MUMBAI: Family scored over business interests for Salman Khan, who gave his younger brother Sohail priority when a queue of filmmakers like Anees Bazmee, Sooraj Barjatya and Sajid Nadiadwala waited to meet him here and discuss projects earlier this week.

Salman landed in Mumbai early Wednesday morning when filmmakers rushed to meet the actor before he could leave for his next appointment at the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) weekend and awards in Singapore.

Bazmee has been waiting for months to narrate the sequel to "No Entry" to the star, while Subhash Ghai was part of the list of filmmakers awaiting a meeting with Salman too.

But first Salman has given the green signal to the commencement of two pending projects — Sohail’s "Sher Khan", followed by Shirish Kunder’s "Kick".

Work on "Sher Khan" will begin after Arbaaz Khan’s "Dabangg 2".

"Salman wants to start ‘Sher Khan’ and ‘Kick’ before the year ends. Both Sohail and Sajid Nadiadwala (producer of ‘Kick’) have waited patiently. And Salmam values loyalty above all else," said one of Salman’s friend.

The leading lady of "Sher Khan" is yet to be finalised.

So what happens to the other filmmakers whose projects have also been waiting for long for their turn?

"These would have to wait. For now it’s family Arbaaz, Sohail and Sajid. The rest will follow next year," said the friend on condition of anonymity.