Veteran actress Smita Jaykar has brought back memories of Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s much-discussed romance during the filming of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The actress, who played Aishwarya’s on-screen mother in the 1999 romantic drama, recently recalled an incident in which director Sanjay Leela Bhansali questioned Salman after he touched Aishwarya’s arm during a song sequence.
The anecdote has renewed interest in the film’s behind-the-scenes stories and the chemistry between its lead actors. According to Smita, the relationship between Salman and Aishwarya was developing during the shoot, and their affection was visible to those working on the film.
Smita Jaykar Recalls Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s Romance
In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Smita Jaykar looked back at the atmosphere on the sets of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. She recalled that Salman and Aishwarya appeared deeply affectionate towards each other during that period.
The actress suggested that their real-life emotions contributed to the romantic chemistry audiences eventually saw on screen. Their pairing became one of the memorable aspects of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film, which continues to be discussed decades after its release.
Smita also recalled that the actors sometimes arrived late for scheduled shoots. According to her account, the production team could be waiting for hours, with the two actors occasionally arriving together around 11 am despite an early-morning shift.
Her recollections offer a glimpse into the working environment behind one of Hindi cinema’s best-known romantic dramas.
Why Did Sanjay Leela Bhansali Scold Salman Khan?
One of Smita’s most interesting memories concerns the filming of the song Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan.
According to the actress, Salman had to walk around a table and stop in front of Aishwarya, who was standing nearby. The scene required him to look at her, but it did not call for physical contact.
During the sequence, Salman touched Aishwarya’s arm. Bhansali noticed the unscripted gesture and questioned the actor about why he had done it.
Smita explained that Salman appeared to have acted spontaneously because of his feelings for Aishwarya at the time. The director, however, wanted the scene to follow the planned movements and reprimanded him for departing from the choreography.
The incident reportedly amused people on the set, while Aishwarya blushed. The story has since become another behind-the-scenes anecdote associated with the film.
How Their Real-Life Chemistry Influenced the Film
Released in 1999, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam starred Salman Khan as Sameer, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Nandini and Ajay Devgn as Vanraj.
The story follows Nandini as she falls in love with Sameer, a musician who visits her family, before circumstances lead her to marry Vanraj. The emotional conflict between love, commitment and sacrifice forms the heart of the film.
Smita has previously spoken about how Salman and Aishwarya’s growing affection was visible during filming. In an earlier interview, she said their expressions and romantic chemistry helped bring authenticity to the film’s love story.
The movie also benefited from its memorable soundtrack, dramatic storytelling and Bhansali’s visual style. Songs such as Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan and Chand Chhupa Badal Mein remain closely associated with the film.
Smita Jaykar’s Memories of Salman Khan
Smita’s recollections are particularly interesting because she worked closely with the lead actors during the film’s production. Her comments offer a personal account of the atmosphere on set, rather than a new statement from Salman or Aishwarya themselves.
The actress has also previously described Salman as playful and generous-hearted during the period when they worked together. Her comments about the film’s production have attracted attention because the story of Salman and Aishwarya remains a recurring topic among Bollywood fans.
However, the latest anecdote primarily concerns a specific moment during filming. It should not be treated as evidence of the actors’ present-day relationship or circumstances.
What Happened to Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s Relationship?
Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s relationship became one of Bollywood’s most widely discussed romances in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their on-screen pairing in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam further strengthened public interest in their personal lives.
The relationship eventually ended, and the actors did not reunite as a screen couple in a subsequent film. Aishwarya later married actor Abhishek Bachchan, while Salman continued his career across acting and television.
Even today, stories about the film’s production continue to attract attention, demonstrating the lasting cultural impact of the 1999 drama.
About Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam featured Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Ajay Devgn in the lead roles, with Smita Jaykar playing Aishwarya’s mother.
The film combined romance, family conflict, music and emotional drama. Its performances and soundtrack helped establish it as a significant title in late-1990s Hindi cinema.
Smita Jaykar’s latest recollection adds another chapter to the film’s behind-the-scenes history, bringing attention back to the chemistry and spontaneous moments that shaped its production.
Conclusion
Smita Jaykar’s account has revived interest in Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s romance during Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Her recollection of Sanjay Leela Bhansali questioning Salman over an unscripted gesture offers a glimpse into the film’s production and the emotions that, according to the actress, were visible on set.
More than two decades after its release, the film continues to draw attention for its performances, music and memorable love story.
