Salman Khan says no one stopped him from getting married, hints at wanting children

Bollywood star Salman Khan has said his decision to remain unmarried was entirely his own, adding that he had no one else to blame for staying single and was content with how his life had unfolded.

The 60-year-old actor made the remarks during the opening episode of Season 9 of Koffee With Karan, which aired on October 14. Khan appeared as the first guest of the show's final season, hosted by filmmaker Karan Johar. The full episode has yet to be released online.

“Nobody stopped me from getting married; I stopped myself,” Khan said, explaining that remaining unmarried had been his own decision.

The actor added that he could not blame anyone else for his relationship status, saying he was happy with his choice rather than viewing himself as someone who had been denied a partner. However, he suggested that fatherhood could still be part of his future.

“I do want to have children at some point,” he said, describing having children as one of life's most wonderful experiences.

During their conversation, Johar spoke about occasionally feeling lonely without a romantic partner and asked Khan whether he experienced similar feelings. Khan challenged the idea, pointing to Johar's children and mother as sources of companionship. He argued that being without a partner did not necessarily mean someone had to feel lonely.

Khan also expressed happiness over Johar becoming a father, reiterating that children could bring considerable joy to a person's life.

The episode also saw Khan criticise photographers who capture female actors from uncomfortable or inappropriate angles. He distinguished between celebrities who deliberately arrange public appearances for promotional purposes and those who prefer to keep their lives private.

He criticised the practice of photographing actors without regard for their comfort, particularly when such images were circulated on social media. Khan also questioned posts that asked users to identify celebrities from photographs taken from behind, with Johar agreeing that the practice was ridiculous.

Actress Karisma Kapoor later joined Khan and Johar for the show's rapid-fire segment. Khan and Kapoor have appeared together in 13 films. Their chemistry on the programme prompted fans to speculate about a possible romance, with some suggesting that the two should become a real-life couple.

The appearance marked Khan's third visit to the Koffee With Karan couch. He previously appeared on the show alongside his father, screenwriter Salim Khan, and later with his brothers Arbaaz and Sohail Khan.

On the professional front, Khan is next set to appear in director Apoorva Lakhia's Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace.