'Salman Khan was high, he abused me, haatha paai hui...': Subhash Ghai recalls ugly fight with Bollywood superstar. He reveals what changed their equation

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai and actor Salman Khan have shared a long relationship that survived a major fallout years ago. Their equation has once again come into focus after the director recalled an ugly fight with Salman that turned physical and revealed how the actor’s family helped resolve the matter. What followed the incident eventually changed the filmmaker’s view of the actor and paved the way for them to work together.

Subhash Ghai opens up about his fight with Salman Khan

Subhash Ghai recently opened up about his relationship with Salman Khan while recalling the events that took place before they worked together on Yuvvraaj. According to the filmmaker, the two had a heated argument at a party, which eventually escalated into a physical altercation.




During the conversation with Times Now, Subhash said, "Before the film, we had a fight. Hatha paai hui (we had a scuffle). Then his father scolded him. We were at a party. Salman was high. He was saying something wrong when I told him, ‘Don’t say that.’ He had some issue with me. He asked me, ‘Why did you do this or that?’ I said it is my decision as a director. He started abusing [me], I asked him not to do that. We had a spat there."

The filmmaker recalled that the disagreement happened before Yuvvraaj, a project that would later bring the two together professionally.

How Salim Khan helped resolve the matter

The situation changed the following morning when Salman’s father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, stepped in. The Taal director said Salim Khan spoke to him after learning what had happened and reprimanded his son over the incident.

Salim Khan then sent Salman to Ghai’s home to apologise. The filmmaker recalled that Salman came over and apologised to him politely.

For Ghai, the apology was significant for another reason. He said, "Salman came. He politely apologised, after which I fell in love with him because he respected his father so much. I let go of that issue. We often visited each other. After that, we did a film together."

The filmmaker also recalled that he developed greater affection and respect for Salman after seeing the actor’s regard for his father. The two eventually moved past the argument and began meeting and visiting each other again.

Their relationship eventually grew into a friendship, despite the difficult incident that had once created a major rift between them.

Salman Khan and Subhash Ghai later worked together

The reconciliation also opened the door for the two to collaborate. Salman Khan and Subhash Ghai eventually came together for Yuvvraaj, which was released in 2008.

The film was a musical family drama featuring Salman alongside Anil Kapoor, Zayed Khan and Katrina Kaif. The story revolved around three brothers who become embroiled in a conflict over their father’s wealth and inheritance.

Salman played Deven Yuvvraaj, the youngest of the three brothers and an aspiring musician. Anil Kapoor played Gyanesh, while Zayed Khan portrayed Danny. Katrina Kaif starred as Anushka, a musician who becomes romantically involved with Salman’s character.

Yuvvraaj also featured music by A.R. Rahman, with lyrics written by Gulzar. Despite its well-known cast, celebrated music team and Ghai’s reputation as a filmmaker, the movie received mixed reviews and did not perform strongly at the box office.

Subhash Ghai has continued to speak positively about Salman over the years. Earlier this year, he shared a picture with the actor from Jackie Shroff’s birthday celebrations and praised Salman for being gracious and respectful towards senior members of the film industry.