Bhagyashree, Salman Khan’s first leading lady from Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), looks back at her journey with the superstar and reflects on how much and how little he has changed over the years. From their early days on set to reuniting decades later in Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023), she says Salman continues to hold a special place in her life.

Recalling their bond from the very beginning, Bhagyashree says Salman always had a rare balance of fun and responsibility. “In those days, Salman was a total prankster. But we bonded as friends, and he was very protective of me. That hasn’t changed,” she shares.

She adds that even during the early years of her marriage, Salman remained a constant presence. “He was a mix of fun and maturity. While he would be pranking someone or the other all the time, he was also the steadfast friend one would want. He would regularly ask me after my marriage if I was okay, knowing I did not have my family with me at that time.”

That sense of care, she says, has extended to her family over the years. Speaking about their reunion on Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, Bhagyashree shares, “On the sets of the film, the way he took care of me, my husband Himalaya ji, and our son Abhimanyu was amazing. Over the years, I know we have grown in different directions and therefore do not meet often, but ever since he met Abhimanyu, he has always kept track of him and his work. And it works both ways. Abhimanyu also likes to share his journey with Salman and take advice from time to time. Salman has always been special. Back then and now, for me, my first hero will never change.”

Bhagyashree also points out a softer side of Salman that many may not be fully aware of. “One thing that has come to light over the years is his bonding with kids. He loves them. He dotes on his nieces and nephews.”

Reflecting on how life has shaped him, she notes visible changes in his temperament. She says, “Salman was livelier and more fun-loving then. He has become more serious now. Life has thrown a lot of oddballs at him, and because of that, he has become more closed off. He vibes only with people who are closest to him.”

She also addresses how his larger-than-life presence is often misunderstood. “People get intimidated by the aura that surrounds Salman the moment he walks in. I do not think he does anything to make people uncomfortable. He is just himself. He does not create noise or any hoo-ha about his entry, but because there are always people around him, everyone knows he has arrived. He has simply become quieter than he was earlier,” she concludes.

Asked what makes Salman an enduring brand beyond box office numbers and superstardom, Bhagyashree attributes it to something far more intangible. “Blessings and duas he gets from all the people he has helped over the years. There are loads of people who swear by his generosity. I think kindness begets blessings,” she says.