The strange case of Salman Khan and Deepika Padukone

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In many ways, they can be considered the Numero Unos in their fields, Shah Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt notwithstanding. Salman Khan and Deepika Padukone have been at the top of the game now for, seemingly, ages. And yet, they have never come together!

This is a bit like Dilip Kumar and Nutan never co-starring until they were both essentially character artistes (Karma in 1986, Kanoon Apna Apna in 1989) way after the 1950s and 1960s, when they ruled. And so we hope this case will be different!

Let us have a look at their lost chances.

Om Shanti Om (2007)—Film 1

The irony begins with Deepika Padukone’s debut film itself, Om Shanti Om in 2007, which starred Salman Khan among a host of other stars featuring in cameos in the song Deewangee. But the two never came face to face.

Main Aur Mrs Khanna (2009)—Film 2

This Salman Khan home production co-starring Kareena Kapoor Khan had Deepika Padukone making a cameo as Raina, sharing the same name as the leading lady’s character. She stars in a less-than-three minute sequence with Sohail Khan and Yash Tonk and never ‘meets’ the hero.

Pathaan (2023)—Film 3

In Pathaan, Salman Khan made an action-studded cameo as Tiger from his YRF franchise with Shah Rukh Khan. The heroine was Deepika Padukone, but they shared no scene together.

Singham Again (2024)—Film 4

This Diwali 2024 movie saw Deepika Padukone as the latest addition (and first female cop) in the YRF Spy Universe. In the post-climax, Salman Khan appeared as the eponymous Chulbul Pandey from Dabangg. Again, they never came together in a frame, though Rohit Shetty is actually planning a Chulbul Singham!

…And the ones that never happened

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)

In 2014, there was great excitement generated among fans when hotshot director Sooraj R. Barjatya offered the heroine’s role opposite Salman Khan to Deepika in Prem Ratan Dhan Payo. Reports suggested that she declined the offer as she did not find any substance in the role. Others stated that she did not have the dates. The role went to Sonam Kapoor, whose first film, Saawariya, had released on the same date as Om Shanti Om, and in which she had been cast romantically opposite both Ranbir Kapoor and Salman Khan (who had made a special appearance). A trivia of interest here: Deepika went on later to star in three films made by Sonam’s mentor, Sanjay Leela Bhansali!

Sultan (2016)

YRF also wanted to bring Salman and Deepika together in Sultan, but for unknown reasons, she turned down the role. Buzz was that she was in the “Shah Rukh Khan camp”, but by 2013, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman had already patched up, so this reason, at least, did not make any sense.

And now the big Q: When will these big names come together. Their fans are waiting!