With Shah Rukh Khan playing the tragic lover Devdas, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan portraying the graceful Paro and Madhuri Dixit delivering a memorable performance as Chandramukhi, the film blended grandeur with heartbreak in a way that remains unforgettable even today.

The music, the elaborate sets and the poetic storytelling turned Devdas into one of the most visually stunning films in Hindi cinema. But hidden behind its lavish frames is a little-known anecdote that sounds almost unbelievable. According to a widely shared story from the film's production days, one of the most delicate moments in the song "Morey Piya" was not actually performed by Shah Rukh Khan - but by Salman Khan.

Yes, you read that right. And the story behind it is as dramatic as any Bollywood plot.

The Magic Of "Morey Piya" That Still Lives On

Among the many unforgettable songs in Devdas, "Morey Piya" holds a special place. The sequence beautifully captures Devdas and Paro's quiet, emotional connection.

The scene is gentle, poetic and intimate - everything that defines Bhansali's storytelling style. Audiences were captivated by the chemistry between Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, whose on-screen pairing had already won hearts in earlier films.

However, one particular moment in the song - a subtle and tender gesture - carries a surprising backstory.

A Love Story That Had Already Turned Complicated

To understand the moment, one must go back a few years. Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan had met while working on Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), another Sanjay Leela Bhansali film.

Their on-screen chemistry quickly translated into a real-life relationship that became one of the most talked-about romances in Bollywood at the time.

But the relationship eventually turned turbulent and ended on bitter terms. By the time Devdas was being shot, the two had already parted ways, and the personal equation between them had reportedly become strained.

Why Salman Khan Was Present On The Devdas Set

Despite the complicated past, Salman Khan remained close friends with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Because of that friendship, he occasionally dropped by the sets of Devdas during its shooting schedule.

One such visit turned unexpectedly memorable.

Film critic and author Anupama Chopra, in her book King of Bollywood: Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema, recounts an intriguing incident from the making of the song "Morey Piya".

The Thorn Scene That Created Bollywood Trivia

During the filming of the song, the crew was preparing to shoot a delicate moment. In the scene, Devdas gently removes a thorn from Paro's foot - a symbolic gesture that reflects both care and vulnerability.

The shot was extremely specific.

• The camera focused only on hands and feet
• Faces were not visible in the frame
• The emphasis was on the gesture rather than the actors

As Shah Rukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai were getting ready for the take, Salman Khan reportedly stepped forward and began demonstrating how the scene should be performed. Bhansali, sensing the spontaneity of the moment, kept the camera rolling.

What happened next surprised everyone. Salman Khan himself performed the action of removing the thorn from Aishwarya Rai's foot - and the camera captured it.

A Shot That Quietly Stayed In The Film

Because the scene was filmed as a close-up with no faces visible, the moment worked perfectly within the sequence. The shot eventually remained in the final cut of Devdas. For those few seconds in "Morey Piya", the hands seen on screen were not Shah Rukh Khan's - they belonged to Salman Khan. Most viewers never realised it. The moment blended seamlessly into the film's narrative.

Did You Know?

• Devdas was India's official entry to the Academy Awards (Oscars) in 2003.
• The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, marking a proud moment for Indian cinema.
• The production was one of the most expensive Bollywood films of its time.

The song "Morey Piya" remains one of the most visually poetic sequences ever shot in Hindi cinema. And perhaps the most surprising trivia of all - the song quietly carries a brief moment involving three of Bollywood's biggest stars.

The Last Time Salman Khan And Aishwarya Rai Shared A Frame

Interestingly, the thorn-removal shot is often described as the last time Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai appeared in the same filmed moment, even if their faces never appear together on screen. Soon after those years, their lives moved in completely different directions. Aishwarya Rai later married Abhishek Bachchan in 2007 and became Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Salman Khan, meanwhile, remained one of Bollywood's biggest stars and continues to dominate the industry decades later.

A Small Moment That Became Film Lore

Cinema often hides fascinating stories behind its most fleeting moments. The thorn scene in Devdas is one such example - a quiet shot that carries a surprising piece of Bollywood history. For audiences watching the film, it remains a tender gesture between Devdas and Paro. But for those who know the story, it is also a rare moment when three of Hindi cinema's biggest names - Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan - became part of the same scene in the most unexpected way.

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