Actor Smita Jayakar has shared a behind-the-scenes memory from the filming of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, recalling how filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali reportedly scolded Salman Khan after the actor touched Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s arm during a romantic scene.
According to Smita, who played Aishwarya’s on-screen mother in the 1999 Bollywood film, the gesture was not part of the planned choreography. She recalled that Salman appeared to act spontaneously, prompting Bhansali to question him about the unexpected movement.
Speaking in a conversation with Siddhartha Kannan, Smita also reflected on Salman and Aishwarya’s reported romance during the film’s production, saying their real-life chemistry contributed to the romantic atmosphere captured on screen.
Smita Jayakar Recalls Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s Romance
Smita Jayakar said Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai appeared to be in love while filming Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Their relationship attracted attention among members of the crew, while their chemistry became closely associated with the film’s emotional love story.
Recalling that period, Smita described the actors as looking radiant together and said their feelings seemed to enhance their performances.
She explained that the romance was visible in their expressions and that the emotions they brought to the set helped create the magic audiences experienced in the film.
Smita also recalled that the couple’s closeness sometimes caused delays during scheduled shoots.
According to her, crew members would complain about waiting for the actors even though early-morning shifts had already begun. She remembered that the production team could be ready for work hours before Salman and Aishwarya arrived.
Smita said the actors would sometimes arrive together around 11 am, seemingly caught up in their own world and unaware of the inconvenience caused to the waiting crew.
While the delays frustrated some members of the team, she recalled the situation with humour, suggesting that the behaviour was understandable in the context of a developing romance.
Why Did Sanjay Leela Bhansali Scold Salman Khan?
One of Smita’s most memorable recollections involved a scene filmed for the romantic song Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan.
As she described it, Salman Khan was supposed to walk around a table while Aishwarya Rai stood nearby. The planned movement required him to look at her without making physical contact.
However, Salman reportedly touched Aishwarya’s arm during the take.
Smita said Bhansali noticed the unexpected gesture and immediately asked Salman why he had touched his co-star when the action was not included in the scene.
According to Smita’s account, Salman appeared to have acted on his feelings rather than following the movements planned for the shot. Bhansali reportedly raised his voice and reminded him that he was supposed to stand and look at Aishwarya.
The incident reportedly amused people on the set. Smita recalled that Aishwarya blushed as those present recognised the affection between the two actors.
Her recollection offers a glimpse into the atmosphere behind the making of the film, where the performers’ personal chemistry and the director’s attention to detail came together during filming.
The anecdote also highlights Bhansali’s focus on how a scene should be performed, even when an unscripted gesture might appear natural in a romantic sequence.
Smita Jayakar Says Their Romance Helped the Film
Smita had previously spoken about Salman and Aishwarya’s relationship in an interview with Filmymantra. On that occasion, she said their romance developed during the production and contributed positively to the film’s emotional impact.
She recalled that both actors displayed unmistakable romantic expressions, which translated into convincing chemistry on screen.
The film’s love story benefited from the connection viewers could see between the lead performers. Their pairing became one of the most remembered aspects of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, which remains associated with their performances and its romantic soundtrack.
Although the actors’ reported relationship later became a prominent part of Bollywood’s celebrity history, Smita’s comments focus on the atmosphere she witnessed while working with them during the film’s production.
About Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Released in 1999, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam was directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and starred Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Ajay Devgn in the lead roles.
The romantic drama follows Nandini, played by Aishwarya, who falls in love with Sameer, played by Salman. However, circumstances lead her to marry Vanraj, portrayed by Ajay Devgn, setting up an emotional conflict between love, commitment and personal choice.
Smita Jayakar played Amrita Darbar, Nandini’s mother.
The film received widespread recognition for its music, performances, visual style and emotional storytelling. Its soundtrack, composed by Ismail Darbar, featured memorable songs, including Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan and Chand Chhupa Badal Mein.
More than two decades after its release, the film continues to be discussed for its music, memorable scenes and the on-screen chemistry between Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Smita Jayakar’s recollection adds another behind-the-scenes anecdote to the film’s legacy, revisiting a moment when the boundary between a planned romantic scene and the actors’ reported real-life feelings appeared to blur.
