Baba Siddique's iftar and SRK-Salman patch-up: It was Allah, I had no role

Baba Siddique was known for his close ties with Bollywood's biggest stars, including Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. He played a pivotal role in ending the Khans' five-year-long feud.

In Short

• Baba Siddique, ex-Maharashtra minister, shot dead in Mumbai
• Famous for hosting iftar parties attended by top Bollywood stars
• Siddique helped end SRK-Salman Khan feud at 2013 iftar party

Baba Siddique, a veteran politician and former Maharashtra minister, was shot and killed by armed assailants in Mumbai on Saturday evening, sending shockwaves through both the political and film industries.

Siddique, known for his extensive political connections and his ability to bring people together, was also famous for hosting lavish iftar parties that attracted the crème de la crème of Bollywood. One such gathering in 2013 played a pivotal role in ending the most infamous celebrity feud in the entertainment world – Shah Rukh Khan vs Salman Khan.

The rift between Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan began in 2008 after a heated argument at Katrina Kaif's birthday bash, which led to the two actors avoiding each other for nearly five years.

This cold war came to an end at Siddique's annual iftar party on April 17, 2013. At the event, Siddique strategically seated Shah Rukh Khan next to Salman's father, Salim Khan, ensuring the two stars came face-to-face. The moment when Shah Rukh and Salman greeted and hugged each other was captured in a photo that quickly went viral, marking the beginning of the end of their long-standing beef.

After their reconciliation, Siddique downplayed his part as peacemaker, saying, "They both wanted it... Allah shows the way. I had no role to play."

Siddique's iftar celebrations were legendary, attended by a plethora of Bollywood stars, including Sanjay Dutt, Shilpa Shetty, and the Khan duo themselves. His ability to bring people together, both in politics and the film world, was a defining aspect of his personality.

In his political career, Siddique served as an MLA from the Bandra West constituency for three consecutive terms and held the position of Minister of State for Food & Civil Supplies, Labour, and FDA. He was a close associate of actor-turned-politician Sunil Dutt, who helped him secure his first Congress ticket in 1999.

After being associated with the Congress for nearly 50 years, he joined Ajit Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in February this year, following a fallout with the Congress over its alliance with the Shiv Sena.

Siddique's death was met with grief, with politicians across party lines and Bollywood stars, including Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Shilpa Shetty, rushing to the hospital to express their condolences.