It is not a secret that Ashneer Grover and Salman Khan are not on good terms. In the past, both have expressed disappointment with each other’s conduct. However, as Salman Khan is currently hosting Bigg Boss 19, Ashneer Grover has turned into a host for a new reality show – Rise and Fall. Recently, Grover was talking about his new show when he indirectly took a dig at Salman Khan.
Even though Ashneer did not name Salman Khan or Bigg Boss 19, it was very evident that he was talking about the Bollywood superstar and his controversial reality show. “Reality shows have to be about contestants. Fortunately, or unfortunately, in India we have had a very big show which has had a very big superstar. And therefore, it’s become more about him than the contestants right. But the fact is, who is putting in the hours? Bhai aap to ek weekend mein aa rahe ho. Jo 24 ghante lage hain woh to contestant lage hue hain," Ashneer told media.
“The balance of power has to go back to contestants and the content that come out of contestants. Rather than it being hijacked by someone you know who comes over weekend," he added.
The drama started when Ashneer, in one of his previous interviews, recounted an incident involving Salman Khan. He claimed that he met the actor during a sponsored ad shoot when Salman’s manager told Ashneer that the superstar wouldn’t take a photo with him.
“Salman Khan se mila hoon. Usko humne sponsor rakha tha, toh uske shoot ke liye mila tha. Shoot se pehle mila tha usko brief karne ke liye ki company kya hai. Toh teen ghante baitha tha uske saath, uske manager ne bol diya ki photo nahi khichwani hai, sir thoda bura maan jaate hain. Maine kaha saale, maine bola, nahi khichwaunga photo, bhaad main ja tu. Matlab aisi kaunsi heropanti ho gayi (I met Salman when I briefed him for a sponsored ad shoot. I sat with him for three hours and then his manager told me that Salman would not take a photo with me. I told him I won’t take a picture, you go to hell)," Ashneer had said.
Later in 2024, when Ashneer appeared on Bigg Boss 18 as a guest, Salman Khan schooled him and grilled him over his controversial statements in the past. The Bollywood superstar seemingly mocked Grover and asked him to be careful regarding what he says or how he presents himself.
“Meeting was not held with you but with your team. Maybe you were also present there. We have not had any discussions. I saw what you said. You presented that we befooled you. This is wrong. Those numbers were wrong," Salman said. Grover then apologised to Salman and told him that he did not intend to disrespect him.
