The day Salman Khan demonstrated a scene to Shah Rukh Khan for Devdas

The Day Salman Khan Directed Shah Rukh Khan on the Set of 'Devdas'

For over three decades, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have been two of Bollywood's biggest superstars, each delivering iconic blockbusters. Recently spotted at the premiere of Aamir Khan’s latest film, Sitaare Zameen Par, their camaraderie is well-celebrated. However, a lesser-known anecdote from the early 2000s reveals a unique moment shared on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s magnum opus, Devdas.

Devdas, featuring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit, was one of Bollywood's most ambitious projects. Behind the scenes, personal dynamics were intense. Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai were in a relationship after Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, but by the time Devdas went into production, their relationship was strained. Despite this, Salman often visited the sets.

Film critic Anupama Chopra recounted a fascinating incident in her book on Shah Rukh Khan. The scene involved Shah Rukh Khan’s character, Devdas, removing a thorn from Paro’s (Aishwarya Rai) foot. While Shah Rukh, Bhansali, and Aishwarya were working on the scene, Salman, who was present, volunteered to demonstrate how it should be performed.

As the camera rolled, Salman enacted the moment with Aishwarya, capturing the tenderness Bhansali desired. This brief instance saw one superstar subtly directing another in front of the camera.

Interestingly, this impromptu demonstration marked the last time Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai shared space in a film setup. Their personal relationship deteriorated soon after, and professionally, they never crossed paths on screen again.