Salman Khan Relationship Timeline: Every Confirmed Romance, Breakup And Rumours
Get the ultimate timeline of Salman Khan's love life. We break down every confirmed relationship, major breakup, almost-wedding, Bollywood rumour, and his current relationship status.
Salman Khan has been among Bollywood’s most talked-about stars for over three decades. With a career defined by unprecedented box-office dominance, an intensely loyal fan following, and a larger-than-life persona, he is undoubtedly one of the most influential figures in Indian cinema. However, parallel to his blockbusters, his personal life – specifically his romantic relationships – has continuously attracted significant public attention. Known as Bollywood's eternal bachelor, Salman’s dating history is filled with high-profile romances, intense media scrutiny, and a few near-marriages.
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From his early days dating former beauty queens and models to his deeply publicized relationships with leading ladies, fans and the media have followed every twist and turn of his love life. While a few of his breakups were famously turbulent, he has managed an incredibly rare feat in the industry: remaining close friends with several of his exes. Today, his relationship status remains one of the most heavily debated topics. This timeline explores every confirmed relationship that shaped his journey, the persistent rumours that kept tabloids busy, and where the ultimate superstar stands on marriage today.
Salman Khan’s Relationship Timeline:
Mid-1980s-Around 1988: Shaheen Jaffrey
How They Met
Shaheen Jaffrey was Salman’s pre-stardom girlfriend. Kiara Advani, Shaheen’s niece, said that her mother Genevieve Advani and Salman grew up together in Bandra and that Genevieve introduced him to her sister. Kiara described it as possibly the first relationship for both. An old account attributed to Salman’s brother Arbaaz Khan similarly described Shaheen as his steady college girlfriend for about three years.
Public Appearances
This relationship predated Salman’s breakthrough in ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ (1989), so it did not play out on red carpets. Shaheen’s mother, Bharati Jaffrey, later recalled that both families treated the other partner as one of their own and that marriage once seemed possible.
Films
None. Shaheen stayed outside Hindi cinema, and the relationship belonged to Salman’s college and early modelling years.
The Breakup
No first-person breakup statement from Salman or Shaheen exists. Later family accounts say they drifted apart as Salman grew close to model and actress Sangeeta Bijlani.
Where They Stand Now
Shaheen subsequently married and chose a private life. There is no reliable evidence of a continuing public friendship. Salman has also never spoken at length about this early relationship.
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1986-1994: Sangeeta Bijlani
How They Met
Salman Khan and former Miss India Sangeeta Bijlani met in the modelling and advertising world before either became a major film star. Several reports place the start of their relationship around 1986, although some accounts date their first meeting slightly later. They remained together for roughly eight years – one of Salman’s longest publicly acknowledged relationships.
Public Appearances
Their romance belonged to the pre-social-media era, but they attended industry and social events together and became close to each other’s families. The relationship was serious enough for a wedding to be planned in 1994. Salman confirmed on ‘Koffee with Karan’ that even the invitations had been printed. Sangeeta finally verified the story on ‘Indian Idol 15’ in 2024, saying the claim was not a lie.
Films
They never starred together in a film. Their paths overlapped through modelling, advertising and the same film-industry social circuit.
The Breakup
The wedding was called off in 1994. When Karan Johar asked whether Sangeeta had “caught” him, Salman initially deflected and then conceded, “Yeah, kind of,” before jokingly reversing course. Somy Ali has separately claimed that Sangeeta found her with Salman and ended the wedding plans.
Where They Stand Now
They eventually rebuilt a warm friendship. Sangeeta frequently attends Salman’s family celebrations and film events, while Salman attended her birthday celebration in 2025. She had said that old connections and affection do not simply disappear.
1991/1992-December 1999: Somy Ali
How They Met
Pakistan-born, US-raised Somy Ali had said she watched ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’ as a 16-year-old in 1991, became infatuated with Salman and moved to Mumbai hoping to marry him. She later met him through the film industry. Somy recalled confessing her feelings while they travelled to Nepal for the shelved film ‘Buland’. Salman told her he already had a girlfriend. According to Somy, their relationship began about a year later, when she was 17.
Public Appearances
They were photographed at film parties and events throughout the 1990s, and Somy became close to the Khan family. The overlapping dates with Sangeeta’s relationship are not a typographical error: Somy has publicly acknowledged that Salman was attached when she first pursued him and, in 2026, revisited Sangeeta discovering them together.
Films
Their only joint film, ‘Buland’, began shooting in Kathmandu but was shelved. They did not release a film together. Somy acted in Hindi films including ‘Anth’, ‘Yaar Gaddar’ and ‘Aao Pyaar Karen’ before leaving the industry.
The Breakup
Somy Ali left India in December 1999. Her stated reason is unambiguous: she has repeatedly said Salman was unfaithful and that she ended the relationship. In later posts and interviews, she also accused him of verbal and physical abuse.
Where They Stand Now
They are not in contact. Somy Ali said in 2024 that their last conversation was in 2012 and that she did not want a reunion. She now runs the US-based nonprofit No More Tears.
1999-2002: Aishwarya Rai
How They Met
Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai worked together on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’, released in 1999. Co-star Smita Jaykar had said that they fell in love during filming and that their off-screen affection strengthened their on-screen chemistry.
Public Appearances
They attended film functions and social gatherings together, and their romance quickly became one of Bollywood’s most covered relationships. The later turmoil also became public. A reported confrontation during the making of ‘Chalte Chalte’ contributed to Aishwarya being replaced. Shah Rukh Khan subsequently expressed regret over the professional decision, while stopping short of publicly detailing every incident.
