Salman Khan rarely lets fans into his family life on social media. On Thursday, October 15, 2026, he made an exception, and it was all about his father. The superstar posted a series of photos with Salim Khan, the two of them twinning in matching cowboy hats, and called the veteran screenwriter "the real monster."
Hindustan Times described it as a rare father-son moment, and fans clearly agreed. Within hours, the comments were full of people calling them the best father-son duo in Bollywood.
Inside the photos
According to Hindustan Times, the first few pictures show Salman hugging his father from behind as they sit on chairs, both wearing cowboy hats. Salman looks visibly pleased with the twinning. In the last photo, he sits beside his father and holds his hand.
It's a simple set of pictures, with no stylists, no film promotion and no event backdrop. That is part of why it landed. Salman's Instagram is usually a mix of film announcements, workout posts and brand work. A quiet afternoon with his dad stands out. It's also the second star-family Instagram moment of the week, after "Saif Ali Khan Finally Joins Instagram — and His First Follow Is Wife Kareena Kapoor Khan."
What Salman wrote
The caption was classic Salman: playful, a little cryptic, and emotional underneath. As reported by Hindustan Times, he wrote: "Howdy partner hee haw at 91 at 1 having one, baap baap hota hai, he is the real monster, hum sab ke baap mein hai dum Vande Mataram."
Roughly translated, "baap baap hota hai" means "a father is a father," and "hum sab ke baap mein hai dum" means our father has the strength to take on anyone.
He then added a line that many fans picked up on: "Ek aur din nahi hota ek aur din kam hota hai, u guys get it? God's been kind." The idea is that every passing day isn't one more day, it's one day less. It's a reflection on time with ageing parents that a lot of people recognise.
Salman's caption puts his father's age at 91, and Hindustan Times also describes Salim Khan as 91.
Hindustan Times quoted several comments. "As A Son .....Soo Much To Learn From Him," one fan wrote. Another said, "Best Father Son Duo." Others called them "Two legends in one frame," and one simply wrote, "Salman is daddy's boy."
The post also drew wishes for Salim Khan's health, with many fans thanking Salman for sharing a personal moment instead of a promotional one.
Salim Khan, the original 'angry young man' writer
For anyone who knows Hindi cinema, Salim Khan needs little introduction. As one half of the screenwriting duo Salim–Javed, with Javed Akhtar, he co-wrote some of the most influential films of the 1970s, including Zanjeer, Deewaar and Sholay. Their work defined the "angry young man" hero and helped turn screenwriters into stars in their own right.
That legacy was revisited in Angry Young Men, the 2024 documentary series on Salim–Javed. Salman appeared at its trailer launch in August 2024. The photo on this page is from that event.
Salman still takes his father's advice
The bond is not just for Instagram. In an interview with Variety India, cited by Hindustan Times, Salman said he still turns to his father when he is unsure about something. "Even today, if I'm confused about something, I always take it to him. Whatever he says, I do that," he said. "Usually, people come to you for advice and still do what they want to do. That's not the case with me."
He made a similar point on the first episode of Koffee With Karan Season 9, which premiered this week. Talking about his privacy, Salman said he learned from his father, from the age of 15 or 16, not to talk about his personal life in public, Pinkvilla reported.
The 'monster' wordplay
The "real monster" line may also be a wink at work. According to Hindustan Times, Salman's upcoming film with producer Dil Raju is reportedly titled Monster. Directed by Vamshi Paidipally and co-starring Nayanthara, it is in production and slated for Eid 2027.
He also has Apoorva Lakhia's Maatrubhumi with Chitrangada Singh. Hindustan Times reports that the film was meant to release this Eid but was postponed, and no new date has been announced.
FAQ
What did Salman Khan post with Salim Khan?
A series of photos of the two in matching cowboy hats, hugging and holding hands, shared on Instagram on October 15, 2026.
Why did Salman call his father the "real monster"?
It was part of a playful caption praising his father's strength at 91: "baap baap hota hai, he is the real monster."
How old is Salim Khan?
Salman's caption and Hindustan Times put his age at 91.
What are Salman Khan's upcoming films?
Maatrubhumi with Chitrangada Singh, whose new release date is pending, and a Dil Raju-backed film reportedly titled Monster, slated for Eid 2027.
Cover photo: Bollywood Hungama / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0