Zeeshan Ayyub recalls slapping Salman Khan in Tubelight: ‘My heart was racing, thought my career might end’

Zeeshan Ayyub, who was last seen in the latest season of Criminal Justice: A Family Matter alongside Pankaj Tripathi, Surveen Chawla and Asha Negi, recently opened up about filming a high-pressure scene with Salman Khan in Kabir Khan’s 2017 film Tubelight.

Speaking to Digital Commentary, Zeeshan revealed that his very first scene on set in Manali involved slapping Salman Khan’s character, a daunting task for any actor, especially on day one.



“The first scene was on a small bridge over a river,” Zeeshan recalled. “I stop him, slap him, and he falls into the water. Meeting Salman Sir for the first time, with that as my opening shot, was intense.”

A moment to remember

Initially, a master shot was filmed using a body double, but the real challenge came when the close-up had to be taken with Salman himself. “I was worried — too far, and it would look fake; too close, and I risked upsetting him. I raised my hand from a distance, but Salman Sir said, ‘Do it again, from closer.’ My heart was racing,” Zeeshan shared.



Salman encouraged him further, saying, “Bring it so close that my hair moves with the wind — don’t worry.” The Raanjhanaa actor admitted he feared the slap could end his career, but ultimately, the moment became one of his proudest.



“With all my experience, I did it right, and his hair moved exactly as intended. After the shot, Salman Sir calmly said, ‘You did well.’ That warmth and support made the whole experience unforgettable,” Zeeshan said, adding that even if his career had ended that day, he would have been content.

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