If I had hit a woman, she wouldn't have survived: Salman Khan

Is the 'Dabangg' star hinting at Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's previous claims of abuse?

It's no news that Bollywood superstars Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan were romantically involved with each other during the late 90s. But their relationship hit a rough patch and Aishwarya called it quits. In 2002, the former Miss World revealed that the Dabangg star physically assaulted her on multiple occasions.

Aishwarya Rai speaks of abusive relationship with Salman Khan in a throwback interview

Pinkvilla reported Aishwarya saying, "He would call me and talk rubbish. He also suspected that I was having affairs with my co-stars. There were times when Salman got physical with me, luckily without leaving any marks. I would go to work as if nothing happened. That is why, like any other self-respecting woman, I ended my relationship with him."

PHOTO: PINKVILLA

With the ongoing #MeToo movement that has finally hit Bollywood, a throwback interview of Salman has been going viral. The footage belongs to NDTV, wherein the journalist asks the Sultan actor if he ever hit a woman, implying Aishwarya.

PHOTO: TIGER ZINDA HAI/SCREENGRAB

Salman recalled when another journalist had asked him the same question a long time ago. He said that he had banged the table which left the journalist startled. The Bajrangi Bhaijaan actor added, "The table nearly broke. So if I were to beat someone up, it's obviously going to be a fight and I would be angry. And if I was to hit any woman, I'd give her my best shot. I don't think she would survive it."

Watch Salman Khan's ridiculous answer when a journo asked if he had hit Aishwarya Rai pic.twitter.com/BFAbfKIFKS

— Od (@odshek) May 25, 2017

However, a couple of months after Aishwarya's 2002 interview, Salman responded to her allegations. He said, "I have never beaten her. I get emotional and hurt myself. I have banged my head against the wall but I cannot hurt anyone else,” he stated.

How Aishwarya, Kangana emerged victorious without #MeToo

Have something to add to the story? Share in the comments below.