Films
They played lovers in ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’. Salman later made a cameo in Aishwarya’s ‘Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke’ (2000), and both appeared in ‘Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam’ (2002), though they were not the central pair.
The Breakup
Aishwarya publicly confirmed the split in 2002. In a statement, she alleged verbal, physical and emotional abuse, infidelity, indignity and harassment after the relationship ended, and announced that she would never work with Salman again. Salman denied physically assaulting her, telling Mid-Day in 2002, “I have never beaten her”.
Where They Stand Now
They have neither worked together nor publicly interacted for more than two decades. Aishwarya married Abhishek Bachchan in 2007 and they have a daughter, Aaradhya.
Early 2000s-2010: Katrina Kaif
How They Met
Salman had said he first met Katrina at a small gathering when she was around 18; she already knew his sister and friends. The precise start year was never supplied by the couple, although the relationship developed during Katrina’s earliest years in Hindi cinema. Katrina later described Salman as her first serious relationship.
Public Appearances
They were regularly seen at film promotions, award functions and Khan-family celebrations, but usually called each other friends while the romance was ongoing. Their closeness and collaborations made them one of the industry’s most discussed couples without a formal joint announcement.
Films
They appeared in ‘Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?’ (2005), ‘Partner’ (2007), ‘Yuvvraaj’ (2008) and ‘Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani’ (2009), in which Salman had a cameo. After separating, they made ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ (2012), ‘Tiger Zinda Hai’ (2017), ‘Bharat’ (2019) and ‘Tiger 3’ (2023).
The Breakup
In August 2010, Salman directly said that he and Katrina had broken up. He listed several general reasons relationships can fail – different paths, misunderstandings, outside interference or growing out of love – but did not identify one definitive cause. Claims about infidelity, Ranbir Kapoor or family pressure should therefore not be presented as the explanation.
Where They Stand Now
They remained friends and successful co-stars. Katrina called Salman a “true friend” who had always supported her and said she trusted him implicitly. She married Vicky Kaushal in December 2021, and the couple welcomed their son, Vihaan, in November 2025.
Iulia Vantur (Current Status)
How They Met
Salman Khan reportedly met Romanian singer, actress, and television presenter Iulia Vantur in the early 2010s during one of his international trips, and they immediately hit it off.
Public Appearances
For over a decade now, Iulia has been a constant fixture by Salman Khan’s side. From accompanying him to high-profile weddings (like the Ambani festivities in Mumbai), spending lockdowns at his Panvel farmhouse, and being a core part of all Khan family celebrations, she is widely considered his longtime companion.
Films
Iulia has sung multiple songs for Salman’s films, including tracks in ‘Race 3’, ‘Radhe’, and ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’.
Marriage And Current Stand
As of 2026, Salman Khan remains unmarried. While the media consistently refers to Iulia as his rumoured girlfriend or partner, neither has officially confirmed an impending marriage. When asked, Iulia maintains they are “great friends,” though her deep integration into his family life speaks volumes. For now, Salman continues his reign as Bollywood's most famous bachelor.
Salman Khan’s Rumoured Relationships And Unverified Link-Ups
Claudia Ciesla
Reports circulated in 2009 after Salman invited the model to meet his family, with some stories even blaming her for trouble with Katrina Kaif. Claudia said Salman was only a good friend, explicitly identified Katrina as his girlfriend and later reiterated that the dating story had no truth.
Zareen Khan
When Zareen Khan was launched by Salman in ‘Veer’ (2010), her resemblance to Katrina Kaif sparked rumours that he was dating his new leading lady. They were often seen promoting the film closely together. Zareen has repeatedly denied these rumours, stating that Salman is a mentor, a dear friend, and someone she deeply respects for giving her a break in Bollywood.
Daisy Shah
Their pairing in ‘Jai Ho’ (2014), Salman’s mentorship and Daisy’s openly affectionate comments about him generated link-up stories. Daisy consistently described Salman as a friend, mentor and guide, and both maintained a just-friends position. They later worked together in ‘Race 3’.
Elli AvrRam
Salman Khan’s playful attention towards Elli on ‘Bigg Boss 7’ and his support after the show prompted dating speculation. Elli said people were reading too much into their interactions and that she did not know Salman well enough to consider a relationship. She later described him as a protective guide.
Pooja Hegde
The rumour emerged while they made ‘Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan’ and intensified after Salman attended Pooja’s brother’s wedding. However, Pooja Hegde said she was single, enjoyed being single and was focused on her career. No credible evidence of a relationship followed.
Salman Khan’s relationship timeline is as dramatic, compelling, and larger-than-life as the blockbuster films he stars in. From almost tying the knot in the 1990s to his fiercely publicized heartbreaks in the early 2000s, his love life has been a subject of endless fascination for millions of fans. What truly sets his dating history apart, however, is his remarkable ability to transition high-profile breakups into enduring, lifelong friendships – as seen with exes like Sangeeta Bijlani and Katrina Kaif, who both remain closely knit with his family today.
While the media continues to speculate about his future with Iulia Vantur, Salman remains fiercely protective of his current dynamic and heavily focused on his massive upcoming cinematic projects. Whether he eventually decides to settle down or continues to proudly wear his eternal bachelor crown, Salman Khan’s personal life remains one of the most closely watched chapters in Indian cinema.
