Salman Khan and Preity Zinta were once rumoured to be in a relationship, which was one reason for his breakup with Aishwarya Rai.

Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai’s relationship has ruled the headlines for many years. The duo fell in love during the making of the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The two were head-over-heels in love and were all set to tie the knot. However, things took an ugly turn, and the once madly in love couple parted ways.

It reached the point that Aishwarya accused Salman of verbal, physical and emotional torture, which ultimately led to their breakup. It was also alleged that while being in a relationship with Aishwarya, Salman cheated on her with Preity Zinta. It was claimed that Salman Khan’s phone was tapped, and a tape of his conversation with Aishwarya Rai was released on TV channels.

Salman Khan allegedly admitted about his secret relationship with Preity Zinta

All hell broke loose when Hindustan Times released the transcript of the tape, which was alleged to be a conversation between Salman and Aishwarya on August 28, 2001. In the alleged conversation, Salman hurled abuses at Aishwarya and also told her about his physical relationship with Preity Zinta during the making of the film, Chori Chori Chupke Chupke. It was later revealed by the forensics that the tapes were doctored and false.

Preity Zinta reacted to the rumours of her linkup with Salman Khan

The alleged leaked tape created a lot of uproar and shocked the entire film industry. Not just this, after the leaked tape, Preity, who was in a steady relationship with businessman, Ness Wadia, had an ugly breakup with him. Later, in an interview with The Times of India, Preity addressed the rumours of her relationship with Salman and stated:

“Salman is a very good friend of mine. I have known him for a long time, and we have always been there for each other. But there has never been anything more than friendship between us.”

 

Preity Zinta married Gene Goodenough in 2016, and the two settled in the US. Preity and Gene welcomed their twin babies, Jai and Gia, via surrogacy. The actress travels to India for work, and she once shared that Salman has a great rapport with her husband, Gene.

When Aishwarya Rai talked about her abusive relationship with Salman Khan

Coming back to Salman and Aishwarya’s failed relationship, the actress ended her relationship with Salman in 2002 after enduring his alcoholism and abuses. In a throwback interview with The Times of India, Aishwarya bared her heart out about her abusive relationship with Salman. Revealing how Salman couldn’t come to terms with their breakup, Aishwarya stated:

“Salman and I broke up last March, but he isn’t able to come to terms with it. After we broke up, he would call me and talk rubbish. He also suspected me of having affairs with my co-stars. I was linked up with everyone, from Abhishek Bachchan to Shah Rukh Khan. There were times when Salman got physical with me, luckily without leaving any marks. And I would go to work as if nothing had happened.”

Aishwarya Rai moved on in her life and got married to Abhishek Bachchan in 2007.  In 2010, Aishwarya’s ex, Salman Khan, gave an epic reaction to the former’s wedding and the fact that she moved on in her life. In his interview with India TV, Salman had said:

“I am very happy she is married to Abhishek. He is a great guy from a good family. The best thing I can want for her is that she leads a happy life.”

Despite all the ugly gossip, Salman Khan and Preity Zinta still share a tremendous bond.