Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman KhanYouTube Screenshot

Salman Khan was supposed to star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's elaborate dream project "Bajirao Mastani", which was eventually done by Ranveer Singh.

The "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" star would have portrayed the Peshwa warrior in the flick if he didn't have a bitter fallout with the filmmaker. However, there is more to the story. Reportedly, the actor's split with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan after "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam" adversely affected his relationship with Bhansali.

"Salman was upset that Sanjay didn't stick to him and felt like his friend and mentor turned against him. There was a lot of bad blood between them at that point," Bollywood Life quoted a source as saying.

The report also states how Khan and Bhansali had not spoken to each other for months. The differences were ironed out only in recent years but their responses, when asked about one another, hardly indicate warm friendship.

Last year, Bhansali reportedly said Khan was a close friend, but he wasn't sure if the superstar shared the feeling. To this, the actor responded saying they always had a working relationship.

"We used to be close. I haven't worked with him (for some time). Ours was a working relationship and we worked fine. And then, we didn't work (together) anymore. That's it," Hindustan Times quoted Khan as saying.

However, since no one ever revealed the real reaosn behind Khan rejecting the offer, this can be considered as a mere speculation.

In other news, the "Bajirao Mastani" teaser will be out on 16 July and the trailer has been attached to "Bajrangi Bhaijaan". Slated for an 18 December release, the period drama also stars Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles.

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