When Preity Zinta addressed dating rumours with Salman Khan: “He is family, he is my closest…”

salman and preity

• Preity Zinta says she never dated Salman Khan, calls him her closest friend.
• She shared birthday wishes and nostalgic photos with Salman Khan online.
• Their bond stems from years of working together in Bollywood films.

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In a throwback moment that resurfaced online, Preity Zinta once set the record straight about persistent rumours linking her romantically with superstar Salman Khan, emphasising that their bond has always been platonic and rooted in friendship. The clarification came during a fan Q&A on X (formerly Twitter) in late December 2024, when Zinta posted a heartfelt birthday message for Khan and playfully responded to a fan’s curious question about their past.

To mark Salman Khan’s 59th birthday, Preity shared several warm photos with him on social media, including candid snapshots and onscreen moments from their films together. Her caption read, “Happy Burrday @BeingSalmanKhan. Just wanna say I love you the mostest… and yes, we need more photos otherwise I will keep posting the same old ones!” — a message that delighted fans and reignited nostalgia for their onscreen pairing.

Amid the flood of birthday wishes and comments, one fan asked Zinta a question that has lingered in Bollywood gossip circles for years: “Did you two ever date?” Without skipping a beat, the actress playfully but unambiguously replied, “No, not at all! He is family & my closest friend and my husband’s friend too… just in case you were wondering.” Her response made it clear that the close connection she shares with Khan is one of friendship and mutual respect — not romance.

Preity and Salman’s friendship dates back to their work in several popular films in the late 1990s and early 2000s, including Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, which helped cement their on-screen chemistry and off-screen camaraderie. Over the years, they have continued to speak fondly of one another, with Zinta previously describing Khan as loyal and loyal-hearted in interviews.

Also read: When Shah Rukh Khan told Preity Zinta 'I will make you pregnant' leaving her visibly uncomfortable

The clarification offered during that fan interaction served to gently dispel long-standing speculation about their relationship, reaffirming what many fans already suspected — that their connection is grounded in years of collaboration, shared memories, and genuine friendship.