In a candid conversation that peeled back layers of superstar glam, actress-singer Shehnaaz Gill let slip a revealing anecdote about her time on set with Salman Khan during the shoot of Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. The former Bigg Boss contestant revealed how the superstar — often burdened with a larger-than-life public image — let go of façade and embraced an earthy, ‘desi’ side when the film crew shifted location to his rural farmhouse.
According to Shehnaaz’s account on the podcast hosted by Ranveer Allahbadia, the cast and crew stayed for one or two days at Salman’s sprawling farmhouse. “He had his bikes and we all just went out for drives. Hum gedi laga rahe the,” she said, using the Hindi phrase that typically evokes casual joyrides through rural roads. She smiled as she added, “Salman sir is very desi — he’s full desi. He works like a farmer; he’s got his system and he’s all about action and craft.”
This glimpse has resonated widely, precisely because it shows a side of Salman that the spotlight rarely captures: away from the lights, away from the set, he’s just another guy — biking around, harvesting berries from the trees, feeding them to his guests. It’s anecdotal, but that’s part of its power: this is not PR gloss, it’s small-town rhythm within Tinseltown.
What Shehnaaz Gill’s revelations tells us
Film-industry insiders say such farmhouse shoots have quietly become part of the Bollywood ecosystem, offering stars a retreat, the crew a break and production a chance for team-bonding beyond the hotel-suite grind. But what Shehnaaz Gill captured went further: the moment implied we were allowed into – not the set, but the lifestyle. That glimpse of “gedi” altered public perception subtly: the star isn’t just reigning from a mansion; he’s riding a bike, picking berries and laughing with co-actors.
For Salman Khan’s image, the revelation works on multiple levels. Public perception of him has long been fixated on silos: the macho superstar, the philanthropic icon, the larger-than-life persona. But here, through Shehnaaz Gill’s telling, we see a softer, “desi” persona—rural roots, no airs, grounded lifestyle. Whether intentional or not, that narrative shift — from billboard hero to buddy riding a bike with the next-gen — is a powerful brand refreshive moment.
Equally interesting is Shehnaaz’s positioning in this narrative. Once known primarily as the vivacious BB13 contestant, her transition into Bollywood has been punctuated by select film appearances and public attention. Her revealing the insider moment with Salman serves dual purposes: it both humanises the superstar and elevates her as someone ‘in the circle’ — someone who rides the bikes, shares the berries, gets the legacy star’s personal rhythm. In the celebrity ecosystem, these small revelations build currency.
Linguistically, her phrase “hum gedi laga rahe the” carries weight. “Gedi” is colloquial, regional and full of local colour. It carries neither the polish of a luxury SUV nor the quiet of a secluded bungalow—just bikes, friends, open country roads, laughter echoing in the evening air. That choice of vocabulary matters: it roots the image in earth, not glam—thus making Salman’s accessible.
From a media-culture perspective, moments like this show how celebrity identities are curated, reframed and relived. For years, the farmhouse behind Salman’s persona has been discussed in vague terms—fort-like compound, high-security, bungalow in Panvel, etc. Shehnaaz’s colourful detail shifts the story. It’s not a fortress—it’s a funhouse for a few days. And that matters because audience interest now stems less from the film and more from the person behind the poster.
Of course, sheen remains. The notion that the shoot was for a big film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, with budget, spectacle and Salman’s brand attached, overlays the rustic tale with production heft. According to reports, the film earned ₹184.6 crore at the box-office against a budget of ₹125 crore. But narrative-wise, what fascinates is the interplay: big budget, rural escapes, off-screen bikes, desi-tones.
In practical terms, what can we draw from this? For young actors like Shehnaaz, revealing these off-screen moments is a strategy. It helps shift the focus from her role to her story—her proximity to superstardom. For stars like Salman, it adds dimension: yes, the action-hero, but also the berry-picker, bike-rider, desi-man. For the industry and fans, it’s about access, authenticity and relatability.
In the end, Shehnaaz Gill’s anecdote reminds us how peer-to-peer revelation now drives celebrity culture. Big stars live in big worlds—but big moments often happen in small worlds: bike rides, fruit trees, genuine laughter. And for fans who watch from afar, those moments matter. They humanise. They modestly peel away myth. They make the superstar feel familiar.
So next time you see a luxuriant film poster with a star standing in the rain, remember: behind the scenes, he may just have his boots off, a bike parked quietly and a berry in hand—gedi ready.
Snehashish roy
