A new biography painting a vibrant portrait of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has revealed intimate details about one of his most talked-about relationships. The book, titled 'Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood', written by entertainment journalist Mohar Basu, offers a fan's tribute filled with personal accounts, rare photos, and defining incidents from the actor's life.
An exclusive excerpt, published with permission from HarperCollins Books, delves into the actor's romantic side and his famous connection with co-star Katrina Kaif. According to the book, those close to Salman claim you can always tell when he is in love, as it's when he is at his happiest, displaying a noticeable softness.
The Fateful First Meeting
The book details that Salman Khan's life took a turn in 2003 when he first met Katrina Kaif. The introduction happened at a party hosted by Salman at his home for his sister Alvira's birthday. Former supermodel Alison Kanuga introduced Katrina to a shirtless Salman, who had just stepped out of the shower. The encounter began with Katrina bursting into laughter, and Salman explaining his state of undress.
Salman was immediately drawn to Katrina, and the pair spent the entire evening together. This chance meeting quickly led to more, with Salman actively pursuing her. Katrina would often hurry to meet him after her work, either on his film sets or at his home.
A Bond That Mellowed The Superstar
Their relationship blossomed with simple pleasures. They were often seen at cafes in Bandra, taking long walks with Salman's dogs, Myson and Myjaan, and enjoying early-morning bike rides. With her family based in London, Katrina found a second family in Salman's. She grew particularly close to his sister, Alvira Khan Agnihotri, who became a trusted confidante.
Friends observed that Katrina's warmth had a calming effect on Salman, making him seem softer and more at ease. In a 2008 interview, when asked about this change, Katrina expressed her happiness, stating she was glad he had become more comfortable with the media.
Despite intense media speculation, Katrina remained guarded about their relationship for years. However, in 2011, she finally acknowledged it publicly to Cosmopolitan magazine, revealing, 'Salman Khan was my first serious relationship.' She reflected on love as being unpredictable and described herself as a hopeless romantic.
From Reel to Real: The 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya' Chapter
Their off-screen bond translated into undeniable on-screen chemistry, which became evident in the 2005 David Dhawan comedy 'Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?'. While the film's plot involved romantic confusion, with Salman's character ultimately choosing Sushmita Sen's nurse over Katrina's character, the real-life connection deepened during the shoot.
The film set became a space where Salman, already an established star, mentored the relatively new Katrina. He helped her with lines, coached her through scenes, and offered guidance on navigating Bollywood. Between takes and rehearsals, their connection grew stronger, solidifying a closeness they kept private from the press.
Katrina later attempted to describe their professional synergy, calling Salman unpredictable on set. She highlighted their ability to read each other and play off one another's energy, attributing good chemistry to a foundation of respect and admiration. She also shared a quirky detail, noting Salman would often sit quietly in a corner, 'chewing on his shirt collar.'
Though their romantic relationship eventually ended, and Katrina is now married to actor Vicky Kaushal, their fans' fascination persists. Their reunion on screen in projects like 'Tiger 3' (2023) continues to generate immense excitement, proving the enduring power of one of Bollywood's most iconic pairings.
