<p>"I have always knew that Sonakshi would be in the film industry.. and not just that, but become a big star in the industry. So I used to keep telling her every time to lose weight and now she is here in 'Dabangg'," Salman told PTI.<br /><br />The 23-year-old actress, who will make her debut opposite Salman in the up-coming action film wasn't very keen on acting but finally took the plunge.<br /><br />"I had several times asked Sonakshi do you want to do films..? and she used to say no. I even spoke to Shatru Sahab whether he is fine if she takes up acting to which he said he does not have any problem," Salman said.<br /><br />"Thereafter I called Sonakshi and asked her if she was serious and she said yes," he said.<br />About when and how they zeroed in on Sonakshi for the film, Salman said, "At a party Arbaaz and I spotted her and soon Arbaaz showed keen interest in casting Sonakshi for the role, saying she would fit the bill and would make a good pair with me."<br /><br />"But Arbaaz also doubted if she could be a good actress, to which I asked him to just tell Sonakshi to say 'Khamosh' and she said it aptly...like Shatru Sahab. Soon we selected her and did ask her to attend workshops," the 44-year-old actor said.</p>
<p>"I have always knew that Sonakshi would be in the film industry.. and not just that, but become a big star in the industry. So I used to keep telling her every time to lose weight and now she is here in 'Dabangg'," Salman told PTI.<br /><br />The 23-year-old actress, who will make her debut opposite Salman in the up-coming action film wasn't very keen on acting but finally took the plunge.<br /><br />"I had several times asked Sonakshi do you want to do films..? and she used to say no. I even spoke to Shatru Sahab whether he is fine if she takes up acting to which he said he does not have any problem," Salman said.<br /><br />"Thereafter I called Sonakshi and asked her if she was serious and she said yes," he said.<br />About when and how they zeroed in on Sonakshi for the film, Salman said, "At a party Arbaaz and I spotted her and soon Arbaaz showed keen interest in casting Sonakshi for the role, saying she would fit the bill and would make a good pair with me."<br /><br />"But Arbaaz also doubted if she could be a good actress, to which I asked him to just tell Sonakshi to say 'Khamosh' and she said it aptly...like Shatru Sahab. Soon we selected her and did ask her to attend workshops," the 44-year-old actor said.</p>