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Bollywood’s veteran screenwriter Salim Khan has often spoken about family values, traditions, and the harmony within his household. In a recent conversation, he shared candid details about his marriage with Salma Khan and the practices the family continues to uphold.
Marriage Sanctified by Both Rituals
Salim Khan revealed that before marrying Salma Khan (born Sushila Charak), the two first performed the Hindu saat pheras before proceeding with their Islamic nikaah.
During a recent interview with Free Press Journal, the eminent screenwriter said, "My father-in-law, a dentist, was from the Dogra community. He had investigated my background when the matter of my wedding came about, and respected the fact that I came from a good family and was well-educated. He candidly told me that my religion was his only objection. I assured him that even if we had disagreements or fights, my wife and I would certainly not have them because of our religions! We have been wedded now for 60 years!”
Further, opening up about his Sushila (Salma)'s reservations about the wedding, Salim said, "My wife had loved the saat phere ritual and had seen her sister as well as cousin follow it. So I myself found a pandit in my locality aur phere lagwa liye. We had a nikaah too, which is essentially a ritual that ascertains that you are not marrying under pressure or force.”
Salim Khan and Salma Khan tied the knot in 1964 and have four children: three sons —Salman, Arbaaz, and Sohail —and a daughter, Alvira. In 1981, Salim also married actor Helen Richardson, while remaining married to Salma.
'Our family doesn’t eat beef'
In the same interaction, he also clarified his family’s dietary choices. Salim said, “From Indore until today, we have never had beef. Beef is eaten by most Muslims as it is the cheapest meat! Some even buy it to feed pet dogs. But in the teachings of Prophet Mohammed, he has clearly stated that a cow’s milk is a substitute for mother’s milk and it is a mufid (beneficial) cheez. He has stated that cows should not be killed and beef is forbidden.”
Harmony in Traditions at Home
Talking about the interfaith practices at the Khan household, Salim said that Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began in his family even before his marriage. He added that he has always been closely familiar with Hindu traditions, saying he could even advise filmmakers on epics like the Mahabharat.
Salman Echoes Same Stance
Earlier, the Times of India had reported that Salman Khan too avoids beef, citing respect for his family’s beliefs. On several occasions, Salman has stressed that while he enjoys other foods, beef has never been a part of his diet- reinforcing the stance publicly acknowledged by his father.
