
"Congratulations, superstar," she said softly.
Adil smiled. "Our film."
"Our film," she corrected lovingly.
There was a brief silence before she added gently, "You know, I'm proud of you."
Leaning back in his chair and looking at the stars outside his window, Adil smiled.
"And I'm lucky to have you."
Outside, the country celebrated its newest superstar. And deep inside his heart, Adil knew one thing.
This was only the beginning. Because the greatest years of the nineties had not even started yet.