Salman Khan, the Bollywood superstar and heartthrob of millions, has always been known for his off-screen persona as much as his on-screen performances. The actor, who is now 56 years old, has never been married, but has spoken about his desire to become a father.
However, recent changes in Indian law have made Salman Khan’s plans for single parenthood more difficult to realize. In a recent interview on the television show Aap Ki Adalat, Salman Khan spoke about his plans to have a child, saying “Abhi kya bolu woh toh plan tha. Plan tha. Bahu ka nahi tha, baccha ke tha” (What do I say? That was the plan, not for a daughter-in-law but for a child).
Salman Khan’s desire to become a father is not surprising, given his love for children. He has often been spotted playing with kids on film sets and at events, and has even launched a foundation called Being Human that focuses on education and healthcare for children.
However, the legal hurdles that Salman now faces are significant. Under the Indian Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Regulation Bill, 2020, surrogacy is only allowed for married couples who have been unable to conceive a child. In addition, only Indian citizens can use surrogacy services, and the surrogate mother must be a close relative of the intended parents.
This means that Salman Khan, as an unmarried individual, is not eligible to use surrogacy to have a child in India. The law was passed in order to prevent the exploitation of women who may be used as surrogates, as well as to ensure the welfare of the child born through surrogacy.
Salman is not the only celebrity to have faced legal hurdles in their pursuit of parenthood. In 2019, filmmaker Karan Johar revealed that he had used surrogacy to have two children, but had faced criticism from some quarters for having children outside of marriage.
Salman Khan himself referenced Karan Johar’s experience in his interview, saying “Karan Johar ji ki wajah se toh problem ho gayi hai. Woh toh le gaya, lekin ab humko dekhna hai kya karna hai” (It is because of Karan Johar that the problem has arisen. He went through it, but now we have to see what can be done).
Despite the legal hurdles he faces in India, Salman has not given up on his desire to become a father. He has suggested that he may explore his options elsewhere, although it is not clear what those options might be.
It is worth noting that Salman’s desire to become a single parent is not unique. Many people around the world, both men and women, have pursued parenthood without a partner through a variety of means, including adoption and surrogacy.
However, the legal landscape around surrogacy and assisted reproduction is complex and varies from country to country. In some places, surrogacy is illegal, while in others it is heavily regulated. Even in places where surrogacy is legal, the process can be expensive and emotionally challenging.
For Salman, the path to parenthood may be more difficult than he anticipated, but it is not impossible. Whether he pursues surrogacy outside of India or explores other options, he is sure to have the support of his fans and well-wishers.
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In the meantime, Salman continues to focus on his acting career, with several upcoming films including the highly anticipated action-thriller Tiger 3, co-starring Katrina Kaif. Despite the legal hurdles he faces in his personal life, Salman remains one of the most beloved and popular actors in Bollywood, and his fans will no doubt continue to support him in all his endeavors.
