Sonam Khan clarifies she dated Rajiv Rai only after 'Tridev' release
Synopsis
Sonam Khan has broken a years-long silence to deny she had an affair with 'Tridev' director Rajiv Rai during filming, revealing she was actually his last casting choice and that both were in other relationships on set. The romance, she says, only began after the film released — a detail that reframes one of Bollywood's most persistent backstage myths.
Key Takeaways
Sonam Khan posted a detailed denial on Instagram on 20 June , refuting rumours of an on-set affair with Rajiv Rai during 'Tridev' .
She revealed that both she and Rai were in separate relationships during the film's shoot.
Sonam disclosed she was Rai's last casting choice for 'Tridev', contradicting claims she received preferential treatment.
She confirmed the two began dating only after 'Tridev' released , when both were single.
Sonam and Rajiv Rai married in 1991 , separated in 2001 , and were officially divorced in 2016 after 15 years of legal proceedings.
Former actress Sonam Khan has addressed long-standing rumours of an alleged affair with filmmaker Rajiv Rai during the making of 'Tridev', firmly denying the claims in a detailed Instagram post on 20 June. She clarified that any romantic relationship between them began only after the film's release, when both were unattached.
What Sonam Khan Said
Sharing a throwback video of her popular number 'Oye Oye Tirchhi Topi Wale' from the film, Sonam wrote at length about how the rumour took root and why it was false. 'Oye oye oye oye oh naaaaa as in a BIG No. Real story I was not having an affair with my Tridev director,' she began, before walking through the timeline of events.
According to her account, both she and Rajiv Rai were in separate relationships at the time of the shoot. 'Rajiv was on set with his girlfriend. I had a boyfriend parked not far away from the set either. We were both very taken people,' she wrote, dismissing speculation that a romance had given her preferential treatment on screen.
The 'Last Choice' Revelation
Sonam also disclosed that she was not Rai's first pick for 'Tridev' to begin with. She wrote that Rai had 'contacted and almost sealed the deal with another actress, as he didn't like me much when he saw the rushes of Vijay which Yash ji showed him. In fact I was the last choice when he was left with no choice.' The admission directly contradicts the popular narrative that she received extra screen time or the breakout song owing to a behind-the-scenes relationship.
Setting the Record Straight on Timing
On the question of when the relationship actually began, Sonam was unambiguous: 'It was much after Tridev released that Rajiv and I actually started dating, as we both were single and owed no one any explanations.' She added, 'So, my dearies I got zero preference in the making of Tridev. Zero. Zilch. Nada.'
Background: Sonam Khan and Rajiv Rai
Sonam Khan and Rajiv Rai first crossed paths on the sets of 'Tridev' and subsequently 'Vishwatma'. The two married in 1991. Their relationship eventually broke down, and they separated in 2001. After 15 years of legal proceedings, they were officially divorced in 2016. The decades-old rumour about an on-set affair had persisted in Bollywood circles long after both the film and the marriage had faded from public memory.
The post has reignited interest in the 1989 blockbuster and the realities behind its making, offering a rare first-person account from one of its lead actresses.
Point of View
A successful film, and proximity between a lead actress and a director are enough to cement a narrative for decades, regardless of facts. The admission that she was Rai's last casting choice is the more striking detail, directly inverting the 'director's favourite' story. That it took over three decades for a first-person correction to surface says as much about the industry's culture of silence as it does about the durability of gossip.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Sonam Khan clarify about her relationship with Rajiv Rai?
Sonam Khan clarified on Instagram that she did not have an affair with filmmaker Rajiv Rai during the making of 'Tridev'. She stated that both were in other relationships at the time and that they only began dating after the film's release, when both were single.
Why did people believe Sonam Khan had an affair with Rajiv Rai during 'Tridev'?
The rumour reportedly stemmed from the belief that Sonam received more screen time and the breakout song 'Oye Oye Tirchhi Topi Wale' due to a romantic relationship with the director. Sonam has now denied this, saying the song and screen time were not the result of any off-screen relationship.
Was Sonam Khan the first choice for 'Tridev'?
No. According to Sonam Khan's own account, Rajiv Rai had 'almost sealed the deal' with another actress and did not initially favour her after seeing her earlier work. She described herself as 'the last choice when he was left with no choice.'
When did Sonam Khan and Rajiv Rai get married and divorced?
Sonam Khan and Rajiv Rai married in 1991, separated in 2001, and were officially divorced in 2016 after 15 years of legal proceedings.
What film is 'Oye Oye Tirchhi Topi Wale' from?
'Oye Oye Tirchhi Topi Wale' is a song from the 1989 Bollywood film 'Tridev', directed by Rajiv Rai and featuring Sonam Khan. The song became a major hit and is widely remembered as one of the film's highlights.
