A decades-old controversy has resurfaced with renewed intensity as a leaked audio tape allegedly featuring a phone call between Bollywood icons Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan has gone viral. The explosive recording, which first emerged in the early 2000s, is now circulating widely across social media platforms, reigniting public debate over one of the industry’s most turbulent relationships.
What the Audio Reveals
The tape reportedly captures a heated exchange in which Salman Khan allegedly pressures Aishwarya Rai to perform at an event linked to underworld figure Abu Salem. The conversation includes threats, abusive language, and references to underworld connections, including Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Shakeel.
While the authenticity of the tape has long been disputed—with forensic reports later suggesting it may have been doctored—the resurfacing of the audio has reignited scrutiny of the couple’s troubled past. The timing of the leak, coinciding with renewed interest in Bollywood’s underworld ties, has only amplified its impact.
A Relationship Marked by Turmoil
Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s relationship, which began during the filming of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, ended in 2002 amid allegations of emotional and physical abuse. Aishwarya publicly accused Salman of harassment and controlling behavior, stating that he struggled to accept their breakup.
The leaked audio appears to corroborate some of those claims, with Salman allegedly making threats and referencing surveillance even during Aishwarya’s international tours. The tape also touches on the financing of Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, a film linked to underworld money laundering investigations.
Industry Reaction
The resurfaced tape has sent shockwaves through Bollywood, with fans and insiders expressing disbelief and concern. While some dismiss the audio as outdated or manipulated, others see it as a painful reminder of the industry’s darker chapters.
Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, Salman’s father, once commented on the emotional fallout of the Salman-Aishwarya-Vivek Oberoi triangle, saying, “Koi aur le gaya, koi aur chala, aur ye wahi ke wahi hain”—a remark that now feels eerily prescient.
