Salman Khan's 'No Entry' co-star Celina Jaitly says he was 'very protective about the girls'; reveals she was initially offered Bipasha Basu’s role

'No Entry' starring Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Esha Deol and Celina Jaitly, remains one of Bollywood’s most loved comedies even after twenty years. The Anees Bazmee directorial became a cult hit with its mix of confusion, laughter and unforgettable characters. Now, two decades later, Celina Jaitly, who played the charming Sanjana Saxena, has opened up about her memories from the set, her co-stars’ warmth, and why the film continues to live in people’s hearts.

Celina Jaitly explains why she chose Sanjana

In an interview with SCREEN, Celina revealed that she was first offered the role of Bobby, later played by Bipasha Basu. But she felt more drawn towards Sanjana. “Initially, I was offered Bipasha’s role. That role too was a strong and memorable part of the film, and I truly loved the way her character shaped up eventually. It even ended up with some wonderful solo songs, which of course every actor loves to have. But my decision to choose Sanjana was purely an artistic one," she said.

Anil Kapoor’s kindness made her feel at ease

Jaitly said it was overwhelming for her as a newcomer to step into a scene with one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema. At one point, Anil Kapoor asked if her long hair was real, and when she assured him that it was, he laughed and told her he was glad she had kept it long and healthy without cutting it. Celina recalled that this small exchange completely broke the ice.

Salman Khan kept the actresses protected on set

She also spoke warmly of Salman Khan and how he looked after his co-stars. “Salman brought a very different energy altogether. He was incredibly busy at the time, often juggling two other films alongside ‘No Entry’ in Mauritius itself, yet he was a lot of fun and very protective about the girls, which was always reassuring."

Celina Jaitly reacts to 'No Entry 2'

With the sequel announced, fans are eager to see how the story continues. Celina revealed that she has not been approached for it but remains proud of her work in the original. She further explained that 'No Entry' became a mega blockbuster which continues to live in people’s hearts. She reflected that in today’s climate, with the tendency to scrutinise every subject, the film might have been received differently. However, she felt that the innocence and purity of Anees Bazmee’s vision made it timeless, which is why people still embrace it with so much love.


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