Bollywood's Biggest Fights: The names we know, but the stories we don't

Bollywood is built on dreams and larger-than-life stories, but its real drama has often unfolded behind the camera. Stars have clashed over love affairs, bruised egos, and box office crowns, creating rivalries that defined eras as much as their films did. These feuds weren't just gossip fodder; they shifted careers, divided the industry into camps, and gave fans the kind of spectacle no scriptwriter could dream up. Some healed with time, some still linger. So here's a look at the most blown-up Bollywood feuds that went public and how.

Shah Rukh Khan vs Salman Khan

The Shah Rukh, Salman friendship was once the stuff of legend. They laughed, promoted each other's films, and delivered iconic screen pairings like Karan Arjun. But in 2008, during Katrina Kaif's birthday celebration, things went spectacularly wrong. A heated argument turned into an ugly scene, and the two megastars, both at the peak of their powers, stopped speaking. For years, the industry whispered about the fallout while award shows and parties carefully choreographed their appearances to avoid awkward encounters.

Fans picked sides, and the rivalry became as famous as any film they'd starred in. Then, in 2013, the unthinkable happened. At Baba Siddique's annual Iftar party, the two hugged in front of flashing cameras, and the feud thawed. Since then, their relationship has turned cordial. They've made surprise cameos in each other's films, praised one another in interviews, and shown that even Bollywood's fiercest rivalry can find closure.

Shah Rukh Khan vs Aamir Khan

Unlike the fiery clash with Salman, Shah Rukh's uneasy relationship with Aamir Khan was more of a cold war. The tension simmered for years, fed by constant comparisons. Aamir, known for his precision and carefully curated image, often kept his distance from industry camaraderie, while Shah Rukh thrived on charm and charisma.

In 2008, Aamir made waves when he jokingly wrote on his blog about naming his dog Shah Rukh, a line that instantly grabbed headlines and hinted at a rivalry that had been brewing silently. Their fans clashed more than the actors themselves, but it was enough to keep the narrative alive. Over time, the sharpness dulled. Aamir now openly praises Shah Rukh's enduring stardom and even teases the idea of a collaboration featuring all three Khans.

Salman Khan vs Vivek Oberoi

Few feuds have been as damaging as the one between Salman Khan and Vivek Oberoi. In 2003, Vivek stunned the media by calling an impromptu press conference, accusing Salman of threatening him over his closeness to Aishwarya Rai. For a young actor still finding his footing, this was a bold (some say reckless) move. The fallout was brutal. Vivek's career nosedived almost overnight, with producers and colleagues distancing themselves, while Salman's dominance only grew.

Vivek has since admitted the press conference was a mistake and described the aftermath as surviving a "trial by fire." Although he maintains that he has no bitterness today, the truth is that the feud cast a long shadow over his career. Salman never responded publicly, but his silence perhaps spoke louder than any rebuttal.

Karan Johar vs Kajol

For nearly two decades, Karan Johar and Kajol embodied the golden days of Bollywood friendships. She was his muse, starring in his biggest films, and he often described her as his lucky charm. Their bond seemed unshakeable until 2016, when Karan's Ae Dil Hai Mushkil clashed with Ajay Devgn's Shivaay. Tensions rose when Ajay accused Karan of trying to sabotage his film, and Kajol, caught between husband and best friend, sided with Ajay.

The break was bitter and public, with Karan admitting in his memoir that he had lost his faith in their friendship forever. For months, they didn't speak, and fans mourned what felt like the end of an era. Then, in a twist worthy of a Bollywood climax, Karan reached out with photos of his newborn twins. Kajol responded, and soon they were back on talking terms. Today, the warmth may not be what it once was, but the bond has been mended, proof that even broken friendships can find their way back.

Hrithik Roshan vs Kangana Ranaut

The Hrithik–Kangana saga is perhaps Bollywood's most sensational feud of recent times. What began as rumors of a romance spiraled into a public and legal battle, with leaked emails, legal notices, and constant media coverage. Kangana called him her "silly ex," Hrithik flatly denied any relationship, and what might have remained private became an ugly spectacle.

The strain grew so intense that Hrithik delayed the release of Super 30, citing personal trauma and wanting to avoid overlapping with Kangana's Mental Hai Kya. Unlike other feuds that mellowed with time, this one left scars that still haven't healed. Both actors have moved on with their careers, but the hostility remains, making it one of Bollywood's most unresolved battles.

Kareena Kapoor vs Bipasha Basu

The rivalry between Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu began on the sets of Ajnabee in 2001, when the two actresses clashed over costumes designed by Vikram Phadnis. Reports claim the disagreement turned ugly, with Kareena allegedly resorting to insults. She reportedly called Bipasha a “kaali billi” after a spat over costumes.

Kareena even dismissed Bipasha in interviews, saying her only claim to fame was a fight with her. Basu in turn, remained largely professional, though the animosity was no secret. Time has softened the edges of the feud, and while the actresses never reconciled publicly, the hostility has faded into distant memory.

Kangana Ranaut vs Karan Johar

Few rivalries have altered Bollywood’s cultural conversation quite like Kangana Ranaut’s clash with Karan Johar. It all began on Koffee With Karan in 2017, when Kangana famously called him the “flagbearer of nepotism,” sparking a debate that shook the industry. Overnight, nepotism became the buzzword, with audiences scrutinising star kids and industry insiders in a way they hadn’t before.

Karan initially brushed it off with sarcasm, but as Kangana doubled down in interviews and award speeches, the feud became deeply personal. She accused him of gatekeeping and bullying outsiders, while he dismissed her remarks as unfair attacks. Unlike other rivalries that mellowed with time, this one has only grown sharper. Even today, Kangana takes digs at him on social media and in interviews, while Karan, though less direct, has often hinted at his frustration with her.

Kareena Kapoor vs Priyanka Chopra

If Kareena's clash with Bipasha was fiery, her rivalry with Priyanka Chopra was sharp and witty, playing out in television interviews and award ceremonies. In the early 2000s, Kareena reportedly turned down a role in Aitraaz that later went to Priyanka, a decision she later admitted was a mistake as the film boosted Priyanka's career. Their tension deepened when Kareena questioned Priyanka's accent on Koffee with Karan.

Priyanka clapped back, cheekily crediting the same place Saif Ali Khan got his- a stinger of a comeback. The jabs continued for years, with Kareena once downplaying Priyanka's National Award as "sour grapes." Yet with time, both actresses matured and turned into great friends, even making an appearance together on Koffee With Karan, celebrating their bond.

Govinda vs David Dhawan

Govinda and David Dhawan were once Bollywood's dream team, churning out comedies that guaranteed box office gold. Their partnership defined the 90s, but cracks appeared when David allegedly suggested that Govinda should settle for second-lead roles like Amitabh Bachchan or Akshay Kumar. Govinda, known for his pride and charisma, saw it as betrayal.

The camaraderie that gave audiences hits like Coolie No. 1 and Hero No. 1 suddenly turned to bitterness. Govinda later admitted feeling sidelined and claimed David had moved on to younger actors. For years they remained estranged, with Govinda hinting at being "used and dumped." Recently, however, time and nostalgia healed the wounds. The two have reunited publicly, with Govinda posting that bygones should be bygones.

These rivalries weren't just personal squabbles; they shaped careers, altered friendships, and became cultural talking points for millions of fans. Some ended in hugs, some faded with time, and others still smolder quietly, unresolved.

In a way, these feuds added to their legend, turning actors into icons not just for their films but also for the stories they lived outside of them.