Long before blockbusters, breakups, and public controversies became part of the narrative, Salman Khan was simply a young man visiting a friend’s building in south Mumbai. That is where producer Shailendra
Singh says their bond began, years before fame complicated everything. In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, as reported in SCREEN, Shailendra spoke openly about his long friendship with Salman, the events surrounding the Vivek Oberoi press conference, Salman’s relationship with Aishwarya Rai, and the moment that eventually ended their friendship. A friendship before stardom Shailendra recalled knowing Salman from his Cuffe Parade days, when life was far removed from the spotlight. “Salman and I go back to Cuffe Parade, where I used to live. He used to come there to meet his first girlfriend, Shaaheen Jaffery,” he said. Reflecting on Salman’s personality, he added, “Salman’s problem is that he is all heart. He’s an awesome guy, but the company he keeps is strange.” ‘He was fuming’ after the press conference The conversation then turned to one of Bollywood’s most talked-about moments. Shailendra revisited the fallout after Vivek Oberoi held a press conference in 2003, alleging that Salman had threatened him. According to Shailendra, he visited Salman soon after and found him furious. “He was fuming. Earlier, he would openly show his emotions. Now, he has a lot more control,” he said. He also shared the advice he gave Salman at the time. “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, have a drink, and let him do whatever he’s doing.” ‘Fight the battle silently’ Shailendra went further, explaining how he urged Salman not to react publicly. “I asked him to not act on impulse, wait and fight the battle silently.I think he did that. He made sure that Vivek doesn’t work in Bollywood anymore. I don’t know for sure, but that’s how it looks.” The press conference, held while Vivek was allegedly dating Aishwarya Rai after her split from Salman, shook the industry. In the years that followed, Vivek’s career gradually moved to the margins. On Salman and Aishwarya Rai When asked about Salman’s relationship with Aishwarya, Shailendra described him as someone who often found trouble unintentionally. “Salman is a great guy, but always at the wrong place at the wrong time. He has a strange way of finding disaster,” he said.
