Despite being such an iconic screenwriter, Salim Khan had never penned a film for his own son, Salman Khan. Well, here’s what he had said about it in one of his interviews back in time.

The legendary screenwriter, Salim Abdul Rashid Khan a.k.a. Salim Khan is one of the living legends of Indian cinema. A man renowned for his sheer brilliance and intelligence, he was one of the two people who introduced Hindi cinema to the magic of screenwriting in a way which still creates goosebumps. Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar’s duo was the one, that changed everything for the screenwriter in India, as they made everyone respect writers of films more than ever before.

The iconic duo, Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar had given many masterpieces like Sholay, Seeta Aur Geeta, Zanjeer, Deewar, Kranti, Don, and so on. However, just like every good thing, Salim Khan-Javed Akhtar’s duo also collapsed after hitting some incredible heights in their journey.

Apart from being an exceptional screenwriter, Salim Khan is also a doting father to his five kids. The writer has always supported his kids in their tough times and never skipped a chance to make them realise the value of money, fame, and art. Time and again, in many of his interviews, he has given so many memorable life lessons to people that have potentially changed many people’s lives. One such line that lives rent-free in many people’s eyes was what he had said on Kapil Sharma’s show, The Kapil Sharma Show. He had said:
‘Aansu nikal aaye toh khud poochiyega, log pochne aayenge toh sauda karenge.’

Salim Khan on why he would never write a film for his son, Salman Khan

It was in 2014 when Salim Khan was in a heart-to-heart conversation with esteemed entertainment journalist, Indu Mirani and addressed a much-asked question about him and his son, Salman Khan. The veteran screenwriter, Salim Khan, regarded as one of the finest screenwriters of all time, had opened up about why he had never penned a film for his son, Salman. While people have always wanted to see the father-son duo bring some magic on the big screen, it was Salim Khan, who always kept himself aside from these sorts of expectations. However, the iconic screenwriter had an appropriate answer for the same. He had said:

‘When a person goes to anybody, voh yeh kehta hai ‘saab mere paas badi kamaal ki script hai, aap sun lijiye’. Fir uska pehle khyal yeh aayega ki agar inke paas itni kamaal ki script thi toh inhone apne bete ke sath kyu nahi bana li? Aur fir agar Salman Khan ke saath banata rahu toh ek boht badi risk hai. Hit ho gayi toh unki hai, flop ho gayi toh daddy ki thi.’

Salim Khan on how his kids had punctured his retirement plans

Further, in the interview with Indu Mirani, Salim Khan was asked about his retirement plans. The legendary screenwriter had shared that he wanted to go on vacation, travel places, party and chill with his own friends. However, he added that he doesn’t think he could live his retirement plan because of his five kids, Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Sohail Khan, Alvira Khan, and Arpita Khan. Talking about the way his kids call him whenever they’re stuck in a certain situation or problem, Salim emphasised on his role as the head of the family and said:
‘Har cheez ke liye daddy ke paas jao. Gaadi ka petrol khatam ho jaye toh daddy ke paas jao. Mera kya taaluk hai petrol se? Gaadi kharab ho jaye toh daddy ke paas jao. Koi notice aaye toh daddy ke paas leke jao, income tax ka ho. Toh mujhe fursat hi nahi milti. Kayi baar mujhe raat ke 11 baje phone aata hai ki daddy voh aapse milna chahte hain toh and that’s the reason why I have stopped writing.’

Salim Khan on why he quit screenwriting

Even to this very day, it is often stated that Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar were the last screenwriters in Indian cinema, who had really taken their work quite professionally. From penning scripts through their bare hands, their love for screenwriting made them simply unbeatable at their craft, a legacy that looks unmatchable. Thus, despite being such an icon in the film industry, Salim Khan stopped writing films a long time ago. In the interview, when he was asked to reveal the reason behind it, he admitted that he got suck in the duties of his personal life. Salim Khan had explained:
‘Toh mujhe aisa laga ki ab main itna time nahi de sakunga. Ab main itna professionally nahi kar sakunga. Ab main voh kaam nahi kar sakunga jo main pehle karta tha itne focus se karta tha toh maine kaha ki I should give it up.’

While Salim Khan had shut the doors of him penning a film for his son, Salman Khan, the fans of the father-son duo are still keeping their fingers crossed in the hope that one day they’ll see the iconic screenwriter with his superstar son working together in a film.