The Bollywood diva who lit up the screen in the golden era of Bollywood but her off-screen tale from surprise crushes to wishful proposals is what truly stole the show. Not many can say they were discovered by Yash Chopra but Poonam Dhillon was. At just 16 she made her debut in Trishul (1978) and quickly rose to fame in the ’80s. From working with the biggest stars to being constantly in the limelight Poonam became a household name. At one point her name was even linked romantically with Chopra but she dismissed the buzz calling it “just a rumour.” If you were younger Id marry you… In 1984 Poonam worked with Sunil Dutt in Laila where he played her father. Behind the scenes though she once joked to him “If you were younger I would have married you.” Dutt was not just her co-star; he was also the father of Bollywood’s Sanju Baba Sanjay Dutt. The real wedding and a short-lived marriage Though she fantasised about marrying Sunil Dutt Poonam eventually tied the knot with producer Ashok Thakeria in 1988. But the marriage ended in 1997 just nine years later. Since then she has chosen to remain single. Crush on Salman Khan? As fate would have it Poonam was already married when Salman Khan made his screen debut in Rekha’s Biwi Ho Toh Aisi (1988). Despite being three years older she had a soft spot for the newcomer. She once said “He’s cute” and openly admired his charm. Salman later became a breakout star in Maine Pyar Kiya (1989).