When Salman Khan slapped Subhash Ghai after he allegedly urinated on his shoes, broke a plate on his face

Salman and Subhash Ghai

Bollywood has seen its fair share of controversies, but few have been as explosive as the night when Salman Khan, under the influence of alcohol, slapped veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai. This incident, which took place at a party, became one of the most talked-about brawls in the industry. However, what made it even more shocking were the alleged provocations that led to the altercation.

According to reports, Salman Khan admitted that he hit Subhash Ghai after a series of aggressive actions by the filmmaker. In an old interview with Lehren, published in 2002, Salman confessed that the incident was fueled by excessive drinking but claimed that he lost his temper due to Ghai’s behavior.

“I have hurt myself all over. I cannot hurt anyone else. I have only hit Subhash Ghai. Yet, I apologised to him the next day. That person hit me with a spoon, almost broke a plate on my face, urinated on my shoes, and grabbed me by the neck. I couldn’t control myself. And look what happened. The next day, I had to go and apologise.”

This statement shed light on the fact that while Salman was blamed for slapping Ghai, the confrontation was allegedly triggered by the filmmaker’s actions. Whether or not these claims were exaggerated remains unclear, but they certainly added another layer of complexity to an already sensationalized event.

The Role of Salim Khan: A Father’s Intervention

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, a renowned screenwriter and one of Bollywood’s most respected figures, played a crucial role in diffusing the situation. After learning about the fight, Salim Khan asked his son to take responsibility for his actions and apologize to Ghai.

In an old interview with Zoom, Salim Khan recalled how Salman approached him the morning after the fight and admitted his mistake.

“After the fight, the next morning when I was having my tea, he came to me and told me about the incident. I asked him if he realised it was his mistake, and he admitted that he was at fault and blamed alcohol for the fight. I advised him to pick up the call and apologise to Subhash, and he did it.”

This revelation highlighted that despite his rebellious image, Salman Khan was still deeply influenced by his father’s guidance. Salim Khan’s intervention ensured that the matter did not escalate further and prevented a long-term fallout between the actor and the filmmaker.

Subhash Ghai’s Reaction: A Surprising Reconciliation

Surprisingly, despite the ugly fight, Subhash Ghai chose to let bygones be bygones. He later collaborated with Salman Khan in the 2008 film Yuvvraaj and spoke about how the two eventually patched things up.

Subhash Ghai

Ghai shared his perspective on the fight and how Salman came to apologize:

“Salman came and stood in front of me like a guilty child. I smiled and asked him, ‘What happened to you last night?’ and he said, ‘I have come here because my father told me to do so.’ I said, ‘So you are not sorry?’ and he replied, ‘Of course I am.’ That’s how we broke the ice.”

The filmmaker’s response reflected a mature approach to the incident. Instead of holding a grudge, he acknowledged Salman’s apology and moved on. His willingness to forgive allowed their professional relationship to continue, proving that Bollywood, despite its dramatic feuds, often finds ways to mend broken ties.

The Aftermath: Lessons Learned

This incident became one of the defining moments in Salman Khan’s career, reinforcing his image as Bollywood’s bad boy while also showcasing his ability to admit fault and seek forgiveness. Over the years, he has been embroiled in numerous controversies, but his relationship with Subhash Ghai remained intact.

In 2022, Subhash Ghai even shared a warm post about Salman Khan, calling him a “pure soul” and a “big kid.” He posted a picture of them together, embracing each other, with the caption:

“Talking heart to heart with good friends is always a soul-stirring exercise. So with dear Salman at his home in eve last week. A big kid with a pure soul. Fun. God bless him best of life ahead @beingsalmankhan.”