Mumbai, India, June 29, 2025 — The 2002 Sanjay Leela Bhansali masterpiece Devdas, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Madhuri Dixit, remains a Bollywood landmark, but a lesser-known story about Salman Khan’s presence on its sets has resurfaced, shedding light on his tumultuous breakup with Aishwarya Rai.
Despite their bitter split in March 2002, Salman, Aishwarya’s ex-boyfriend, was a frequent visitor to the Devdas sets, even featuring in a poignant scene in the song Morey Piya, where he demonstrated how to remove a thorn from Aishwarya’s foot, per Times of India and BollywoodShaadis. This moment, captured on camera, marked their final on-screen appearance together, revealing the complex interplay of personal and professional dynamics during a challenging period.
Salman’s Presence and the Morey Piya Scene
What Happened: During the filming of Devdas in 2001-2002, Salman Khan, who had dated Aishwarya Rai from 1999 to 2002 after meeting on the sets of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, was a regular presence despite their breakup. In the romantic Morey Piya sequence, where Devdas (Shah Rukh Khan) removes a thorn from Paro’s (Aishwarya Rai) foot, Salman stepped in to demonstrate the delicate, sensuous gesture for Shah Rukh. Director Sanjay Leela Bhansali kept the cameras rolling, and this close-up shot—showing only Salman’s hand and Aishwarya’s foot—made it into the final cut, per Times of India and Anupama Chopra’s book King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema.
When and Where: The incident occurred during the Devdas shoot in Mumbai, likely in mid-2001, before the film’s July 2002 release. The breakup was formalized in March 2002, per Koimoi.
Why: Salman, a close friend of Bhansali, frequently visited the sets, reportedly struggling with the end of his relationship with Aishwarya. His presence was marked by emotional turmoil, with reports of him spending nights intoxicated in Aishwarya’s trailer, per BollywoodShaadis and Chopra’s book. His involvement in the Morey Piya scene was spontaneous, reflecting his attempt to stay connected to Aishwarya, per ABP News.
How: The scene, a close-up not showing faces, was included in the film, making it the last time Salman and Aishwarya appeared together on-screen. Fans on X, like @idekwhybutwell, noted this tidbit, emphasizing Salman’s ongoing presence during the shoot.
Key Quote: “Salman volunteered to demonstrate how this should be done. Sanjay rolled the cameras. It was a poignant moment: a spent, tragic lover enacting his own life for film,” wrote Anupama Chopra, per Koimoi.
The Context of Their Breakup
Relationship Background: Salman and Aishwarya’s romance began on the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam set in 1999, but by 2001, it had deteriorated due to allegations of Salman’s controlling behavior, verbal and physical abuse, and alcoholism, per Aishwarya’s 2002 Times of India interview. She stated, “There were times when Salman got physical with me, luckily without leaving marks,” and described the relationship as a “nightmare,” per Koimoi. A notable incident in 2001 involved Salman causing a commotion outside Aishwarya’s residence, demanding entry, per India.com.
Impact on Devdas: Aishwarya’s professionalism shone despite Salman’s disruptions. She maintained composure, even dancing and engaging with Bhansali post-shoot, though an insider noted she felt “her breath was being choked out” by Salman’s presence, per Odishatv.in. His actions, including alleged interference in her projects like Chalte Chalte, where she was replaced by Rani Mukerji after a set altercation, strained her professional life, per Hindustan Times.
Public and Industry Reactions
Public Sentiment: The revelation of Salman’s Morey Piya cameo shocked fans, with X posts like @idekwhybutwell calling it “unbelievable” that his hand appeared in the film. Others, like Reddit users cited in BollywoodShaadis, criticized Salman’s behavior, alleging he monitored Aishwarya on sets due to jealousy, with one noting he “suspected her of having affairs with co-stars.”
Industry Fallout: Aishwarya’s 2002 statement, “I will not work with Mr. Salman Khan,” marked a firm boundary, per Mirchi.in. She later married Abhishek Bachchan in 2007, while Salman, now reportedly dating Iulia Vantur, remains a bachelor, per India Today. The Devdas incident underscores the personal toll of their breakup, with Salman’s presence seen as both intrusive and tragic, per ABP News.
Accessing the Story
- Times of India: www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com for the Morey Piya scene revelation.
- BollywoodShaadis: www.bollywoodshaadis.com for set dynamics and breakup context.
- Koimoi: www.koimoi.com for Aishwarya’s abuse allegations.
- X: Search “Salman Khan Devdas Aishwarya 2025” for fan reactions, but verify claims like @idekwhybutwell’s for accuracy.
What This Means
Salman Khan’s presence on the Devdas sets, culminating in his Morey Piya cameo, reflects the emotional complexity of his breakup with Aishwarya Rai, a relationship marred by allegations of abuse and control. The captured moment, their last on-screen together, adds a bittersweet layer to the film’s legacy. Publishers should monitor fan reactions and potential Bhansali comments for further insights, while readers should approach X claims cautiously, as some, like Reddit anecdotes in BollywoodShaadis, lack corroboration. This story highlights Bollywood’s intersection of personal drama and cinematic art, with Aishwarya’s resilience and Salman’s lingering presence shaping a poignant chapter in Devdas’s history.
