The Salman Khan and Sangeeta Bijlani relationship, from lovers to exes to BFFs

Bollywood star Salman Khan celebrated his 57th birthday at his Mumbai home on December 27 this year. Many of his friends from the Hindi film industry, including actor Shah Rukh Khan, was spotted with Salman. Salman Khan's ex-girlfriend, actor, and Miss India 1980, Sangeeta Bijlani, was also among the guests.

In the videos which are doing the rounds on the Internet, Salman is seen hugging Sangeeta Bijlani and kissing her forehead.

From the beginning of a love story in 1986 to the breakup in 1994, and through the years, Salman and Sangeeta have remained in each other's lives.

The Salman Khan and Sangeeta Bijlani relationship: It is hidden from none that Sangeeta and Salman were once in a serious relationship. However, the relationship that last for nearly 8 years ended on a sour note in 1994, with Sangeeta ending her bond with Salman, right before their wedding. 

On May 27, 1994, the couple were about to get married; with even the wedding cards having been printed. But then, something happened. The wedding was called off and Bijlani parted ways with Salman for good. 

Why did Salman and Sangeeta break up? Insiders from the industry claim that Salman was caught red-handed cheating on Sangeeta while they were in a relationship. It was rumoured that Salman was dating actor Somy Ali at the same time while he was in a serious relationship with Sangeeta. This led Bijlani to call off the wedding and break up with Salman. 

On an episode of the TV show Koffee with Karan, Salman had once accepted his relationship with Sangeeta without naming her, and even confessed that he got caught.

"There was a time I really wanted to get married and then it just didn't work out. I have always come so close [to getting married]. People have got cold feet. 'Theek hai, boyfriend, isko zindagi bhar jhelna padega kya' (They think I am a good boyfriend, but it's difficult to tolerate me for the rest of their lives). With Sangeeta, even the cards were printed," Salman said.

When Karan Johar asked if the wedding was cancelled because he was caught cheating on her, Salman accepted saying, "Yeah, kind of. I get caught. I am stupid."

Sangeeta goes her way: While Salman was left distraught as the wedding was cancelled, Sangeeta got hooked with cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin, whom she had met during an ad shoot. Though Azharuddin was married and had two kids at the time they met, love brewed between the two and they started meeting at parties and events.

In 1996, Azharuddin, divorced his first wife Naureen and married Sangeeta. However, Azhar and Sangeeta parted ways in 2010.

Salman Khan, meanwhile: On the other hand, Salman Khan got into a relationship with actress Aishwarya Rai. The two got close during the shooting of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999). But for Salman, love didn't work out, once again, and the relationship ended on a very bad note. 

Sangeeta and Salman over the years: Though Sangeeta and Salman had to end things on a bitter note, over the years, the two have respected each other and have been on cordial terms.

In an interview to the Times of India, Sangeeta spoke on her equation with Salman. She said, "Connections don't break. Connections never go away. The love between your partners, school friends, never go away. People will come and go. Nobody will be permanent in life. That does not mean you feel bitter or angry.There was a point in life where I was childish and stupid, but I am a grown up now. Life is full of experiences."

Since then, Sangeeta has always been spotted at various events with Salman Khan.

The Salman story: Salman Khan dated Somy Ali after his relationship with Sangeeta. The two broke up. After that, Salman got along with Aishwarya Rai. They broke up too. In 2005, Salman was rumoured to be in a relationship with Katrina Kaif. But again, it didn't work out.

Over the years, Salman has been linked with many women, but even at 57, he is proudly single. Something which even his fans have now accepted.