SLB On Salman Khan And Aishwarya Rai's Chemistry On 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' Set, 'There Was Love..'

Today, June 18, 2025, marks 26 glorious years of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s iconic film, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The film originally premiered in 1999 on this very day, and has since remained one of the cult favourites among Bollywood buffs. This was also the time that rumours about Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s relationship started, eventually becoming a much-discussed topic in the industry. In its 26th year of premiere, Sanjay Leela Bhansali opened up about the real-life romance that blossomed on the film’s sets. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali remembers the love on the set of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

During a conversation with ETimes, Bhansali shared some behind-the-scenes anecdotes about his iconic film, Hum Dil Chuke Sanam, starring Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn in lead roles. When asked about the brewing love between Aishwarya and Salman, the filmmaker confirmed that the sizzling chemistry audiences witnessed on screen was very much a reflection of real life. Subtly acknowledging the relationship that had long been the subject of Bollywood gossip columns, Bhansali remarked:

“Yes, there was love in the air. But not just between them; there was a lot of affection among all of us. Zohra Sehgalji, Helen Aunty, Salman, Aishwarya, Smita Jayekar — we were like one big family. I don’t think I’ve had such a fulfilling experience shooting any other film."

Bhansali found the perfect ‘Nandini’ in Aishwarya Rai

Anyone familiar with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s work knows the extent the filmmaker can reach in the quest for perfectionism, be it regarding costume, set designs, and especially the actors whom he selects for particular roles. The perfectionist director explained how he couldn’t think of anyone who would have filled the female lead, ‘Nandini’s’ shoes better than Aishwarya Rai. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali showered praises on Aishwarya Rai’s performance, calling her his dream casting for the role of ‘Nandini’. In the interview, Bhansali highlighted how Aishwarya's grace and screen presence made ‘Nandini’ unforgettable. He was quoted as saying:

“Aishwarya was my perfect Nandini. I couldn’t have asked for a better embodiment of the character I had in mind. She matched my vision exactly — and that’s a rare experience in my filmmaking journey.”

Bhansali recalls he was pressured to change the ending

One of the most intriguing revelations from the interview was about the film’s ending. Bhansali confessed that there was immense pressure on him from multiple sides to unite ‘Sameer ’ with ‘Nandini’ in the climax, and not ‘Vanraj’. However, the director could not be swayed as he stood his ground to keep the ending we know today. He shared:

"I refused to compromise the story just to please the audience. The soul of the film demanded that Nandini choose Vanraj."

This creative decision remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about twists, setting Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam apart from typical romantic fare. Even after 26 years, the film’s bittersweet climax remains one of Hindi cinema’s most beloved endings.

26 years of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) is known as a timeless tale of love and sacrifice which captured hearts with its music, grand visuals, and emotionally charged story. Featuring Salman Khan as ‘Sameer’, Aishwarya Rai as ‘Nandini’, and Ajay Devgn as ‘Vanraj’, the film redefined the Bollywood love triangle and cemented Bhansali’s reputation as a master storyteller.

Image Courtesy: Bhansali Productions Instagram

What are your thoughts on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s recollections from the sets of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam?

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