In 2003, Salman Khan reached soaring levels of fame with the release of Tere Naam, a film that portrayed him as a troubled and obsessive lover, Radhe. His portrayal captivated audiences, but it was a lighter, behind-the-scenes moment during the film’s shoot that co-star Indira Krishnan recently recounted, revealing the playful side of the superstar.
Indira Krishnan, who played Mamta, the elder sister of the film’s female lead Nirjara (Bhumika Chawla), recalled a particularly memorable prank Salman pulled just before a key scene in which she had to slap him. Speaking in an interview with Join Films, Krishnan shared how Khan’s unexpected jest left her visibly shaken.
“Salman pulled a prank on me,” she recounted. “He warned me, ‘Thoda sa bhi laga na, Indira, toh dekhna mein kya karta hoon. Main hungama macha doonga (If you even hit me slightly, just watch what I’ll do. I’ll cause a huge uproar).’” The jest worked as intended; Krishnan admitted that she was so scared her hands were shaking when it came time to shoot the slap.
The actor shared that despite her nerves, Khan’s supportive nature made her feel at ease on set. “He’s such a lovely person. Itna pyaar diya unhone mujhe! Bahut comfortably maine kaam kiya unke saath. Mujhe kabhi aisa laga hi nahi ki ye Salman Khan hain. Unka aura hi bilkul alag hain (He gave me so much warmth! I felt so comfortable working with him, it never even felt like he was Salman Khan. He has a different aura).”
Directed by the late Satish Kaushik, Tere Naam became a cultural phenomenon, resonating with audiences across the country. The film centers around Radhe, a college dropout with a rebellious streak, who becomes obsessively infatuated with Nirjara. His unrestrained behavior ultimately leads to a dark and tragic path, making Tere Naam one of Salman’s most intense performances.
In the years since, Salman Khan has maintained a firm presence in Bollywood. He is currently hosting the reality show Bigg Boss 18 and is expected to appear on the big screen in Sikandar, which is set for an Eid release next year.