Salman Khan Opens Up About Accepting Helen as Part of the Family
Mumbai: Bollywood superstar Salman Khan recently reflected on one of the most emotional moments of his childhood: coming to terms with his father Salim Khan’s second marriage to iconic actress Helen.
Speaking in a 1990 Filmfare interview, Salman described himself as a “mama’s boy,” confessing how difficult it was to watch his mother Salma Khan navigate the early days of her husband’s remarriage.
“I’m a mama’s boy. I can’t bear to see her unhappy. She was very hurt when my father married again. I’d hate it when she’d wait up for him to come home,” Salman shared.
Despite his initial resistance, Salman recalled how his father reassured him and his siblings that nothing in the family would change.
“Dad explained to us that he still loved mom and that he’ll always be around. I was about 10 at that time, and it took us quite some time to really accept Helen aunty. Today she’s a part of our family. Our whole family is like a closed fist…”
Helen’s Perspective: Guilt and Respect
Helen, meanwhile, revealed her own early struggles in a past interview, admitting that being involved with a married man weighed heavily on her.
“The fact that Salim was a married man did disturb me and I did feel guilty in the beginning. Something about Salim set him apart from the rest of the industry men. I respected him tremendously as he tried to help me out without trying to exploit me,” she said.
Their connection had roots in the past, during the shooting of the classic film Don, where Helen performed the song “Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Diwana.” Helen recalled, “The first time I really met him was during Don,” while Salim described their bond growing over quiet evening conversations.
“After the day’s shooting, Helen would come over, and we would have a drink together, and then she would leave,” Salim said. When asked about falling in love, he quipped, “Pyaar toh apne agar kiya hoga toh pata lagega.”
From Turbulence to Unity
Salman has emphasized that the family’s harmony only took shape after Salma fully accepted Helen. Today, Helen is a respected and loved member of the family, present at every major occasion, including Salim and Salma’s recent 61st wedding anniversary.
What began as a period of tension has now transformed into a story of mutual respect, understanding, and family unity, reflecting the dynamics of one of Bollywood’s most high-profile families.
