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Salman Khan’s father, screenwriter Salim Khan says his family never ate beef and recalls how his marriage with Salma Khan crossed religious lines but faced no major hurdles.
Salim Khan recalls why his family never ate beef and how his interfaith marriage with Salma Khan happened.
Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan rarely speaks at length about his personal life, but when he does, he is at his candid best. In a recent conversation with Free Press Journal, Salman Khan’s father recalled the story of how his interfaith marriage to Salma Khan (born Sushila Charak) came to be and also revealed why beef was never part of his household.
‘From Indore until today, we have never had beef’
Salim Khan explained that despite being Muslim, his family never consumed beef. “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.”
He further added, “Prophet Mohammed has adopted good things from every religion. Like eating only halaal meat which was adopted from the Jews, who call it kosher. He has postulated that every religion is good and believes in a Supreme Power like we do.”
How Salim Khan and Salma Khan’s marriage happened
The veteran recalled how naturally Hindu festivals were part of his upbringing, long before he married Salma Khan. “You see, I have lived all my life amidst Hindus. Even in the police stations and colonies, we celebrated Hindu festivals as everyone from a sipahi to the head constable was a Hindu. So it was not as if we began keeping Ganpati at home only after my marriage. My family had no objection to my marriage either.”
While Salma’s side had some initial hesitation, her father respected Salim’s background and education. “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!”
Salim Khan had two wedding ceremonies – one Hindu marriage and one nikah
Salim Khan also remembered how both Hindu and Muslim wedding rituals were performed at the time of their marriage. “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.”
He added, “We had a nikaah too, which is essentially a ritual that ascertains that you are not marrying under pressure or force.”
Salim Khan, one half of Bollywood’s legendary screenwriting duo Salim–Javed, is regarded as one of the most influential voices in Hindi cinema. Known for blockbuster classics like Sholay, Zanjeer and Deewaar, he later became a respected patriarch of the Khan family, fathering Salman, Arbaaz, Sohail, Alvira and Arpita Khan. Beyond films, he is often admired for his candid views on life, culture and family.
Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring…Read More
Shreyanka Mazumdar is Chief Sub Editor of the entertainment team at News18. With an unbridled passion for all things Bollywood, she loves deep-diving into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, bring… Read More
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