In Bollywood, celebrity romances often attract as much attention as the films themselves. One of the most discussed breakups is that of Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai. The pair starred in the 1999 film *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*, and their off-screen romance quickly became a hot topic.
What many may not realize is how their relationship began and its impact on Salman’s prior romance with Somy Ali. In a recent interview with Zoom TV, Somy shared insights about the start of Salman and Aishwarya’s relationship and her decision to move on from Salman.
Somy, who was dating Salman at the time, recalled a peculiar incident during the filming of *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*. She mentioned calling Salman while he was on set, but he didn’t answer. When she reached out to director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, he informed her that Salman was busy filming. This left Somy confused as to why the director was handling phone calls instead of focusing on the scene, leading her to sense that something was amiss.
This phone call served as a red flag for Somy, marking the first sign that things were shifting in their relationship. Soon after, she observed Aishwarya Rai, Salman’s co-star, frequenting the gym they shared. “Aishwarya started coming to the gym where we lived,” Somy noted, which further hinted at a developing connection between Salman and Aishwarya.
Somy had trusted friends providing her with information, and she acknowledged, “I knew in my heart that their relationship was going to grow. It was time for me to leave.”
There were rumors that Salman and Aishwarya fell in love while working out together, but Somy clarified that this was not the case. “No, they didn’t fall in love at the gym. It happened during the shooting of *Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*,” she stated.
While the film revolved around themes of love and heartbreak, real emotions were blossoming between Salman and Aishwarya behind the scenes. Acknowledging the situation, Somy understood that her relationship with Salman had reached its end, prompting her to move on.
By 2002, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s breakup became a major news story, with many speculating about the reasons behind their split. Ultimately, both actors moved forward with their respective lives.