The launch event of Raunaq, a joint musical collaboration between musical maestro A R Rahman and Union Minister Kapil Sibal turned out to be an extremely eventful affair. For starters, one wondered why Salman Khan was called as the Chief Guest at an event where there were already enough luminaries present. True to his style, the Dabangg Khan arrived much after the event had started. And as soon as the actor arrived, he was ushered on to the stage to release the music album. All was well until Salman was offered the microphone to say a few words. When emcee Maninee Mishra asked Salman "Kaisa lag raha hain yahan aakar?", Salman without batting an eyelid replied, 'Accha lag raha hain' in a tone that made the audience laugh. What followed was even more incredulous. Though Salman praised Kapil Sibal by saying that Kapil sir is a great lyricist, the actor openly took potshots at Rahman. "You all know what an average artist Rahman is. Right? There are two things common between me and him, " Jai Ho!," said Salman which made the colour drain out of Rahman's face. As Rahman stood there stupefied, Salman also boasted that he (Salman) is the best person anyone could have had in this gathering to inaugurate the music album. (Other dignitaries like Anil Kapoor, Amar Singh, Jaya Prada were present) Salman then proceeded to sarcastically request A R Rahman to work with him."Hamaare saath kab kaam karoge yaar," asked Salman. As soon as the album was launched, Salman moved to shake hands with Rahman. But a grumpy Rahman refused and kept his hand firmly placed inside his sleeve pocket. The promised press conference too was pushed back as Salman had set a cat among the pigeons with his comments. Soon enough, Salman left causing a mini mayhem outside the suburban hotel (a glass flower pot broke when Salman's security stepped on it in the melee) with reporters and photographers surrounding the star for bytes but Salman smilingly denied to oblige. As soon as Salman vroomed away, Kapil Sibal and Rahman addressed a joint press conference, where the obvious questions on Salman were met with tepid responses. Answering why Salman was called as the Chief Guest, Kapil said, "He is an outstanding artist with a great mass appeal. So we thought of having him." Rahman who appeared unusually quiet all throughout the event especially after Salman's comments, took his grouse out against the actor when he uncharacteristically and nonchalantly said that he would work with Salman only when he makes movies that he (Rahman) likes. Of course, later Rahman did try to placate the situation by saying that it was nice to have had Salman at the event and they have collaborated in the past successfully, the sarcastic remark made by the maestro against Salman was not entirely lost. It may well be remembered that Rahman had shot off a legal notice to Salman for using Jai Ho which the former had registered. Denying that there is any acrimony or rift between him and Salman, Rahman said, "I had registered the title Jai Ho so as to prevent it from being misused. I had given a NOC in this issue and the matter ended in peace." But the question that still remains is why did Salman take potshots at a soft spoken and respected figure like Rahman and that too in the presence of a Union Minister of the Congress? Does Salman still nurse hatred in his mind against Rahman? Or is there more to it than what meets the eye? Only time will tell. (Pic by Amar Mehta)