Salim Khan’s Wisdom on Parenting: ‘Life Doesn’t Run According to Planning’
Veteran Bollywood screenwriter Salim Khan, best known as one half of the legendary Salim-Javed duo, has long been admired not just for his contributions to Indian cinema but also for his grounded perspective on life and family. In an old interview that has recently resurfaced and gained fresh attention—circulated by platforms like Lehren and featured in a January 2026 article by The Indian Express—Khan opened up about his approach to raising his three sons: Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan, and Sohail Khan.
The conversation, believed to date back to the era when his sons were establishing themselves in the film industry, touched on a question that many parents face: how much should one plan or direct a child’s future? Khan’s response was refreshingly candid and philosophical. He explained that he never set out to map out specific career paths or dictate what his sons would become professionally.
“I also want that I don’t intend to plan their growth… woh kya karega, ya uska career kaisa chalega… life planning se chalti nahi hai,” he said. In English, this translates to: “What will he do, or how will his career go… life doesn’t run according to planning.”
Khan drew a simple yet profound analogy from nature to illustrate his point. He likened children to young trees in a garden. Parents, he suggested, provide shelter, nourishment, and protection during the vulnerable early years, much like a gardener tends to saplings. But beyond that initial care, each child—like each tree—grows in its own unique direction, shaped by its inherent qualities, environment, and the unpredictable forces of life.
He went on to emphasize a key lesson for parents, particularly fathers: “One thing people should learn, especially fathers, is that they are as much a part of nature as these trees.” This reminder serves as a gentle nudge against over-control, highlighting that humans are not exempt from the organic, often unpredictable rhythms of growth and development.
In the high-stakes world of Bollywood, where family legacies, nepotism debates, and intense expectations often dominate headlines, Khan’s words stand out as a counter-narrative. Despite the immense success of his eldest son Salman—who became one of the biggest superstars in Indian cinema—Khan maintained a hands-off philosophy. He didn’t push Arbaaz or Sohail into rigid molds or force them to follow in anyone’s footsteps. Instead, he allowed their individual personalities and choices to guide their journeys: Salman as the charismatic leading man, Arbaaz as an actor-director-producer with a more measured approach, and Sohail as a filmmaker and occasional actor.
This laid-back mindset reflects a deeper trust in individuality and destiny. Khan acknowledged that while parental guidance is valuable, rigid blueprints rarely survive the complexities of real life. Effort, opportunity, timing, and personal drive play far greater roles than any preconceived plan.
The resurfacing of this interview resonates particularly today, in an era of helicopter parenting, competitive career coaching from a young age, and social media-fueled pressure to achieve predefined milestones. Khan’s reflection offers timeless reassurance: it’s okay to let go of the need for total control. Life, after all, has its own script—one that unfolds best when given room to breathe.
Through his words, Salim Khan not only shares insight into his own family dynamics but also imparts a broader life lesson: embrace the unpredictable, nurture without imposing, and trust that growth happens in its own beautiful, unscripted way.
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