Smita remembers that Salman and Aishwarya often arrived late on set, and that they were "both in love." She said that their feelings were obvious and that their chemistry helped make the movie more appealing.
"It was blossoming then.They were both in love, and they looked angelic.Aishwarya looked divine at that time.Somehow, it worked for the film.That magic came through on screen," she said.
She also mentioned how their relationship sometimes affected the shooting schedule.
The crew sometimes got frustrated when the actors arrived late even though they had early call times.Smita recalled that the couple would often come together, focused on each other and unaware of the waiting crew.
"The rest of the crew would complain, saying, 'These people arrive so late.
We have a 7 am shift, and we have been waiting here until 10 am.They still haven't arrived!' But I always felt that when you're in love, what can you say?" she said.
She explained their late arrivals, saying, "They would both arrive at 11 am, together, oblivious to everything around them and to the fact that the entire set was waiting for them.
But that's what happens when you're in love."
Smita also recalled an incident during the filming of the song "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan." According to her, Salman was supposed to walk around a table and look at Aishwarya, but he touched her arm, which wasn't part of the planned action.
The moment reportedly caused the filmmaker to question the actor.
"Salman had to come and walk all the way around the table, while Aishwarya was standing there.
He touched her arm, which he wasn't supposed to do.Sanjay asked him, 'Salman, why did you touch her?'" Smita recalled.
She explained Salman's action, saying, "He just felt like touching her.
He was in love, so he touched her, but that wasn't how the scene was supposed to be done.Sanjay shouted at him and asked why he had done that.Salman was only supposed to stand there and look at her in the scene." The actress added that the incident left the crew laughing and Aishwarya blushing.
*Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam*, released in 1999, starred Salman Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and Ajay Devgn.
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the romantic drama followed a young woman caught between her feelings for a former lover and her marriage.The film is remembered for its music, visual style, and performances.