As Aishwarya Rai Bachchan turns 51 on November 1, fans can’t help but reflect on her past, especially her relationship with Salman Khan, a chapter that’s often brought up with much speculation. The two Bollywood stars shared a close bond, but their breakup was tumultuous, sparking media rumors and impacting their families. Looking back, Aishwarya opened up about her experiences, the family drama that followed, and her perspective on her relationship with Salman and his family.
Addressing Media Speculation and Family Misunderstandings
Years after her breakup with Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai clarified how media reports painted an inaccurate picture of her relationship and family life. During an interview, Aishwarya was asked about a statement from one of her relatives, who had allegedly spoken to the press about her personal struggles. She responded by explaining how those statements had been twisted by the media.
Aishwarya firmly stated that her family background and relationships were misrepresented. She mentioned that her father was in the Merchant Navy, not in the defense forces, as some rumors suggested. “My relatives don’t refer to my parents as Vrinda ji and Krishnabhai. People wrote and spoke about things they didn’t know, distorting reality,” she said, expressing frustration over the false portrayals.
Salman’s Family Support During Her Difficult Times
Despite the turbulent breakup, Aishwarya expressed gratitude for the support she received from Salman Khan’s family during her challenging times. She revealed that Salman’s family would often reach out to her and check on her well-being, especially during the filming of Devdas, when rumors were at their peak. “Salman’s family was incredibly supportive,” she said. “They would call me throughout the day to ensure I was alright. Even though the media labeled me a ‘bad daughter,’ his family stood by me.”
Aishwarya shared that she was touched by the concern and kindness shown by Salman’s family, particularly during a period when she felt misunderstood by the public. This warmth from Salman’s family helped her maintain a balanced perspective, even when faced with harsh media criticism.
The Midnight Incident: Clearing Up the Drama
One of the most sensationalized incidents reported about Aishwarya’s relationship with Salman involved a late-night commotion outside her home. The media painted this as a dramatic outburst from Salman, suggesting he was creating a ruckus and banging on her door after midnight. Addressing this, Aishwarya clarified that while Salman did knock repeatedly on her door, there was no chaos as was reported.
Recalling that night, she explained, “I had just returned from a night shoot for Devdas, exhausted, and I fell asleep after a cup of hot chocolate. Salman had told me he would be coming over, but I didn’t hear him knock because I was fast asleep. He knocked repeatedly, yes, and when I didn’t respond, his fingers were even bleeding. But it wasn’t the ‘drama’ that the newspapers made it out to be.”
Aishwarya further explained that she woke up hours later to find out what had happened, feeling surprised and anxious when she read exaggerated stories in the papers the next day. She added that the reports claimed her father had instructed security to block Salman’s entry, which, according to her, was entirely fabricated. “We are not the kind of family that would behave like that. My father did not prevent Salman from entering our house. The things said about us were completely false.”
“Neither a Victim Nor a Martyr”: Aishwarya Stands Up for Herself
One narrative Aishwarya felt hurt by was the portrayal of her as a “victimized” woman. The actress addressed rumors of domestic abuse, which she strongly denied, saying, “Do I look like someone who would tolerate domestic violence and abuse? It is deeply upsetting that I was painted as this weak, helpless person. There’s a limit to how far people can go with such baseless accusations.” She dismissed the idea that she had been a passive recipient of any form of mistreatment, insisting that her choices and values reflected strength and independence.
Aishwarya also clarified a rumor about her falling down a staircase, which the media speculated was related to alleged physical altercations with Salman. She expressed her dismay at these assumptions, adding that even an accidental fall was quickly turned into a “proof” of abuse by the media. “People need to realize that not every story in the media is the full story or even the truth,” she remarked.
Reflecting on Her Feelings Toward Salman and the Impact of Media on Their Lives
Despite the ups and downs, Aishwarya spoke about Salman Khan in a compassionate light, calling him “misunderstood.” She believed that much of what people thought of Salman was based on misconceptions. “Salman is one of the most misunderstood people I know. People are quick to judge him without knowing the full story,” she said, acknowledging that while their relationship had been challenging, it was no excuse for the media’s harsh scrutiny.
Aishwarya admitted that the relationship’s intense public attention had unfairly dragged their families into unwanted controversy. “I do feel responsible to some extent that two innocent families were pulled into this media mudslinging because of us,” she confessed. It was evident that both Aishwarya and Salman faced emotional tolls due to constant public interference and judgment, which complicated their relationship further.
Choosing Privacy Over Speculation
Reflecting on her relationship’s lasting media impact, Aishwarya emphasized maintaining personal privacy. She expressed how challenging it was to navigate a relationship under intense scrutiny and misinformation. Her experience highlights the complexities of being a public figure in Bollywood, where even a minor incident can be blown out of proportion.
