Salman Khan seems to have donned the 'benevolent brother' avatar for his sister Arpita's wedding - playing gracious host to Shah Rukh Khan, sending out invites to ex-flame Katrina Kaif and bete noire Priyanka Chopra

Their equation seems straight out of a Bollywood potboiler, replete with several twists and turns. But, after the Sunday night camaraderie between the two warring Khans of Bollywood, it came a full circle. And when bride to-be Arpita Khan tweeted a photo of hers flanked by her big brother, Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, reference to their 1995 blockbuster, 'Karan Arjun' was but obvious.

Arpita's pre-wedding function set the stage for one of the most epic filmi reunions. Sure they have been photographed earlier exchanging hugs at iftaar parties but the tension between them was hard to miss. But, things were evidently different at Arpita's sangeet ceremony with the two indulging in some genuine bonhomie.

Their friendship had suffered a major blow on July 16, 2008 when they had a public fall-out at Salman's ex-flame, Katrina Kaif's birthday party. It is said that Shah Rukh remarked about Salman's personal life and the latter did not take kindly to it. The rest is history.


Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan

Whispers of a possible reunion kept the industry grapevine busy last week with reports that Salman had sent out an invite to SRK for Arpita's wedding. Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan

Though Shah Rukh did not confirm anything about having received the wedding card, he told mediapersons at an event that he didn't need an invite for Arpita's wedding.

"I have known Arpita since she was a little baby. She has played in my arms. So, invite or not, I will definitely go for her wedding," was his reply.


From top: Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan bonded like long-lost friends, hugging and chatting the night away

True to his words, Shah Rukh landed at Salman's Bandra home at around 11.45 pm on Sunday. A source present at the event says, "On getting the news about SRK's arrival at his place, Salman rushed to receive him and they exchanged a long hug. He attended to Shah Rukh personally. Everyone in the family was happy to see them together.


Salman, Arpita and Shah Rukh Khan at the sangeet ceremony

The two of the them hugged each other and chatted the night away. This was surely a precious gift to the family. Both Salman and Shah Rukh got emotional while talking to each other. It looked like they had a lot of catching up to do."


The trio's pic posted by Arpita

When the two superstars got to know about the paparazzi swarming outside, they posed for photos, hugging and smiling. Arpita, too, posted her picture online along with 'Karan-Arjun'.

The wedding ceremony will take place in Hyderabad on November 18 and the reception is to be held in Mumbai on November 21.

PeeCee takes off

Priyanka Chopra and Salman Khan are known to avoid eye contact with each other since the time PeeCee refused a film under his home production. The frost showed signs of thawing when the actor showered praises on Priyanka for her debut music album and later, calling her wife material on a chat show. The actress, too, had been spotted coming out of his Bandra home since their fall out.

Now, the grapevine is buzzing with reports that Priyanka received not only an invite but also a customary call from the Khan family requesting her to attend Arpita's marriage in Hyderabad today. A source close to the actress says, "Priyanka was out of the country for a couple of weeks. On her return, she received the invitation card and was elated. She has resumed shooting for Bajirao Mastani but as she was keen to attend the nuptials, she has taken special permission from director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali for a two-day leave." Priyanka's spokesperson was unavailable for comment.

Will she, won't she?

Katrina Kaif, who is quite close to Arpita, is said to be undecided about attending the wedding. A source says, "Katrina has often admitted that she is close to Salman Khan's family in spite of their split. She has always been part of Arpita's girl gang. So, it is not really surprising that the Khans have extended an invitation to her."

However, her name does not feature in the list of invited guests, says another source, adding: "The hotel where the wedding is taking place has been booked for two days. While the ceremony is going to be a private affair, the reception is likely to see a turnout of nearly 1,000 celebrities. Rooms have been booked for Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and many other stars but not for Katrina."

The actress' spokesperson remained unavailable for comment.

Clash of the Khans

A sneak peek into the diary of the now friends, now enemies...

>> 2002: 'Chalte Chalte', an SRK production, faces problem with Salman Khan's constant interference on the sets. The film's original choice, Aishwarya Rai, gets replaced by Rani Mukerji.

>> 2004: Salman Khan hugs Shah Rukh Khan at filmmaker Farah Khan's pre-wedding bash in Mumbai. The two have an emotional reunion. They become friends again - temporarily though.

>> 2007: King Khan asks Salman to make a guest appearance in 'Om Shanti Om' while Salman reportedly asks him to do a role in 'Main Aurr Mrs Khanna' (2009). Salman agrees, while Shah Rukh turns down his offer.

>> 2008: No one knows what happened on Katrina Kaif's birthday bash but the night is said to be the final nail in the coffin. While Kat was seen leaving the party in tears, Gauri Khan is said to have dragged her husband away before the two actors could beat each other up. It's believed that SRK made inappropriate comments about Salman's fomer love, Ash.

>> 2008: Shah Rukh says in an interview that Salman got angry because he turned down 'Main Aurr Mrs Khanna'. Salman says he never offered him the film adding, "Shah Rukh was like my brother. He used to call me 'sir, sir' during his struggling days."

>> 2009: Salman says, "I have seen SRK go from door to door asking for work. He has become a different person now."

>> 2010: Salman says, "Only God can come and make us friends again, and that is not happening." Shah Rukh says they are happy being in their own spaces.

>> 2011: Shah Rukh says on a chat show, "If Salman is angry with me, it is 100 per cent my fault." Salman retorts saying SRK's apology was for TRPs.

>> 2013: Politician Baba Siddique's iftaar party was the setting for the first SRK-Salman hug that made headlines as foes-turned-friends -to which Salman said, "It was holy month of Ramadan so it was the most apt thing to do."

>> 2013: Salman confessed on a popular talk show that he and SRK could never be best friends again.

>> 2014: The warring Khan followed up their much-discussed hug at iftaar party last year with a repeat performance at the Star Guild Awards. As SRK went on-stage to receive his Entertainer of the Year prize, he and award host Salman shared a hug.

Star Guild Awards

>> 2014: They attended the annual iftaar party of Baba Siddiqui and repeated the famous hug - once again.