Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s off-screen banter from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam resurfaces after two decades

More than two decades after its release, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam continues to hold a special place in the collective memory of Bollywood audiences. The 1999 Sanjay Leela Bhansali film, starring Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai, and Ajay Devgn, was not only a commercial success but also became a cultural milestone.

Now, a rare behind-the-scenes video from the sets has resurfaced, giving fans a fresh glimpse of its making. The montage, which is circulating widely on social media, captures candid moments between the film’s lead actors and director.

The footage opens with Aishwarya Rai rehearsing her dialogues with Bhansali, dressed in character as Nandini. Her interactions reflect the director’s famously detailed approach to performance and staging. Towards the end, Salman Khan joins the frame during one of their key sequences, with moments that shift from rehearsals to light-hearted exchanges, offering viewers a window into the off-screen camaraderie.

Unsurprisingly, the video triggered a wave of nostalgia online. Many social media users revisited memories of the film’s release, when its music and visuals dominated popular culture. One user on Reddit wrote that Aishwarya’s screen presence often made it difficult to focus on anything but her face, while another remarked that her appeal in those years felt “unmatched.”

While much of the online commentary veered towards admiration for Aishwarya’s appearance, the resurfaced clip also served as a reminder of a cinematic era that shaped audience tastes at the turn of the millennium. For many, it evoked a sense of longing for what they describe as a “golden phase” of mainstream Hindi cinema.

Released in June 1999, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam told the story of a love triangle marked by themes of passion, tradition, and sacrifice. With its elaborate sets, chart-topping soundtrack, and intense performances, the film secured a place in the canon of Hindi romantic dramas. It went on to win several awards and continues to be referenced in discussions about Bhansali’s most defining works.

The resurfaced behind-the-scenes footage may not reveal much beyond candid moments, but its timing reinforces how enduringly the film resonates with audiences who still seek traces of its magic, decades later.