Bangladeshi actress and dancer Mehbooba Mahnoor Chandni has shared a childhood memory of meeting Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, posting photographs to prove the encounter after some people questioned her stories in interviews.
Chandni said she was a huge fan of Salman Khan from childhood and used to put up his pictures around her home, including near her study table.
The meeting took place around 1997–98, when Salman visited Bangladesh for a scheduled programme at Gulistan Stadium.
Chandni bought a VIP ticket for Tk3,000 using money she had saved from acting in children’s roles and advertisements. However, the event was cancelled for security and other reasons.
Later, Chandni learnt that Salman was staying at the Sheraton Hotel, now InterContinental Dhaka. She went there with her mother, friend Sadia Islam and photographer Mohsin.
After managing to gain access to his room, she found the actor alone and asked to take a photograph with him.
Chandni recalled holding his hand throughout their brief meeting. Salman asked her name and signed an autograph: “Chandni, for your Salman.” She also asked about his birthday, and he told her it was 27 December.
The actress said she was so excited that she did not wash the hand she had held for seven days after returning home. Looking back, she described it as the excitement of a young fan.
Chandni said she first became fond of Salman after watching him in a small role as actress Rekha’s brother-in-law in a film. She later became a fan after watching Maine Pyar Kiya (1989).
Although she also admired Sridevi, Shah Rukh Khan and Aamir Khan, Salman remained her favourite.
Explaining why she posted the photographs now, Chandni said she often mentioned meeting Salman in interviews, but some people thought she was making up the story.
The pictures had remained with her friend, who recently shared them with her.
Alongside the photographs, Chandni wrote: “With my Sallu. This is for those who watched my interviews and said I was making it up.”
