“I knew it’s time for me to leave” Somy Ali on how Salman-Aishwarya affair was kept secret

Salman Khan Somy Ali

© Bhansali Productions

Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai had one of the most public breakups in Bollywood history. The two started dating on the sets of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and ended their relationship in 2002. Before Aishwarya, Salman was dating Somy Ali.

In an exclusive interview with Zoom TV, Somy Ali revealed how Aishwarya Rai’s entry into their lives broke her and Salman apart — be it through the time they spent on set or Aishwarya joining Salman’s gym.

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Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai

© Bhansali ProductionsSomy shared, “The shoot was going on when I called up Salman but he didn’t pick up. Then I called Sanjay Leela Bhansali and he said, ‘he can’t speak to you right now because he’s in a shot’. I was like ‘if he in a shot, why aren’t you directing it? Why are you picking up my phone call?’ The logic defied me. He was cornered by me and didn’t know what to say.”

She added, “Later, Aish started coming to Salman’s gym where we were living. Salman and I used to live in the ground floor of Galaxy where we had a gym also.”

Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai
© Instagram/Salman Khan FCWhen asked if their relationship started when they started working out together, Somy explained, “No, Aishwarya and Salman fell in love during the shooting of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. I was getting information from the servants inside who favoured me. I knew in my heart that their relationship was something that’s gonna blossom. I knew it’s time for me to leave.”

Somy Ali reportedly came to India from the US with a photo of Salman in her wallet, hoping that one day she would marry him. She had a huge crush on the star after watching him in Maine Pyar Kiya in 1989. Somy Ali and Salman Khan even worked together on a film which ultimately got shelved.