‘She felt betrayed by the industry…’: Prahlad Kakkar recalls Aishwarya Rai’s heartbreak after Salman Khan breakup

Years after one of Bollywood’s most discussed celebrity breakups, veteran advertising filmmaker Prahlad Kakkar has revisited the period following Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Salman Khan’s separation, claiming the actress felt deeply let down by the film industry.

Speaking in a recent interview, Kakkar recalled supporting Aishwarya during the difficult phase and said the emotional impact of the breakup was overshadowed by what she allegedly perceived as a lack of support from the industry.

According to Kakkar, Aishwarya was not devastated by the end of the relationship itself. Instead, he claimed she was deeply affected by the belief that many people in Bollywood had sided with Salman Khan, leaving her feeling isolated and betrayed.

He further alleged that the actress had started losing faith in the industry, believing she had not been treated fairly during the controversy. Kakkar said she was concerned about her future in films and worried that her career would suffer after the relationship ended.

The filmmaker also described the breakup as a “relief”, claiming it brought an end to a difficult chapter in Aishwarya’s life. According to him, he encouraged the actress to stay positive and assured her that things would eventually improve.

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Kakkar also made claims about Salman Khan’s behaviour during that period, alleging that the actor was extremely possessive and emotionally intense. However, he clarified that Aishwarya Rai never personally discussed the details of the relationship with him.

Instead, he said his observations were based on the fact that he lived in the same residential building where the couple stayed. According to Kakkar, he had witnessed several public arguments and emotional confrontations in the building’s common areas.

He also claimed that the relationship had effectively ended long before it was officially announced in 2002. Following their separation, Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan never worked together again on any film project.

In the years that followed, Aishwarya briefly addressed the breakup during an interview with Simi Garewal, but chose not to publicly discuss the details of her personal life.

Neither Aishwarya Rai Bachchan nor Salman Khan has responded to Prahlad Kakkar’s latest remarks. The comments reflect Kakkar’s personal recollections and opinions, and the claims have not been independently verified by Dainik Diary.

Despite the passage of more than two decades, the relationship between Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan continues to attract public attention, remaining one of Bollywood’s most talked-about chapters.