September 17, 2025: Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai once captivated Bollywood, but their highly publicized breakup in 2002 was marred by controversy and rumors. The split, which was followed by allegations of abuse, dominated media coverage across India.
Aishwarya’s primary hurt, wasn’t the breakup itself, but the industry’s reaction. “She felt abandoned, as everyone seemed to side with Salman, leaving her isolated,” this was revealed in a recent interview with ad filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar, the industry insider revealed that Aishwarya found freedom in the separation, calling it a “huge relief.”
Aishwarya Rai Reflects on Painful Breakup: ‘I Was Abandoned by All
However, the aftermath was not without emotional tolls. explained. Aishwarya’s trust in the Bollywood industry wavered as she saw how unfairly she was treated during this time. Kakkar also recalled incidents where Salman’s alleged obsessive behavior was evident, including late-night disturbances at their shared building, where he was reportedly seen shouting and banging his head against the wall.
Further shedding light on the industry’s treatment of Aishwarya, the actress revealed in a conversation with Simi Garewal that she was unexpectedly removed from multiple projects, including two major Shah Rukh Khan films, Veer-Zaara and Chalte Chalte. “These projects were abruptly taken off the table with no explanation,” Aishwarya shared.
In Three Khans by Kaveri Bamzai, it was suggested that Salman’s interference led to disruptions on the Chalte Chalte set, with the film’s shoot even coming to a standstill due to his outbursts.
Despite the painful chapter, Aishwarya Rai has since moved on, building a family with actor Abhishek Bachchan and raising their daughter, Aaradhya. Professionally, she continues to shine, with her latest role in Mani Ratnam’s Ponniyin Selvan II, a historical epic that also stars Vikram, Trisha, and others.
Meanwhile, Salman Khan is keeping busy with his upcoming film Battle of Galwan, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, which is inspired by the 2020 Galwan Valley clash. His previous film, Sikandar, directed by AR Murugadoss, was released earlier this year.