Why Salman Khan never married? Actor once blamed director Sooraj Barjatya for his bachelorhood

Bollywood icon Salman Khan, known for his blockbuster films and complex personal life, has never married despite being one of the most eligible bachelors in India. In 2018, during an interaction at the TiE Global Summit, the actor addressed the often-asked question about his bachelorhood, delivering an answer that was both humorous and revealing.

Speaking to the audience, Salman remarked that weddings have become far too extravagant. Recalling how simple his father Salim Khan’s wedding was, he joked about how filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya had set high expectations with lavish wedding portrayals in films like Maine Pyar Kiya and Hum Saath Saath Hain. He quipped, “Marriage has become such a big thing. You spend lakhs and lakhs and crores of money on getting somebody married. I can't afford that. That's the reason I am a single man."

Family Influence and Being Human
The actor also used the occasion to reflect on his family's philanthropic work. He noted that his parents had been involved in charity long before it became publicly recognized. "My parents have been quietly engaged in charity work for a long time. Now whatever charity work I and my siblings do, it has been given just one name - Being Human," he said.

Salman explained how people would often approach him for financial help—particularly asking for Rs 2 lakh to arrange their daughters’ weddings. He connected this sentiment to his resistance to the rising costs of weddings, stating that this pressure further discouraged him from tying the knot himself.

Salim Khan's Perspective
Salman’s father, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan, once shared additional insight into his son’s prolonged single status. In a resurfaced interview, Salim explained that Salman often searched for qualities of his mother, Salma Khan, in the women he dated. "Jab commitment ho jaata hai toh voh usko convert karne ki koshish karta hai, usme apni maa dhoondta hai," Salim said, noting that this expectation was unrealistic.

Salim also pointed out a contradiction in Salman's mindset. While he was often attracted to career-focused actresses he worked with, he seemed to expect them to give up their ambitions post-marriage. This contradiction, Salim believed, made long-term commitment difficult for Salman.

Relationships Over the Years
Over the decades, Salman Khan has been linked with several prominent actresses. He was in a widely publicized relationship with Aishwarya Rai after meeting her on the sets of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Their romance ended in a highly publicized and turbulent breakup in 2002. Prior to that, he had dated Sangeeta Bijlani, and the two were reportedly close to getting married before calling it off.

Later, Salman was often spotted with Katrina Kaif. Though the relationship was never officially confirmed, their on-screen chemistry and public appearances kept fans speculating for years. More recently, Romanian actress and singer Iulia Vantur has been seen regularly with Salman and even participated in Khan family events. Iulia has also contributed musically to some of his film projects and remains a visible presence in his life.

What's Next for the Actor
Professionally, Salman was last seen in Sikandar, which failed to impress at the box office, earning Rs 184.89 crore worldwide. Despite the film’s underperformance, Salman remains active in the industry. He has announced an upcoming action film with Sanjay Dutt, though further details are under wraps. Additionally, Kick 2, produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, is still in the works.