For over three decades, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have reigned as two of Bollywood’s biggest superstars, individually delivering some of Indian cinema’s most iconic blockbusters. The two of them were recently spotted attending the premiere of Aamir Khan’s latest film Sitaare Zameen Par. Fans have celebrated their camaraderie and occasional clashes over the years, there’s a lesser-known anecdote from the early 2000s that offers a glimpse into a unique moment they shared — and it happened on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus Devdas.At the time, Devdas was one of the most ambitious projects being made in Bollywood, with a dream cast featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit. Behind the scenes, however, personal dynamics were as intense as the film’s dramatic storyline. It’s a well-documented fact that Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai were in a relationship after starring together in Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. But by the time Devdas went into production, their relationship was strained and reportedly nearing its end. Despite the tensions, Salman would often visit the Devdas sets.In her book on Shah Rukh Khan, film critic and journalist Anupama Chopra recounted a fascinating incident from those days. The scene being shot involved Shah Rukh Khan’s character Devdas removing a thorn from Paro’s (Aishwarya Rai) foot — a delicate, romantic moment between the lead pair. While Shah Rukh, Bhansali, and Aishwarya were executing the scene, Salman, who was present on set, volunteered to demonstrate how the scene should be performed. As the camera rolled, Salman enacted the moment with Aishwarya, capturing the tenderness and emotion Bhansali wanted. It was a brief but poignant instance where one superstar subtly directed another in front of the lens.Interestingly, this impromptu scene demonstration also marked the last time Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai ever shared space in a film setup. Their personal equation deteriorated soon after, and professionally too, they never crossed paths on screen again.
