What’s with Salman Khan and November 18

It seems impossible for Salman Khan to evade questions about his marriage, no matter where he goes. But when he was asked the question recently at a function to launch Sania Mirza’s autobiography, he shot back: ‘November 18’. So why November 18

Interestingly it is the date Salman has chosen for his shaadi right from his childhood. It’s the date Salim Khan (Salman’s father and writer) married Salma (Salman’s mother). From the time Salman was young he resolved that this was the day he would tie the knot.

Explaining the same, Salman himself said, “Ye 18th November kuch bees-pachees Novembers se chal raha hai pata nahi kaunse saal may hota hai, but hoga. (This talk about marriage has been going on for the last 20-25 years. I don’t know when it will take place, but it will happen).”

On being prodded more, a friend said, “We have received no intimation of a wedding. And we won’t either. Ever since his wedding to a lady (Sangeeta Bijalani) was called off after all the formalities including the wedding cards were done, Salman has been a little superstitious about announcing his wedding. So when it does happen, it will happen out of nowhere. I suspect we’ll be told to get ready within an hour for the wedding.”

While all other marriages in his family may be on the rocks, Salman sees his parents’ relationship as the rock-solid foundation on which the Khan family is built.

Salim Khan married a Maharashtrian Hindu. She changed her religion and they’ve been married for 53 years. While this seems like an impossible goal for the 50-year-old star, that’s the goal has set for himself. When he was a child Salman would repeatedly tell his parents he will marry on the day they did. His sister Arpita also got married on November 18. In Salman’s mind his parent’s wedding day is embedded as a symbol of a durable relationship. He sees his parents’ marriage as the ideal togetherness, unbroken even when Salim Khan wedded a second time.