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

When Salman Khan Showed Shah Rukh Khan How to Act in 'Devdas'

For over three decades, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have dominated Bollywood, each delivering iconic blockbusters. Recently, they were seen at the premiere of Aamir Khan's "Sitaare Zameen Par," celebrating a camaraderie marked by occasional clashes. However, a lesser-known story from the early 2000s reveals a unique moment between them on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ambitious project, "Devdas."

"Devdas" was a monumental undertaking, boasting a dream cast including Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit. Behind the scenes, the personal relationships were as intense as the film’s drama. Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai were in a relationship after "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam," but by the time "Devdas" began production, their relationship was strained. Despite this, Salman frequently visited the set.

Film critic and journalist Anupama Chopra recounted an intriguing incident in her book about Shah Rukh Khan. The scene being filmed involved Shah Rukh Khan's character, Devdas, removing a thorn from Paro’s (Aishwarya Rai) foot—a tender, romantic moment. As Shah Rukh, Bhansali, and Aishwarya worked on the scene, Salman, who was present, offered to demonstrate how it should be performed.

With the camera rolling, Salman enacted the moment with Aishwarya, capturing the tenderness and emotion Bhansali sought. 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 a film set. Their personal relationship deteriorated soon after, and they never worked together on screen again.