Bangladeshi actress and dancer Mehbuba Mahnoor Chandni has revisited a memorable childhood encounter with Bollywood superstar Salman Khan, revealing that she did not wash the hand she had held during their meeting for seven days. The unusual anecdote, which she now recalls with amusement, reflects the depth of her admiration for the actor when she was a young schoolgirl.
Chandni recently shared two photographs with Salman on Facebook, bringing the long-cherished memory back into the spotlight. Alongside the pictures, she wrote, “With my Sallu”, addressing people who had previously questioned the authenticity of her account during interviews.
Her admiration for Salman began in childhood, after she watched his 1989 romantic film Maine Pyar Kiya. The film helped establish Salman as a prominent young star in Hindi cinema, and his growing popularity won him a devoted following. Chandni was among those captivated by the actor, displaying his photographs on her bedroom door, beside her study table and in other parts of her home.
The opportunity to meet her favourite star came in the late 1990s. According to Chandni, Salman was expected to visit Bangladesh for an event around 1997 or 1998. Excited by the prospect of seeing him in person, she bought a ticket as soon as she heard the news.
Her anticipation turned to disappointment when she learnt that the event would not go ahead for an unspecified reason. Rather than giving up on her dream, however, she continued looking for another opportunity to meet the Bollywood star.
Her persistence eventually paid off. Chandni learnt that Salman had arrived in Bangladesh and was staying at the Sheraton Hotel in Dhaka, now known as InterContinental Dhaka. She travelled to the hotel with her mother, her friend Sadia Islam and their photographer, whom she referred to as Mohsin bhai.
Securing a meeting was not easy at first. The group had to make several attempts before eventually obtaining information about the actor’s room. When they arrived, they found Salman alone. After seeking permission, Chandni was able to stand beside him.
At the time, she was still attending school. She introduced herself to the actor and asked to have a photograph taken with him. For the young fan, the encounter was the fulfilment of a dream she had nurtured for years.
One detail, in particular, remained etched in her memory: holding Salman’s hand throughout their time together. Chandni recalled that the actor asked her name before writing a personal message in his autograph.
He wrote, “Chandni, for your Salman.”
The autograph and the actor’s manner left a lasting impression on her. Chandni said she could still vividly remember the moment Salman asked her name and looked directly at her. She also recalled that he appeared somewhat shy during their interaction.
For Chandni, these seemingly small details became an enduring part of a treasured memory. Although the meeting took place decades ago, she says she can still picture the encounter clearly.
The most amusing part of the story, however, concerns what happened after she returned home. Overwhelmed by the excitement of meeting her idol, she decided not to wash the hand she had held during their encounter for seven days.
Recalling the incident with laughter, Chandni described it as the sort of impulsive behaviour that can accompany a teenager’s intense admiration for a celebrity. She acknowledged that her affection for Salman had been so strong that she surrounded herself with his photographs at home.
Her story offers a glimpse into the emotional connection fans can develop with film stars during their formative years. For many admirers, a brief meeting, an autograph or a photograph can become a lifelong keepsake. Such experiences often carry a significance that extends far beyond the few minutes spent in a celebrity’s company.
In Chandni’s case, the encounter brought together several cherished memories: the excitement of finally meeting her favourite actor, the opportunity to take a photograph with him, the handwritten autograph and the thrill of holding his hand.
Years later, the photographs she shared on Facebook have provided a fresh reminder of that childhood experience. Her account of not washing her hand for a week may sound extraordinary today, but Chandni sees it as a reflection of the unrestrained enthusiasm she felt as a young fan of one of Bollywood’s most recognisable stars.
For her, the encounter was not simply a meeting with a celebrity. It was the realisation of a childhood dream, a memory that has remained vivid long after the excitement of that day had passed.
