'I don't live on an I, me, myself basis': Aishwarya Rai on keeping Salman Khan breakup private

Aishwarya Rai has largely kept her past relationship with Salman Khan away from public discussions. During a solo appearance on Rendezvous with Simi Garewal in 2012, the actor opened up about why she chose not to revisit her much-discussed breakup, making it clear that the chapter belonged in the past.

When host Simi Garewal asked her to look back at the relationship, Aishwarya maintained that she did not wish to discuss the episode on a public platform. Her decision, she explained, was not just about protecting herself but also about shielding her family and loved ones from unnecessary scrutiny.

Why Aishwarya Rai refused to revisit the past

During the conversation, Simi asked Aishwarya, “Can you look back at the Salman episode objectively?”

The actor responded, “I think I'd shut it out. I think I wouldn't want to get into looking at it in any way, especially on a public platform. I really wouldn't want to,” replied Aishwarya.

When Simi asked whether talking about the episode brought back negative emotions, Aishwarya made her position clear.

“I've exorcised my demons. It's a thing of the past. It needs to be left right there,” Aishwarya said emphatically.

Asked why she continued to avoid the subject if she had moved on, the actor explained that her life involved more than just herself.

“I chose not to talk about it because I am not a soloist. I am not a person who lives my life on an ‘I, me, myself' basis. With me comes my family, my loved ones, people I love and care for very dearly. So there's an obvious wall. I don't deny it,” Aishwarya defended her stance.

She also spoke about how public comments could affect the people involved, pointing out that those she might discuss were individuals with feelings and personal relationships of their own.

“While I am a public person, I haven't lost touch with the fact that I am a normal girl. And the people I talk about are normal people—people with feelings, with normal relationships in their lives, with their parents, with their loved ones,” Aishwarya said.

A look back at Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan's relationship

Aishwarya and Salman reportedly grew close while working on Sanjay Leela Bhansali's ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ in 1999. Their relationship ended in 2002 amid considerable public attention.

Reports later linked Salman to an incident on the sets of ‘Chalte Chalte’, following which Aishwarya was replaced by Rani Mukerji in the film opposite Shah Rukh Khan. Salman's subsequent public feud with Vivek Oberoi, who was reportedly in a relationship with Aishwarya, also drew attention.

Aishwarya married actor Abhishek Bachchan in April 2007. The couple have a daughter, Aaradhya.