Sanjay Leela Bhansali was close friends with Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai, but following their breakup, he felt cornered and hurt.
Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan’s painful breakup has been one of the most disappointing and surprising fallouts, complete with explosive interviews. The entire industry, which was friendly with the couple, had to pick a side, and Aish showed her dissatisfaction in numerous interviews. Sanjay Leela Bhansali was one of the friends caught in the middle of this fallout.
Bhansali cast Aish and Salman together in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam after Kareena Kapoor Khan declined the opportunity to make her debut in this magnificent gem of a movie. But, accidentally, Bhansali created Bollywood’s most sad love story, both on and off screen!
Now, Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan dated while filming Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and the two had a terrible fallout in 2001, as is well documented. But what is less well-known is Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s connection with the two, which developed amid their painful breakup. He had to select a side, and he initially chose Salman, only to switch to Aish a few years later.
Sanjay Leela Bhansali disclosed in an open confession on Koffee With Karan how a headline caused his falling out with Aishwarya Rai. Aishwarya Walked Out of Bajirao Mastani, and read the headline. At first, Salman and Aish were planning a movie.
The director of Heeramandi said, “I was offended that Aishwarya wasn’t acting like a Mastani
She plays a major role in my work, in my opinion. And my friendship with Salman is too. I felt stuck; I wanted to support her too. Because she believed I wasn’t a good enough friend to see her in the hospital, we didn’t cross paths for 1.5 years. However, I thought that in a friendship, it is appropriate to communicate your hurt. I wanted her to return home and recuperate.
When Aishwarya Rai appeared on the Koffee Couch with Bhansali, she disclosed that she was hospitalized and expressed her disappointment that the director had not come to see her, even though she had been in critical condition for 1.5 months.
Bhansali was offended that Aish did not think to talk to her before telling the media that she was leaving Bajirao Mastani! They eventually resolved the misunderstanding, though.
