No Entry Turns 20: Lara Dutta and Celina Jaitly recall Salman Khan’s impact on set

Anees Bazmee’s 2005 hit No Entry is remembered as one of Bollywood’s most iconic comedies, with a stellar ensemble cast featuring Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Fardeen Khan, Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta, Esha Deol, and Celina Jaitly. The film’s slapstick humour, quirky storyline, and star-studded performances made it a blockbuster. With the film marking its 20th anniversary this week, Lara and Celina opened up about their cherished memories with Salman Khan on set.

Lara Dutta Recalls, 'From Intimidation to Laughter...'

Reflecting on her experience, Lara Dutta revealed she was initially offered two roles in No Entry but chose the part of Kajal, which pushed her into unfamiliar comedic territory. She described working with Salman Khan as both intimidating and exciting.

 

 

 

 

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Talking about Salman Khan, Lara shared that "having him on set was quite intimidating". 

Further, she added, "Having @anilskapoor by my side, elevating our performance and every scene, was an absolute treat for a relative newcomer…. I hadn’t yet done PARTNER with @beingsalmankhan so having him on set was quite intimidating….. it was like the superstar had arrived ! But he was chilled out and fun and charming as hell!"

Celina Jaitly: Salman’s Protective Presence

For newcomer Celina Jaitly, No Entry was equally memorable—thanks to Salman Khan’s supportive presence. Shooting in Mauritius, she noticed how Salman was “very protective of the girls,” ensuring that his female co-stars always felt safe and reassured. This sense of care, Celina said, left a lasting impression on her. 

Celina told Screen, “Salman brought a very different energy altogether. He was incredibly busy at the time, often juggling two other films alongside No Entry in Mauritius itself, yet he was a lot of fun and very protective about the girls, which was always reassuring."

She also fondly remembered off-screen bonding, from pajama parties with Lara, Bipasha, and Esha to shared laughter long after the cameras stopped rolling. For her, Salman wasn’t just the film’s superstar; he was a dependable co-star who quietly looked out for his colleagues.

The Legacy Lives On

As No Entry completes two decades, the stories shared by Lara Dutta and Celina Jaitly highlight the film’s unique blend of comedy, camaraderie, and care behind the scenes. While fans eagerly await the sequel, the anecdotes reaffirm why the original cast and Salman Khan’s larger-than-life yet protective presence remain irreplaceable in Bollywood’s comedy legacy.