Salim Khan’s Love Story with Salma Khan: A Journey of Interfaith Love
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh/ 7th June 2024
In 1954, screenwriter Salim Khan was not yet a prominent figure in the film industry when he married Sushila Charak, who is now known as Salma Khan. Despite her connection to the famous Salman Khan, Salma Khan has always kept a low profile. Recently, Salim Khan opened up about their love story in an interview with his son, Arbaaz Khan, on the show Bollywood Bubble. He reminisced about how their romance blossomed in the neighborhood where they lived in apartments directly across from each other.
Salim Khan was quite popular in his locality, known for his impressive feats like lifting a jeep and being a champion in arm wrestling. He explained, “My popularity in the neighborhood grew, and that’s how I became close to her.” Their relationship started with secret meetings, but Salim soon expressed his desire to meet Salma’s parents. He recalled, “We would meet secretly, but I told her I wanted to meet her parents. When I visited, everyone came to see me as if I was an attraction in a zoo.”
Meeting the family was nerve-wracking for Salim, especially when the topic of religion came up. Salma’s father acknowledged Salim’s good qualities but was concerned about their differing religions. Salim reassured him, saying, “Your daughter and I could have many problems, but religion will never be one of them.” Despite these challenges, Sushila Charak converted to Islam, became Salma Khan, and married Salim.
Their union was further enriched by the affectionate relationship Salim shared with Salma’s maternal grandmother, who lovingly called him Shankar. In 1981, Salim married Helen, a well-known actress, and he was upfront with Salma about this new relationship. He described it as an “emotional accident,” emphasizing that such events can happen to anyone. Salma did not react with anger, but it was not an easy situation.
Salim Khan’s family, with members following different faiths, has always managed to maintain harmony. Arbaaz Khan noted that religion is never a source of discord in their family. Salim Khan’s deep respect for different cultures is evident in his admiration for Hindu epics like the Ramayan and the Mahabharat. He shared how these texts have influenced his work, stating, “I have read Ramayan and Mahabharat as books of knowledge. They have greatly benefitted my writing. If I get stuck, I refer to the Mahabharat. It is the greatest screenplay, and Ramayan is one of the greatest stories.”
Salim Khan’s life and career are a testament to the power of love, respect, and cultural harmony. His stories and experiences reflect a blend of traditions and beliefs, highlighting how love can transcend barriers and create lasting bonds.
