The producer and director of Kurbaan in the year 1987 had started a film and shot for about 10 reels but problems shelved the film, which was titled No.1 and shot in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, East Africa. It starred Mithun Chakravorty, Dimple Kapadia, Anita Raaj, Kimi Katkar, Ranjeet, and Danny Denzongpa, and all the stars were in Tanzania for shooting. The film was to be a James-Bond-type film and was written by K.K.Shukla, and some songs were recorded and also picturised. Music was composed by Laxmikant-Pyarelal.
The film was signed before the release of Maine Pyar Kiya. When narrated to Kabir Bedi, he was told it would be a action vendetta film where he would be pitted against Sunil Dutt. The film would focus on their hatred. By the time Maine Pyar Kiya released, Salman had become a sensation. The producer told Deepak Bahry to concentrate on the young lead pair (Salman, Ayesha) and make it a love story.
Deepak Bahry narrated the film to Juhi Chawla in 1988. This was right after Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. Juhi did not want to star with a unknown newcomer and declined the film.
This was going to be Salman Khan's next release after Maine Pyar Kiya. But for some reason Salman had more faith in his other films, especially Patthar Ke Phool. So Salman kept delaying Kurbaan by not giving dates.
Bubby Kent was a friend of Salman's and when launching Kurbaan in 1988 was searching for a heroine. He approached Juhi Chawla and Neelam, who both politely declined. Although Neelam signed other films with Salman, he would hold a grudge against Juhi and would never work opposite her.