What Really Ended Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s Romance? Insider Reveals All

May 27, 2025: Over two decades after their alleged romance ended, new details have emerged about the once-rumoured relationship between Bollywood stars Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan. The two actors reportedly fell in love while filming Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in 1999. Although neither Aishwarya nor Salman ever publicly confirmed the relationship, their split in 2002 made headlines — and has remained a subject of intense public curiosity ever since.

Now, in a fresh revelation, journalist Hanif Zaveri has spoken about the relationship in an episode of the Meri Saheli podcast titled Bollywood’s Famous Controversial Love Stories. Zaveri claimed that while both stars were serious about each other, tensions surrounding Salman’s image and his past relationships contributed to their eventual breakup.

“Salman and Aishwarya were in love and wanted the relationship to move forward,” Zaveri said in Hindi. “But Salman’s name was still being linked with other actresses like Somy Ali and Sangeeta Bijlani, who were his former girlfriends. Aishwarya’s parents weren’t happy about this. They began to suspect his intentions.”

Zaveri also claimed that Salman wanted to marry Aishwarya quickly, but she wasn’t ready to settle down at that point in her career. According to him, this difference in priorities led to a rift between the two.

One particular incident seemed to become a turning point in their strained relationship. “Salman allegedly knocked on Aishwarya’s door late at night and caused a scene,” Zaveri said. “It led to complaints from neighbours. Aishwarya was deeply disturbed by the incident and chose to back out of the relationship.”

The two never worked together again after their final film Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam released in 2002. Aishwarya went on to marry actor Abhishek Bachchan in 2007, while Salman Khan has remained unmarried.

Despite the years that have passed, the Salman-Aishwarya chapter remains one of the most speculated love stories in Bollywood — and Zaveri’s recent revelations have reignited public interest.