Renowned actor Zeeshan Ayyub recently spoke about a tense moment during the shoot of Kabir Khan’s 2017 film Tubelight, where he had to slap Salman Khan. His first day of filming in Manali became challenging when he was asked to perform the scene, which showed Salman’s character falling into a river.
The first take was done with a body double, but the close-up required Zeeshan to act directly with Salman. Zeeshan admitted he felt pressure to make the slap look real while also showing respect. Salman noticed his hesitation and reassured him to bring his hand close enough so that his hair would move naturally.
Zeeshan recalled that his heart raced, fearing the bold scene could harm his career. He followed Salman’s instructions, and the scene turned out perfectly, with Salman later telling him he did well. Zeeshan said it became one of his proudest moments regardless of the outcome.
The same year was special for him as he worked with both Shah Rukh Khan in Raees and Salman Khan in Tubelight. Today, he is celebrated for his performance in JioHotstar’s Criminal Justice: A Family Matter and continues to entertain audiences. Actress Indira Krishna once shared a similar fear while filming Tere Naam.
Fans on social media noted that while respect is important, actors should not fear career damage over an on-screen slap. Salman’s “Bhai” image remains influential in the industry, which is why many newcomers are careful about such scenes.
