Bollywood Veteran Salim Khan's Interfaith Love Story Overcame Family Resistance

Salim Khan, one of Bollywood's most acclaimed screenwriters, is known for penning iconic action and dramatic films like 'Deewar' and 'Sholay'. However, his personal life was equally captivating, as he navigated an interfaith relationship with his wife Salma Khan in the 1960s.

According to Salim Khan, his relationship with Salma, originally named Sushila, began in secret. He was uncomfortable hiding it from her family and insisted on meeting them. When Salim finally met Salma's large family, he recalled feeling extremely nervous, as if "all the country's Maharashtrians had assembled in one place." Salma's father expressed concerns about Salim's religion, stating that while he was an educated and respectable man, "the religion is not acceptable."

Salim reassured the family that religion would never be an issue between him and Salma. Interestingly, Salma's grandmother, affectionately called Ajji, was the only member of the family who supported the couple. Salim shared that she would eagerly wait for him, saying, "when will my Shankar come?"

Despite the initial resistance, Salim and Salma went on to marry in 1964 and have four children - Salman, Arbaaz, Sohail, and Alvira. Salim's personal life continued to make headlines when he married actor-dancer Helen in 1981, though the family eventually accepted her as well.