Gajendra Chauhan, the actor best remembered for playing Yudhishthir in the legendary television series ‘Mahabharat’, has professionally crossed paths with two towering figures of Hindi cinema: Amitabh Bachchan and Salman Khan. In a recent interview, he looked back on working with both actors, sharing recollections that left a lasting impression on him.

Chauhan reflects on working with two Bollywood giants

Speaking recently on the Hindi Rush podcast, Chauhan looked back on a scene from Baghban where his character had to strike Amitabh, revealing the inner conflict he experienced given his admiration for the senior actor. He shared that he went up to Bachchan with the script in hand, requesting a rehearsal before the shot. “I had the script in my hand. I went to him, pulled up a chair, and said, ‘Sir, can we do a rehearsal?’ He said, ‘Yes, sure, sure.’ He’s very fond of rehearsals,” Chauhan recalled.Yet, when the moment arrived to actually shoot the scene, Chauhan admitted he found himself holding back. “So I told him, ‘Sir, in this scene, I have to do something that my heart isn’t allowing me to do.’ He asked, ‘What?’ I said, ‘I am supposed to hit you.’” According to Chauhan, Bachchan’s reply was a testament to how seriously he took his craft. “He said one line, and that line shows his greatness. He said, ‘Hit with full intensity.’”

Why Amitabh Bachchan never let stardom get in the way

He noted that this particular moment left a lasting impact on him, as Bachchan never let his superstar status get in the way of delivering an authentic performance. “This one line tells you why Bachchan sahab is Bachchan sahab. He didn’t think, ‘He’s a newcomer, and I’m telling him to hit me hard.’ He wanted me to hit him with full force so that the impact would come through,” he said. “He could have thought, ‘I’m such a big star, a superstar, and if this guy hits me, it won’t look good.’ But he did the exact opposite: ‘Hit with full intensity.’ That is Amitabh Bachchan sahab,” he added.

Gajendra Chauhan on Salman Khan’s warmth

Chauhan also spoke fondly about working with Salman Khan, having collaborated with him on two or three films over the years. He commended Khan not just for his acting but also for his warmth and generosity towards those around him. “Amazing. I’ve done two or three films with him. He is incredible, especially in terms of his behaviour. I don’t think there is anyone better when it comes to helping people or standing by someone,” Chauhan said. “He can be a good friend, a good companion, and he is obviously a great artist. But his personality is like a coconut. On the outside, he looks very tough, but inside, he is extremely soft. His heart is very soft,” he added.

The Being Human story shared by Salim Khan

He went on to narrate a story told to him by Salman’s father, writer Salim Khan, highlighting the star’s charitable work through Being Human. “Salim Khan saab had come to our CINTAA event as a guest, and he told us a story. Salman Khan saab runs Being Human, the foundation. He told us that they used to do a gathering where people would come and tell their problems and the help they needed. So once there was a man sitting there, and he said, ‘My son has cancer, and I need Rs 30,000.’ Salman sahab was also sitting, and he said, ‘Give it to him.’ They gave that man Rs 30,000,” Chauhan recalled.He then went on to describe what unfolded when the same man showed up at a subsequent gathering. “Salim Khan saab said that the next time they had another gathering where people came seeking help, that same man came and sat down again. Salim Khan saab became suspicious. He thought, ‘Something is wrong with this man. Why has he come back?’ So he asked him, ‘What happened? Why have you come again?’ The man said, ‘Sir, I’ve come to return the money. The purpose for which I took it was not fulfilled. My son died.’”

Salman’s support helped him rebuild his life

According to Chauhan, everyone in the room was touched by the man’s honesty. He mentioned that Salim Khan had also shared details of how Salman went on to support the man in getting his life back on track. Since the man earned his living selling tea, he was assisted in opening a shop of his own in Thane, with an investment running into several lakh rupees to get the business off the ground.