Blab Entertainment
Gazala Salmin Remembers Shah Rukh Khans Warm On-Set Gestures in 1994 Thriller Anjaam
Gazala Salmin, the former child actor who played Madhuri Dixit’s daughter in the 1994 Hindi psychological thriller Anjaam, recently shared a behind‑the‑scenes memory on Instagram. In a short video posted on July 18 2026, Salmin recalled how Shah Rukh Khan—then a rising star known as “King Khan”—treated her with kindness and affection during the film’s production.
The video shows Salmin speaking about a scene she filmed in Mauritius, where the majority of the movie’s birthday sequences were shot. She said that whenever Khan appeared on set, he would approach her, hug her, and offer words of encouragement. Although he portrayed a menacing antagonist in the film, Salmin noted that off‑camera he was “comforting and friendly.” The actor’s on‑screen persona frightened her as a child, but the off‑screen interactions left her feeling at ease.
Anjaam was directed by Rahul Rawail and marked the first time that Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit were paired together. Khan’s role as the obsessive lover earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Villain that year, a milestone that helped establish his reputation for playing complex antagonists. The film’s production took place at several locations, including Film City in Mumbai and the tropical island of Mauritius, where the birthday scenes were filmed.
After Anjaam, Salmin continued to work in Hindi cinema. Her filmography includes titles such as Imtihaan (1995), Zakhmi Dil (1996), Raghuveer (1997), Raja (1998), Sarhad: The Border of Crime (1999), Bambai Ka Babu (2000), Dil Ke Jharoke Main (2001), Angaaray (2002), Tamanna (2003), Aarzoo (2004), Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2005), One 2 Ka 4 (2006), and Sur: The Melody of Life (2007). Her work spanned a range of genres, from drama to action, and she remained active in the industry for several years after her early‑career debut.
Shah Rukh Khan’s early villain roles—including those in Baazigar (1993), Darr (1993), and Anjaam—were pivotal in shaping his career trajectory. He later transitioned to leading romantic roles, becoming one of India’s most bankable stars. In 2023, he returned to action with the high‑grossing films Pathaan and Jawan, both of which were among the highest‑earning Indian releases of the year. The actor’s continued success has led him to acquire the rights to Anjaam under his production banner, Red Chillies Entertainment.
Salmin’s Instagram post highlights the contrast between a star’s on‑screen image and off‑screen behavior, a theme that resonates with many former child actors. Her recollection also underscores the importance of supportive on‑set environments, especially for young performers. While the film itself remains a notable entry in 1990s Bollywood, Salmin’s personal testimony provides a rare glimpse into the daily life of a set that produced a classic psychological thriller.
The memory shared by Salmin has sparked renewed interest in Anjaam among fans and film historians. It also serves as a reminder of the collaborative nature of filmmaking, where personal interactions can leave lasting impressions beyond the final product. As Shah Rukh Khan continues to dominate the Indian film industry, stories like Salmin’s offer a humanizing perspective on the actor’s early career and the people who shaped it.
The video shows Salmin speaking about a scene she filmed in Mauritius, where the majority of the movie’s birthday sequences were shot. She said that whenever Khan appeared on set, he would approach her, hug her, and offer words of encouragement. Although he portrayed a menacing antagonist in the film, Salmin noted that off‑camera he was “comforting and friendly.” The actor’s on‑screen persona frightened her as a child, but the off‑screen interactions left her feeling at ease.
Anjaam was directed by Rahul Rawail and marked the first time that Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit were paired together. Khan’s role as the obsessive lover earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Villain that year, a milestone that helped establish his reputation for playing complex antagonists. The film’s production took place at several locations, including Film City in Mumbai and the tropical island of Mauritius, where the birthday scenes were filmed.
After Anjaam, Salmin continued to work in Hindi cinema. Her filmography includes titles such as Imtihaan (1995), Zakhmi Dil (1996), Raghuveer (1997), Raja (1998), Sarhad: The Border of Crime (1999), Bambai Ka Babu (2000), Dil Ke Jharoke Main (2001), Angaaray (2002), Tamanna (2003), Aarzoo (2004), Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye (2005), One 2 Ka 4 (2006), and Sur: The Melody of Life (2007). Her work spanned a range of genres, from drama to action, and she remained active in the industry for several years after her early‑career debut.
Shah Rukh Khan’s early villain roles—including those in Baazigar (1993), Darr (1993), and Anjaam—were pivotal in shaping his career trajectory. He later transitioned to leading romantic roles, becoming one of India’s most bankable stars. In 2023, he returned to action with the high‑grossing films Pathaan and Jawan, both of which were among the highest‑earning Indian releases of the year. The actor’s continued success has led him to acquire the rights to Anjaam under his production banner, Red Chillies Entertainment.
Salmin’s Instagram post highlights the contrast between a star’s on‑screen image and off‑screen behavior, a theme that resonates with many former child actors. Her recollection also underscores the importance of supportive on‑set environments, especially for young performers. While the film itself remains a notable entry in 1990s Bollywood, Salmin’s personal testimony provides a rare glimpse into the daily life of a set that produced a classic psychological thriller.
The memory shared by Salmin has sparked renewed interest in Anjaam among fans and film historians. It also serves as a reminder of the collaborative nature of filmmaking, where personal interactions can leave lasting impressions beyond the final product. As Shah Rukh Khan continues to dominate the Indian film industry, stories like Salmin’s offer a humanizing perspective on the actor’s early career and the people who shaped it.
