It’s widely believed there can only be working relationships in the entertainment industry. That two people — be it co-stars or actors or filmmakers, are yoked in a yaarana only until they are working together. Uske baad, khuda haafiz? Not necessarily. There are many Bollywood friendships which defy skepticism and unbelievable work pressure to remain permanently stable in a world of opportunism and self-serving motivations. Here’s celebrating some lifelong (Touchwood!) Bollywood dostis...
Salman Khan-Sooraj Barjatya
When Salman Khan broke down at Sooraj Barjatya’s cousin Rajat’s memorial meeting, it became clear to the world that these two friends share a closeness far beyond work. The two did not work together for 14 years. But the unspoken bond between the soft-spoken, gentle, unassuming director and the flamboyant superstar remained. Sooraj once told me, “Salman is like my own brother. We share a bonding that goes beyond the films that we work on, together.” While one goes to sleep at the time that the other wakes up, the two spiritually bonded friends even resembled each other physically during the making of Hum Aapke Hain.. Koun. The character Prem that Salman plays in Sooraj’s films is actually the director’s alter-ego. And when Hrithik Roshan tried to play him in Sooraj’s Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon, disaster struck. There is only one Prem in Sooraj Barjatya’s cinema.
Ranbir Kapoor-Ayan Mukerji
The joke in the film industry is, girlfriends may come and girlfriends may go, but Ranbir’s dosti with Ayan Mukerji goes on forever. Amen to that.
Abhishek Bachchan-Goldie Behl
While Abhishek’s dad doesn’t really have any best friends except his own son, Abhishek is a buddy’s buddy. Outgoing and loyal, Abhishek’s friendship with filmmaker Goldie Behl has lasted since their childhood and outlasted two thundering flops that Goldie directed with Abhishek. “I don’t care whether the films with Goldie work or not. Our friendship is not work-based.”
Anil Kapoor-Anupam Kher
Their friendship went through a dark phase when Anil did his own version of Mahatma Gandhi’s story knowing very well that Anupam was doing it. But all acrimony has been washed away. Now Anil and Anupam are the proverbial peas in a pod. Says Kher, “I can drop in at Anil’s for breakfast or dinner unannounced if my wife is not around. We don’t need to be formal with one another. We are not.”
Farhan Akhtar-Ritesh Sidhwani
Friends first, business partners later. Farhan and Ritesh continue to work and bond together, although they lead separate lives. “We don’t have to meet every day. We are not married to one another. We have separate lives. But we’ve been friends long enough to not let vested interests spoil it,” says Farhan.
Shatrughan Sinha-Pahlaj Nihalani
Pahlaj Nihalani considers himself the Hanuman to Shatrughan Sinha’s Ram. Indeed, he has been a loyal and trusted friend to not just the Sinha scion, but also his entire family. The twins Luv Kush and daughter Sonakshi spent many hours of their growing years on Pahlaj Uncle’s lap. Says Pahlaj, “We may not meet every day due to our killing schedules. But the minute he needs me, I am there. We do not have to talk about our friendship. It is there, like the air we breathe,” says Pahlaj emotionally.
Rakesh Roshan-Jeetendra
The two, often joined by Rishi Kapoor, would meet every evening over drinks and gossip sessions, until a few years ago, when family obligations made the daily bonding difficult. But Rakesh and Jeetu still meet. “We’re been friends for over 30 years. Our friendship has nothing to do with work,” says Rakesh. Sadly, their children (Jeetendra’s Tusshar and Ekta, Rakesh’s Hrithik and Sunaina) do not share their fathers’ mutual affection.
Asha Parekh-Shammi
The actress Shammi is now 86, unable to hear or walk properly. But best friend Asha Parekh looks out for her pal, Says Asha, “Shammi Aunty—I call her that because she’s much older to me — is no longer able to move out of her home. It is difficult to have a conversation with her. But she has been my friend for 50 years. We don’t have to talk to each other to communicate. She knows I am there for her.”
Danny Denzongpa-Jaya Bachchan
They know each another from the time when they were FTII alumni. When Jaya was seeing Amitabh, she often confided in Danny about her feelings. He, in turn, has been a steadfast influence in Jaya’s life. “We don’t meet or even talk that often anymore. But she knows I am there for her,” says Danny.
Rani Mukerji-Vaibhavi Merchant
This actor-choreographer bonding has lasted for more than a decade. Rani and Vaibhavi are so close that when the former married filmmaker Aditya Chopra, cynics in the film industry wondered if Vaibhavi would accompany Rani to Aditya’s home as part of the dowry gift.
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 "Bollywood, Friendships Day, Salman Khan, Sooraj Barjatya, Ranbir Kapoor, Ayan Mukerji, Abhishek Bachchan, Goldie Behl, Anil Kapo")
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