On the occasion of Salim Khan’s 82^nd birthday, we dig into the archives of 1976, to bring you unknown facts about the writer who was one half of the very successful writer duo, Salim-Javed, and is father of the very successful Salman Khan…

Salim Khan hailed from Indore, and was keen on becoming a pilot. However, he was forced to give up the idea because of the serious accidents he had encountered. He made his way to Bombay having been signed by K. Amarnath for a film.

His ‘better half’ Javed Akhtar on the other hand was bent on becoming a director but writing being in his blood (his father was a poet, his mother a writer) he landed up in the same boat after coming in contact with Salim. Salim, very wisely realising his shortcomings as an actor on the screen (he was much better off-screen!), gave it up and resorted to writing, which he felt he could excel in.

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Salim didn’t win his wife Salma very easily. He is known for not making decisions quickly, especially in matters of likes and loves. Living opposite each other at Mahim, the two casually got talking one day. Gradually they developed a fondness for each other and this blossomed into love. But at this stage, Salim was in no position to support a wife and family.

Salma, hailing from an orthodox family (Maharashtrian mother and Punjabi father) began having problems at home, possibly because of her relationship with Salim. However, Salim promised he would marry her as soon as he was able to do so. And so their love deepened, as they got to know each other more closely over a period of five years. The long wait proved fruitful. For even before Salim was properly established, they were wed. He promised that no matter what differences arose between the two, religion would never be one of them.

Soon fatherhood beckoned, with the family being blessed with four children, three boys and a girl. Back in 1976, Salim said of his wife, “Where Salma excelled in my eyes, was during that period in my life when I wasn’t very well off. Not at any moment during those days did she give me the feeling that she had made the wrong move by marrying me. The problem of good food, clothes or meals never bothered her. When money came, too, she didn’t change. Salma has always been very generous.” Talking of generosity, Salim has scores of people dropping in from his hometown for help and, unlike other film celebrities, he welcomes them and sends them away happy.

Salim favours relaxing at home every evening with a few friends over drinks, or with his wife and kids. He does not encourage business talk at this time. What Salim and his wife cannot tolerate in film people are their false airs. “When I’m expected to be too courteous and exhibit extra good manners all the time, then it gets on my nerves,” says Salim.

Salim doesn’t believe in going out of his way to read film magazines either. Not that he bears a grouse against any of them. “It’s just that when you read something untrue and unpleasant about yourself, you spend too much time brooding and nursing grudges against people. I’m happier the way I am.”

Salim also spends a lot of time with his children, because he wants them to have a certain rapport with him. He teaches them to respect their elders, never tell lies, “but you should see my sons’ reaction, when a phone call comes from somebody whom I don’t want to speak to. If I tell my wife to say I’m not home, I’ve had it. ‘You tell us not to lie and you nicely tell lies, huh daddy,’ they declare. Then I have to justify my lie with suitable reasons. The latest craze with Salman, Arbaaz, Sohail and Alvira, is Bruce Lee and they question me, ‘Daddy can Bruce Lee ever beat you?’ and I say ‘No’. And they say ‘Arre, if he gives you one hit, you will fly three miles.’ And Daddy ultimately laughs and submits to them. During the little spare time, which the couple get to themselves, Salim either goes to the club to play billiards or sits and listens to music, while Salma’s favourite pastime is reading.

With regard to religion, Salim says he believes in the principles of religion but not in the form and ceremonies. Although Salim and his children worship according to Islamic traditions, he has given his children the freedom to choose whatever religion they would like to when they grow up.