Cold Times

Everyone knows about the John Abraham-Salman Khan dushmani, which began two years ago during the Rockstars tour. The actors haven't come face-to-face since.

The actors found themselves at a food award event on Monday. John was given the snub, not just by Salman, but also by the organisers. The only saving grace was the public, who rooted and cheered for him.

A source in the event reveals, "Salman was asked to attend the event by Subhash Ghai, the director of Yuvvraaj. Salman was to hand out trophies to the contestants along with other film personalities like Ajay Devgan, Kajol and Kareena Kapoor. Salman was the first person to reach the venue, followed by Ajay, Kajol and Kareena. They were all seated on a big table with Ghai."

John walked in a few minutes and settled down at a table far from Salman & Co.

"John doesn't like public scenes and he kept to himself. He didn't even look in the direction of Sallu's table, where all the actors were chatting and laughing. Then the announcer called Sallu, Ajay, Kajol and Kareena on stage to inaugurate the event. John was never meant to go on the stage. He was attending the event as a guest, but the members of the audience who spotted him, started to holler his name and the oganisers had no other option but to call him on stage too. Once on stage, John and Salman looked through each other. After giving awards, John stayed back at the event while Salman made a quick exit," concludes the source.

Salman's spokesperson says, "John and Salman were sitting very far from each other and as Salman was there only for a few minutes he couldn't have found the time to exchange pleasantries with many present at the event."

John Abraham however says, "The event organisers didn't give me the cold shoulder. I was specifically called by them to hand an award and I was even given a particular time to be there, which was way after the show had already started." On the reception he got from the crowd the modest actor says, "I think if you keep doing good work it has to pay off, right? I am very glad the audiences at the show were really nice to me and cheered me. It makes me really happy to know that people really appreciate good things."

Salman is not known to promote his films. The only reason he's doing it, is for Yuvvraaj, at the behest of the director, Subhash Ghai. At the event, after he handed out the trophies, he began looking here and there. Ghai asked him what he was looking for. Sallu excused himself to go to the loo. Ghai said okay and waited for the actor to return. But Sallu walked out of the hall, went straight to his car, and zoomed off.