Film producer Shailendra Singh, known for backing critically acclaimed films like Page 3, Traffic Signal, Phir Milenge and Firaaq, recently spoke candidly about his long friendship with Salman Khan, the Vivek Oberoi press conference controversy and Salman relationship with Aishwarya Rai.
In a conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Shailendra revealed that his friendship with Salman Khan began long before fame came into the picture. “Salman and I returned to Cuffe Parade, where he used to live. He used to come there to meet his first girlfriend, Shaaheen Jaffery,” she said. “Salman’s problem is that he’s all heart. He’s a fantastic guy, but the company he keeps is strange,” Shailendra said.
Reflecting on how success transformed Salman over the years, Shailendra said: “Salman is a tiger, but now he is tamed. Born a tiger in the jungle, now he is a tiger in a zoo. Success makes you cautious, even fearful. Then people surround you and constantly tell you that you are the boss and everyone else is wrong.”
At the height of Salman’s career, the two shared a close camaraderie. “For three years, Salman and I had a tradition. Every Monday night we would party together in Bandra,” Shailendra recalled.
How Salman Khan came aboard Phir Milenge
Shailendra also opened up about the casting struggles behind Phir Milenge, revealing that the film almost fell apart before Salman intervened. According to him, director Revathy had approached almost all the big names in the industry. The role was that of an AIDS patient who dies at the end of the film.
“Revathy went to around 30 actors in the industry. The last actor who said no was Uday Chopra,” he said.
Left with no options, Revathy allegedly told Shailendra that she was ready to return the money and leave the project until Salman Khan agreed to take it on, changing the fate of the film.
Story continues below this ad.
Salman Khan was ‘furious’ after Vivek Oberoi’s press conference
Shailendra also revisited Vivek Oberoi’s controversial press conference and revealed how he advised Salman to handle the situation. He shared that he went to Salman’s house soon after the incident and found him extremely angry. “He was furious. Before, he showed his emotions openly. Now he is much more in control,” Shailendra said.
Recalling his advice, he added, “My only reaction after Vivek’s press conference was to tell Salman that in life we should act, not react. Whatever needs to be done can be done later. For now, let’s sit back, have a drink and let him do whatever he’s doing.”
“I asked him not to act on impulse, to wait and fight the battle silently. I think he did. He made sure that Vivek no longer worked in Bollywood. I’m not sure, but that’s how it seems.”
In 2003, Vivek Oberoi held a press conference in which he claimed that Salman Khan had threatened him. At the time, he was in a relationship with Aishwarya Rai following her split from Salman. The allegations shook the industry and soon after, Vivek gradually found himself pushed to the sidelines.
Story continues below this ad.
Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s relationship
When asked about Salman’s relationship with Aishwarya Rai, Shailendra described the actor as someone who often found himself in difficult circumstances. “Salman is a great guy, but he is always in the wrong place at the wrong time. He has a strange way of finding disaster,” she said.
The consequences that ended his friendship with Salman
Shailendra finally opened up about the incident that led to the end of her friendship with Salman Khan. He had approached the actor for a film titled Captain, hoping to collaborate on a full-fledged commercial project. “Our friendship was very strong, so I went to see him and told him I wanted to make this movie with you, a full commercial project,” he recalled.
The meeting, however, did not go as he expected. “When I went to meet him, he had called several people to the meeting. That was my last meeting with Salman. I felt deeply insulted,” Shailendra said.
Story continues below this ad.
He explained that Salman wanted the discussion to take place openly, even though Shailendra requested privacy. “He told me to say it in front of everyone. I wanted to talk privately, but he refused. I didn’t like it. He treated our relationship with indifference and that was the last time I saw him.”