Aishwarya Rai’s Steamy Kiss with Hrithik Roshan in ‘Dhoom 2’ Sparked Controversy, but Sussanne Gave It Her Seal of Approval.
The 2006 action thriller ‘Dhoom 2’ was a landmark in the careers of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan, particularly for the much-discussed on-screen kiss that the two shared. However, the aftermath of this intimate scene revealed stark contrasts in the reactions of their respective partners.
While Aishwarya Rai faced backlash and even legal notices from people who were “not comfortable” with her iconic image being tarnished, Hrithik Roshan’s then-wife, Sussanne, had a far more progressive outlook on the matter.
Recalling the incident, Hrithik revealed that Sussanne had set only one condition for him – “If you’re going to kiss on screen, this better be the best bloody kiss in the world!” The actor admitted to having “performance anxiety” about living up to Sussanne’s high standards, but was relieved to find that she was “fully satisfied” with the final result.
Hrithik went on to jokingly credit himself for instilling such unwavering trust in Sussanne, though he acknowledged her as “the most wonderful and level-headed woman” he had ever met.
In contrast, Aishwarya Rai shared a different experience, telling the Daily Mail in 2012 that she had received “a couple of legal notices” from people who were uncomfortable with her on-screen kiss, despite the fact that she had expressed her own discomfort with the idea in the past.
The actress explained that by the time ‘Dhoom’ was made, a decade into her career, kissing had become a more familiar sight on the silver screen. She maintained that the kiss was treated as an integral part of the scene, with “a dialogue in the kiss” rather than a “crescendo of music and just a kiss.”
The stark difference in the reactions to the same on-screen moment highlights the enduring double standards and societal pressures that female actors often face, even as the industry and audience evolve.
While Sussanne Roshan’s progressive attitude and unequivocal support for her husband’s work set a positive example, Aishwarya Rai’s experience serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges that female stars continue to navigate in the ever-changing landscape of Bollywood.
