As Bollywood superstar Salman Khan celebrates his 60th birthday today, fans and media are reflecting not only on his remarkable cinematic journey but also on some of the most talked-about controversies of his life.
Over the years, the Bhaijaan of Bollywood has been at the center of numerous high-profile incidents that combined his personal and professional worlds, sparking debates and headlines across Bollywood. One chapter, in particular, involving Aishwarya Rai and several major films of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, remains one of the most controversial.
What was the controversy?
According to Kaveree Bamzai’s book, The Three Khans and the Emergence of New India, Salman Khan was reportedly the reason Aishwarya Rai was dropped from not just one, but three Shah Rukh Khan films. The book notes, “Salman Khan halted the shooting of Chalte Chalte and was inconsolable for the next four and a half hours. Aziz Mirza was forced to cancel the film. This not only cost Aishwarya Rai Bachchan the opportunity to be removed from Chalte Chalte, but also Shah Rukh Khan’s Veer-Zaara and Main Hoon Na.” These films were later recast with Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, and Sushmita Sen, all of whom went on to achieve huge success.
How on-set chaos changed casting decisions
The shooting of Chalte Chalte was underway, and Aishwarya Rai had already begun working on the project. Reports suggest that during a song shoot in late 2000, Salman Khan arrived on set in a drunk state, and caused a ruckus, leaving production no choice but to replace her. A similar incident had occurred a year earlier during Kuch Naa Kaho, where Salman reportedly objected to Aishwarya working with Abhishek Bachchan. These repeated disruptions affected filmmakers’ decisions and ultimately led to the casting of three major projects being changed.
The relationship between Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai
Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai reportedly grew close while filming Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in the late 1990s. Their on-screen chemistry translated into a real-life romance, making them one of Bollywood’s most high-profile couples. At the time, Aishwarya was at the peak of her career, having won Miss World, and Salman was already an established superstar. They were frequently seen together at events and family gatherings, gaining admiration as a glamorous power couple.
More about Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan
The relationship ended on a difficult and public note. Aishwarya later chose to step away for her well-being, while Salman mostly avoided discussing the breakup. Over the years, Aishwarya rebuilt her personal and professional life, while Salman continued to dominate Indian cinema. Even today, as he celebrates a milestone birthday, this episode continues to fascinate fans and media alike.