Friendship Day 2026 in Bollywood: Salman Khan-Sanjay Dutt’s Brotherhood, Salman-SRK As BFFs to Ajay Devgn-Rohit Shetty’s Blockbuster Partnership and More

As India gears up to celebrate Friendship Day on Sunday, August 2, 2026, the spirit of camaraderie is palpable across the nation. In Bollywood, where relationships can be as fleeting as film trends, some bonds have proven to be as strong and enduring as the blockbusters they create. Superstars like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan have shown over the years that they value their best friends and cherish their friendship. LatestLY delves into the heartwarming stories of best friends who have truly stuck it out in the glittering world of Indian cinema, celebrating their unwavering support and memorable collaborations. Friendship Day 2026 Date: Why India Celebrates in August, Not July.

Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt: Brothers Through Thick and Thin

The friendship between Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt is a legendary tale of brotherhood that spans decades, both on and off-screen. Their camaraderie has translated into several memorable cinematic ventures. Fans fondly remember their performances in the romantic drama Saajan (1991) and David Dhawan's comedy Chal Mere Bhai (2000), co-starring Karisma Kapoor. Beyond lead roles, Salman also made a special cameo appearance in the song "Po Po" from Son of Sardaar (2012), a film that featured Sanjay Dutt and Ajay Devgn. Their bond extends to the small screen as well, having co-hosted Bigg Boss Season 5.

Salman Khan Shares Pics With Sanjay Dutt - See Post:

Their friendship was recently highlighted when Salman Khan posted a heartfelt tribute to Sanjay Dutt on social media after Dutt's 67th birthday on July 29, 2026. Salman affectionately called him "Babaaaa" and "mera bada bhai Sanjay Dutt," wishing him happiness. Sanjay Dutt, reciprocated this sentiment in a past interview, stating, "Salman is a lovely person, he's like a younger brother to me. I can't detach from him—he is my brother." Ahead of Friendship Day 2026, Salman Khan Shares Emotional Post About Sanjay Dutt (See Post).

Aamir Khan and Salman Khan: Iconic 'Amar-Prem' Duo

While they may not frequently collaborate on projects, the bond between once rivals Aamir Khan and Salman Khan is etched in cinematic history, primarily through their cult comedy Andaz Apna Apna. Released on November 4, 1994, the Rajkumar Santoshi directorial saw Aamir play Amar and Salman as Prem, alongside Raveena Tandon, Karisma Kapoor, and Paresh Rawal in a dual role. Produced by Vinay Kumar Sinha, with music by Viju Shah, the film, despite being an initial box office disappointment with reported collections of INR 8.65 million against a budget of INR 29 million, achieved immense cult status over the years. The Aamir-Salman on-screen chemistry as two daydreaming slackers vying for an heiress's affection remains a benchmark for comedy in Hindi cinema, enduring as a testament to their unique camaraderie. The two superstars remain close friends in real life.

Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan: From Friends to Rivals to Friends Again, 'Pathaan' and 'Tiger'

The friendship between Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan has navigated a roller-coaster of emotions, evolving from close pals to public adversaries and ultimately, a stronger bond. Their cinematic journey together began with the blockbuster Karan Arjun (1995), solidifying their image as Bollywood's dynamic leading duo. They continued to feature in each other's projects, with Salman Khan's cameo in SRK's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and Shah Rukh's appearance in Salman's Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega (2000). However, an infamous public spat at Katrina Kaif's birthday party in 2008 led to a period of estrangement between Salman and Shah Rukh. Years later, an Eid hug at politician Baba Siddique's Iftar party in 2013 marked the beginning of the legendary reconciliation, cemented by SRK's presence as a guest at the pre-wedding festivities of Salman's sister Arpita Khan in 2014. Friendship Day & KKHH Connection! Why Millennials Can't Forget This Iconic Scene.

The friendship of Salman and SRK reached new heights with their iconic crossover in the Yash Raj Films (YRF) Spy Universe. Salman Khan, reprising his role as Tiger, made a cameo appearance in Shah Rukh Khan's Pathaan, which hit theatres on January 25, 2023. However, their YRF film Tiger vs Pathaan, where the two would have been rivals, has been shelved or put on hold as of August 2026.

Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth: Legends United

The bond between cinematic titans Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth transcends geographical and linguistic boundaries of Hindi and Tamil. These two stalwarts of Indian cinema share a profound friendship, often referring to each other as family. Their collaborations include memorable Hindi films such as Andhaa Kanoon (1983), Geraftaar (1985), and Hum (1991). More recently, they reunited for the Tamil film Vettaiyan in 2024.

Amitabh Bachchan Shares Photo With Rajinikanth From 'Vettaiyan' Sets - See Post:

Amitabh Bachchan shared an image from the sets of Vettaiyan in May 2024, praising Rajinikanth: "Am honoured and privileged to be with the Thala the Great Rajni again.. he hasn't changed at all.. the same simple humble down to earth friend despite his stratospheric greatness!!!" Rajinikanth, for his part, considers Bachchan a role model, recalling a valuable piece of advice: "One should keep oneself busy. That is the most important, especially when you become 50 and above."

Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty: The Director-Actor Hit Machine

Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty represent one of Bollywood's most successful director-actor pairings, a partnership built on consistent blockbusters and mutual trust. Their collaboration has given Indian cinema some of its most beloved franchises. They are close friends since childhood and collaborate frequently to bring entertaining films to the audience, like the Golmaal series, the Singham Universe, and earlier movies like Zameen, All the Best and Bol Bachchan.

Notable Movie Collaborations of Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty:

• Golmaal Series:
• Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006)
• Golmaal Returns (2008)
• Golmaal 3 (2010)
• Golmaal Again (2017)
• Golmaal 5 (Expected 2027).
• Singham Series:
• Singham (2011)
• Singham Returns (2014)
• Singham Again (2024).
• Other Films:
• Zameen (2003)
• Sunday (2008)
• All The Best: Fun Begins (2009)
• Bol Bachchan (2012).

Their shared vision and understanding have resulted in numerous commercial successes, with Ajay Devgn confirming their ongoing commitment to the Golmaal franchise. Their partnership is a prime example of how a strong professional bond can lead to cinematic magic, offering audiences a consistent dose of entertainment across various genres.

As Friendship Day 2026 unfolds, these stories from Bollywood remind us that true friendships, much like timeless films, leave an indelible mark on our hearts, weathering all storms to emerge stronger than ever.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 02, 2026 03:35 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).