It was early morning in Mumbai, and the city was waking up to one of its most cherished festivals — Raksha Bandhan. The air was filled with the scent of fresh flowers, the sound of temple bells echoed across neighborhoods, and shopkeepers were busy selling vibrant rakhis in every shape and color imaginable. Across India, sisters prepared to tie these sacred threads on the wrists of their brothers, while brothers readied gifts and promises of lifelong protection.

But in the glittering world of Bollywood, Raksha Bandhan carries an extra sparkle — and sometimes, a surprising twist. Not every brother-sister duo in the industry shares a family tree. Some are bonded not by DNA, but by the heart. They are co-stars turned confidants, protectors turned family, and friends who became siblings through love, loyalty, and shared experiences.

One of the most endearing examples is Salman Khan and Shweta Rohira. The world knows Salman as Bollywood’s “Bhai,” the superstar with a larger-than-life persona and an equally large heart. But beyond his well-known sisters, Alvira and Arpita, there is Shweta — his rakhi sister. Shweta, once married to actor Pulkit Samrat, has been tying rakhi to Salman since childhood. She first met him as an ardent fan, but over time, her place in his life grew deeper. Every year, without fail, she visits Salman’s home for Raksha Bandhan. In the midst of flashing cameras and celebrity chaos, theirs remains a pure, personal bond.

Shweta once shared in an interview that Salman has been her pillar of strength through life’s ups and downs. He, in turn, treats her with the same affection and protectiveness he has for his real sisters. Watching them together during Raksha Bandhan is to witness a connection that proves family can be chosen as much as it is inherited.

Another story that warms the heart is that of Katrina Kaif and Arjun Kapoor. Few would guess that Bollywood’s glamorous diva and the Ishaqzaade actor share such a special sibling-like bond. Their connection began years ago, introduced by none other than Salman Khan when Katrina was still finding her footing in the industry. Over time, Arjun became not just a friend but a brother figure, someone she could rely on for advice, humor, and a listening ear.

The two often tease each other on social media, exchanging playful jabs and warm wishes. It’s said that Katrina ties rakhi to Arjun, sealing a promise of care and respect each year. While the public sees them as stars, their bond away from the limelight is refreshingly real — just a sister trusting her brother, and a brother looking out for his sister.

Then there’s the regal beauty, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and the ever-charming Sonu Sood. Their sibling connection began on the sets of the historical epic Jodhaa Akbar, where Sonu played Aishwarya’s onscreen brother. Somewhere between rehearsals, costume changes, and shared laughs, a real-life bond was born. On one Raksha Bandhan during the shoot, Aishwarya tied a rakhi on Sonu’s wrist, and from that moment, they became family in spirit.

Since then, they’ve carried the tradition forward, year after year. Sonu has often spoken about how honored he feels to be considered her brother, while Aishwarya appreciates his grounded nature and protective presence. It’s a relationship born in fiction but nurtured in reality — a reminder that the stories we enact can sometimes find life beyond the screen.

In a lighter, more modern twist, there’s Alia Bhatt and her “little brother” Yash Johar — the son of filmmaker Karan Johar. Alia’s relationship with Karan has long been one of mentor and protégé, but over the years, it has grown into something much more personal. When Karan’s twins, Yash and Roohi, were born, Alia became a loving “big sister” figure to them.

On Raksha Bandhan, Alia ties rakhi to young Yash, showering him with affection and playful gifts. She treats him as she would a real sibling — fussing over him, spoiling him, and taking pride in his milestones. For Karan, this bond is yet another testament to the fact that the family you build can be as precious as the one you’re born into.

And then there is Deepika Padukone, one of Bollywood’s most admired actresses, who has no real brother but still celebrates Raksha Bandhan with deep sincerity. Her “brother” is Jalal, her trusted bodyguard. Over the years, Jalal has been by her side through film shoots, public events, and hectic travel schedules — ensuring her safety and comfort at all times.

For Deepika, his constant presence and unwavering support felt like the care of an elder sibling. Tying a rakhi on Jalal’s wrist each year became her way of acknowledging his role in her life. She has openly expressed that he is more than an employee — he is family. Watching them during Raksha Bandhan is heartwarming: the superstar and her protector, bound not by contract, but by affection and respect.

These relationships are powerful because they defy conventional definitions of family. In an industry often accused of being cutthroat and superficial, these bonds prove that genuine connections still flourish. They are built not on publicity or convenience, but on shared trust, empathy, and time spent together.

For Salman and Shweta, it’s decades of unwavering tradition. For Katrina and Arjun, it’s laughter and loyalty through the years. For Aishwarya and Sonu, it’s a promise born on a film set that has never faded. For Alia and Yash, it’s the joy of watching a little boy grow, year by year. And for Deepika and Jalal, it’s the silent understanding that someone will always have your back.

Raksha Bandhan is often seen as a day for siblings to celebrate blood ties, but perhaps its true beauty lies in the freedom to honor any relationship that embodies the spirit of the festival. Whether it’s a childhood friend, a mentor, a co-star, or even a trusted colleague — the rakhi is a symbol that transcends biology.

This year, as Bollywood’s brightest stars celebrate, the cameras will capture the glimmering threads and radiant smiles. But the real story will unfold in the quiet moments — in the laughter of Katrina and Arjun over an inside joke, in Salman’s gentle teasing of Shweta, in Deepika’s warm thanks to Jalal, in Aishwarya’s graceful gesture to Sonu, and in Alia’s childlike joy at seeing Yash’s excitement over her gifts.

These moments may not make headlines, but they are the heartbeats of the industry — proof that in a world driven by scripts and roles, some of the best relationships are unscripted.

And perhaps that is why these bonds feel so enduring. They are not tied by obligation, but by choice. They are nurtured not because of societal expectations, but because both people simply want to be in each other’s lives.

In the end, Raksha Bandhan — whether between siblings by birth or by heart — is about the same promise: I will be there for you, in joy and in sorrow, in triumph and in loss, without condition.

That promise, in the fast-moving, ever-changing world of Bollywood, is nothing short of extraordinary. And it is why, each year, these unlikely brothers and sisters tie that sacred thread once again, strengthening a bond that no headline can fully capture.