Salman Khan's father, Salim, called him useless, recalls TV star: 'He was looking down'

Before Smriti Irani became a household name in Indian politics, she was already a beloved face on television. Few know that her husband, Zubin Irani, shares a fascinating connection with one of Bollywood’s biggest stars—Salman Khan. During an interview with Mashable India, Smriti revealed that Zubin and Salman were classmates at Mumbai’s St. Xavier’s College.

She recalled how, early in their marriage, Zubin decided to introduce her to his famous friend. When she met Salman, his father, the legendary screenwriter Salim Khan, was also present. Salim Khan lightheartedly teased both young men, telling Smriti that her husband and Salman had a mischievous college habit—they would often sneak away with his car and go for joyrides. Smriti remembered standing quietly as both men sheepishly looked down while Salim laughed about their youthful antics.

"He said, ‘Tumko malum hai tumhare mia sahab mere bete ke saath kya karte the? (Do you know what your partner and my son used to do?) They used to steal my car and drive off. Nikamme hai dono (Both of them are useless). I was just standing there silent, and both Salman and my husband were looking down," she recalled.

Smriti Irani’s rise to fame began in 2000 when she made her television debut with the shows Aatish and Hum Hain Kal Aaj Aur Kal, both aired on Star Plus. That same year, she also featured in Kavita on DD Metro, but her true breakthrough came when she landed the iconic role of Tulsi Virani in Ekta Kapoor’s Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. Her portrayal of Tulsi, a resilient and virtuous daughter-in-law, struck a deep chord with audiences across the nation. The series became one of the biggest hits on Indian television, largely due to Smriti’s powerful performance and her onscreen chemistry with co-stars Amar Upadhyay and Ronit Roy.

Her exceptional work earned her five consecutive ITA Awards for Best Actress (Popular) and four Indian Telly Awards, solidifying her as the face of Indian television. After years away from the small screen, Smriti made a much-anticipated comeback in 2025, reprising her legendary role as Tulsi Virani in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2 on Star Plus — a nostalgic return that delighted fans who grew up watching her.