How Baba Siddique ended the infamous fight between Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan; Who was the man that all of Bollywood loved? | Bollywood

Political leader Baba Siddique was shot dead by three assailants at his son Zeeshan's office in Bandra on Saturday evening. He was taken to Lilavati Hospital where doctors tried to treat his two gunshot wounds. But he succumbed to his injuries. He was 66. (Also read: NCP leader Baba Siddique was shot dead in Mumbai's Bandra)

To the political world, Baba Siddique was a leader, a former MP and a messiah of sorts. But for the film industry he was a supporter and often a mediator, as he demonstrated most effectively a decade ago. The year was 2013. Hindi cinema's two biggest superstars – Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan – were in the middle of the Cold War. The once good friends had a heated argument on Salman's then girlfriend Katrina Kaif's birthday and were reportedly not in touch with each other. Bollywood was divided into factions and producers were worried about this power struggle between the two biggest stars. Enter Baba Siddique, a man with very little connection to cinema. This politician not only ended the fight but did so in a way that made the two Khans become best friends in the industry again.

How Baba Siddique ended the fight between Shah Rukh and Salman

Baba Siddique was a Mumbai-based politician who was then the sitting MP from Bandra West constituency. His Iftaar parties every Eid were the highlight of the south Mumbai social circle and were attended by anyone who was anyone in the city. Bollywood was of course present. It is said that Siddique was asked by industry insiders to mediate between Salman and Shah Rukh and the political leader found a subtle way to do it. He seated Shah Rukh at the party next to Salman's father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan.

In a video that has now gone viral and has been viewed over a million times, Shah Rukh can be seen talking to Salim Khan for a while before Salman comes to the table. Shah Rukh stands up and the two stars nod appreciatively at each other before greeting each other with a hug. Then Baba Siddique joins them and asks the photographers to click. And just like that, Bollywood's biggest feud was ended by Siddique, just using the goodwill of Eid and some good old family ties.

Who was Baba Siddique?

Baba Siddique was a career politician who was with the Congress Party for 48 years until he switched to the Nationalist Congress Party earlier this year. He served as an MP for three terms until 2013 and was also a minister in the government of Maharashtra.