How Baba Siddique played peacemaker between Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, ending their feud
Baba Siddique dead: Baba Siddique, a well-known political figure and former Maharashtra minister, was tragically shot and killed by armed assailants in Mumbai on Saturday evening, leaving both the political and film industries in mourning. While Siddique was a prominent political leader, he was also famous for his ability to foster connections and bring people together, including some of Bollywood's biggest stars.
Siddique’s annual iftar parties were legendary in Mumbai, attended by top Bollywood celebrities, politicians, and business elites. One of the most memorable moments from these gatherings occurred in 2013 when Siddique played a crucial role in ending one of Bollywood’s most high-profile feuds: the longstanding rift between superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan.
The cold war between Shah Rukh and Salman had begun in 2008 following a heated argument at Katrina Kaif’s birthday party. What started as a personal disagreement soon escalated, and the two actors avoided each other in public and on film sets for nearly five years. Their enmity became one of the most talked-about topics in the entertainment world.
However, on April 17, 2013, at Baba Siddique's iftar party, the feud finally began to thaw. Siddique, knowing the impact such a reconciliation could have, seated Shah Rukh Khan near Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan. This set the stage for an encounter between the two superstars. In a widely publicised moment, Shah Rukh and Salman greeted each other with a hug, and a photograph of this iconic reunion quickly went viral, marking the end of their bitter feud.
Despite being credited with brokering peace between the two actors, Siddique modestly downplayed his role in the reconciliation. “They both wanted it... Allah shows the way. I had no role to play,” Siddique remarked after the event.
Siddique’s iftar celebrations became famous not just for their star-studded guest lists but also for his talent in uniting people from different walks of life, whether in politics or the entertainment industry. Celebrities like Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, and the Khan duo themselves were regulars at his events.
Apart from his ties to Bollywood, Baba Siddique had a distinguished political career. He represented the Bandra West constituency as an MLA for three consecutive terms and held various key positions, including Minister of State for Food & Civil Supplies, Labour, and FDA. His political journey was shaped early on by actor-turned-politician Sunil Dutt, who helped Siddique secure his first Congress ticket in 1999.
After being a loyal member of the Congress party for almost 50 years, Siddique made headlines earlier this year when he joined Ajit Pawar’s Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in February, following a dispute with Congress leadership over its alliance with Shiv Sena.
Siddique’s untimely death has left a deep void in both the political and entertainment circles. Bollywood stars, including Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Shilpa Shetty, rushed to Lilavati Hospital to pay their respects, while politicians from various parties expressed their grief and condolences. His legacy as a unifying force and a peacemaker will be remembered for years to come.
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- With inputs from agencies
