- By Swati Singh
- Tue, 24 Feb 2026 03:56 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In a powerful archival interview with Lehrein TV, legendary screenwriter Salim Khan challenged the harmful stereotypes often directed at the Muslim community. He argued against the unfair practice of viewing all Muslims through the lens of terrorism. He emphasised that the vast majority stand firmly against violence. Khan further noted that many in the community deeply respect Hindu culture and traditions.
In a conversation with Lehrein TV, the filmmaker had said, "Every Muslim is not a terrorist, every Muslim has not blown a bomb, every Muslim does not hate the Hindu sentiment, every Muslim is not against the Hindus. There are some Muslims who respect the Hindu religion, who respect their sentiments. There are some Muslims who do not approve of the terrorism that is happening. They are against it, they give statements against it."
Speaking about communal harmony, Khan said, "My wife is a Maharashtrian and she has been keeping Ganpati in her maternal house for years." He further added, "My stardom started after the movie Zanjeer, until then no one knew me. Until no one said that he is a Muslim and he keeps Ganpati," he said, referring to the 1973 film Zanjeer that marked a turning point in his career."
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Salim Khan noted that his family’s rise to stardom, fueled by his own success and that of his sons Salman and Arbaaz, turned their private lives into a subject of constant public fascination. Expressing deep gratitude for their fame, he explained that he purposefully allowed media coverage of their Ganpati celebrations. He viewed this transparency as an opportunity to foster communal harmony and demonstrate the family's genuine devotion to the festival, hoping it would help bring people closer together.
He noted, "If someone brings Ganpati in front of me, will I say my Islam says that I will only pray to this point and that point? Where is it written that you should not put a mark (Tilak)? Where is it written?! All of my staff keep Ganpati and celebrate it. Now, when they bring the Aarti in front of me, why will I say, no, no, don’t put a Tilak on me, I am a Muslim? Where is it written that a Muslim can’t apply Tilak?"