I am very much connected to Salman Khan, he is always just an SMS away

2013 was not a year Hrithik Roshan will remember with a smile. The actor was knocked out of action by a freak accident on the sets of Bang Bang. The surgery that followed went off smoothly but Hrithik landed another hard knock when his marriage of 13 years came apart following irrevocable differences.

Hrithik took off on a holiday alone and returned rejuvenated. Earlier this month, he flew down to Shimla to resume work on Bang Bang, determined that the film would keep its October 2 date with the theatres. Towards the fag end of the schedule, which wrapped up on February 12, Katrina Kaif joined the unit and Hrithik who has been trying valiantly to come to terms with his separation from childhood sweetheart Sussanne, has found a good friend in her.

A source from the unit says that the growing proximity between the lead pair is evident during the shoot in Manali. While Katrina was one of those who tried to boost his morale when he broke up with his wife, Hrithik responded by offering her a comforting shoulder following her New Year's tiff with Ranbir Kapoor on the subject of marriage.

"Both are recovering from recent heartbreaks and have found an anchor in each other," adds the source, pointing out that when Hrithik was hospitalised, Katrina went straight to meet him after returning from her famous Ibiza trip with Ranbir.

"His injury delayed Bang Bang and Katrina's schedule was knocked for a six. But she stood by his side and accommodated all the date changes without complaining. On the contrary, she was always trying to cheer him up by calling him up or sending his text messages."

The duo travelled across Spain while shooting for Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. She also did a special song and dance number in his Agneepath. The song Chikni Chameli was shot over three days with Hrithik on the sets for just a day. Bang Bang has brought them together once again and according to the source their friendship seems to have deepened.

"In Shimla, they spent a lot of time discussing life and cinema after pack up. They were very chilled out, chatting with the hotel staff and would even pose for pictures with them. The equation is just as good in Manali where they will shoot a song in almost sub-zero temperature."