Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai affair: Love story or tale of abuse and harassment?

Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan dated for around two years from about 1999 to 2001.

Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan


Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

From their scorching chemistry in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam to the burning controversies that went on for years after they broke up, the Salman Khan-Aishwarya Rai affair has been the subject of much discussion and speculation in Bollywood. The two who were madly in love once, barely even acknowledge each other today, and go the extra mile to avoid running into each other.

So, what went wrong?

FAIRY-TALE BEGINNINGS

Their affair began on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). Bhansali seems to have the magic touch when it comes to creating on-screen and off-screen couples, be it Salman and Aishwarya, or Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone in Bajirao Mastani and Goliyon Ke Rasleela-Ram Leela.

The equation between Salman and Ash was the backbone of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

Things seemed perfect, for a while. Aishwarya made a cameo as Salman’s girlfriend in Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam. Aishwarya became close to Salman’s family, and was part of all their family events. She developed a strong bond with his sisters, Arpita and Alvira Khan. However, Ash’s family was against the relationship and made no secret of it.

SALMAN’S VIOLENT BEHAVIOUR

In November 2001, eyewitnesses say that Salman reached Aishwarya’s apartment and kept banging on the door, asking to be let in. Some say that he even threatened to commit suicide if she didn’t let him in. The drama continued till 3am in the morning, and finally she let him in. Apparently, his hands were bleeding. According to sources, the reason behind the spectacle was that he wanted a promise of marriage from Ash. However, she was in no hurry to get married, back then.

Salman later said in an interview that she wasn’t returning his love, and that he was forced to turn violent.

“If you won’t fight, that means there is no love between you, I will not fight with an outsider; when we fight, it is all because of our love,” he maintained stoically. Ash, clearly didn’t think so.

The turning point that marked the end of the relationship was when Salman went to USA to help his ex-girlfriend, Somy Ali, without informing Ash, who was obviously furious about it. It was only downhill after this.

THE UGLY END

Aishwarya later confirmed her break-up with Salman in 2002, and said that he wasn’t able to come to terms with it. By this time, Salman was creating chaos in Aishwarya’s professional life as well. He reportedly showed up on the sets of Shah Rukh Khan’s Chalte Chalte, and tried to drag her away. Aishwarya later said that he suspected her of having an affair with SRK. He even got into a fight with SRK, and many said that he held him by the collar. Salman denied this. However, Ash lost the role, and the film went to Rani Mukerji.

Later, Aishwarya also said that the “Salman chapter was the worst” in her life, and that she was glad she was out of it.

“He would call me up after the break-up and talk rubbish. He suspected me of having affairs with my co-stars. There were times that he got physical with me, luckily without leaving marks. I would go to work as if nothing had happened,” she said at the time.

So, far from a story of smouldering passions, it is clearly is a tale of abuse and harassment. Yet, this would never be slotted in such a category, because…Bhai is bhai.

When Aishwarya Rai issued a SHOCKING statement after breaking up with Salman Khan: ‘I was at the receiving end of his abuse, infidelity and indignity’

Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan’s break-up was one of the ugliest break-ups of Bollywood. In 2002, Aishwarya issued a clarification where she wrote, “For the sake of my well-being, my sanity, my dignity and the dignity and self-respect of my family — ENOUGH! I will not work with Mr Salman Khan. The Salman chapter was a nightmare in my life and I am thankful to God that it is over!” The statement further stated, “While I have maintained a dignified silence about him and his wrong-doings, he (his family and friends) has repeatedly attacked the respect, dignity, and pride of me and my family (with irresponsible rumour-mongering.

I stood by him enduring alcoholism, misbehavior in worse phases and in turn, I was at the receiving end of his abuse (verbal, physical, emotional), infidelity, and indignity.” She concluded her statement with, “I do not want to get into the gory details and obnoxious experiences, which incite washing dirty linen and other ugly untruths. For a long time now, they have time and again tried to wreck my peace and sanity both personally and professionally. But they’ll forget no one can play God because there is God! That is the only truth.” For more news and updates, stay tuned to ETimes.