Zaheer Iqbal reveals Salman Khan knew about Sonakshi Sinha romance before they confessed
Synopsis
Salman Khan — the man who introduced them — had quietly clocked Zaheer Iqbal and Sonakshi Sinha's romance long before they admitted it to him, even warning them about a potential breakup. Seven years of denial, one trekking-trip reality check, and a quiet civil wedding later, the couple is finally telling the story.
Key Takeaways
Zaheer Iqbal and Sonakshi Sinha revealed on Double Date that Salman Khan had figured out their relationship before they confessed it to him.
Salman Khan warned them during their secret dating phase: ‘Ek din tum log ka break-up hoga’ — a moment that stunned both.
The couple confirmed the jig was fully up during a trekking trip when Khan told Zaheer , ‘Dikh raha hai sab.’ Sonakshi and Zaheer dated privately for seven years after meeting at a party hosted by Salman Khan .
They co-starred in Double XL ( 2022 ) and married in a civil ceremony under the Special Marriage Act in June 2024 .
Actor Zaheer Iqbal has revealed that Bollywood superstar Salman Khan had already figured out his relationship with actress Sonakshi Sinha well before the couple worked up the nerve to tell him themselves. The candid disclosure came during an appearance on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi's chat show Double Date, where the couple looked back on the early, secretive days of their romance.
How Salman Khan Saw Through Their Denials
The couple recounted how they repeatedly denied the relationship whenever Salman Khan — the common friend who had originally introduced them — brought it up. Despite their best efforts, the 'Dabangg' star was not fooled. “Salman Khan saw us before we told him. He had already found out,” Zaheer recalled on the show.
Sonakshi elaborated on just how perceptive Khan had been: “There was a full vibe going on and he’s not stupid. He saw us. Whenever he used to ask me, we would deny it and say, ‘Aisa kuch nahi hai.’ Then one day he said, ‘Dekho, ek din tum log ka break-up hoga. Tu yahan se aake royegi, woh wahan se aake royega. I love you both and I don’t want to take sides.’ We were stunned because he had completely figured it out.”
The Trekking Trip That Confirmed Everything
The moment that finally stripped away any pretence, according to Sonakshi, came during a trekking trip. Salman Khan walked up to Zaheer and said simply, “Dikh raha hai sab” — leaving both of them with nowhere left to hide. The candid remark made clear that their chemistry had been visible to him all along, even as they maintained their denials.
Seven Years of a Private Romance
Sonakshi and Zaheer first crossed paths at a party hosted by Salman Khan. They chose to keep their relationship away from the public eye for seven years, dating quietly before their bond became known. In 2022, the couple shared screen space in the film Double XL, their first professional collaboration. Sonakshi is the daughter of veteran actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha and Poonam Sinha.
A Quiet Wedding Under the Special Marriage Act
The couple formalised their relationship in June 2024, opting for a registered civil ceremony under the Special Marriage Act at Sonakshi’s residence in Mumbai. The low-key ceremony reflected the same preference for privacy that had defined their years-long courtship. The Double Date appearance marks one of the more open conversations the couple has had about the early days of their relationship.
Point of View
But it also underlines a dynamic that rarely gets discussed openly in Bollywood: the outsized role that a single patron figure can play in the personal lives of those in his orbit. Zaheer Iqbal is a Salman Khan protege; Sonakshi Sinha was launched by Khan in Dabangg. That both felt they needed to hide a relationship from him — and that his approval carried enough weight to make them nervous — says something about how mentorship and power intertwine in the industry. The couple's eventual quiet civil wedding under the Special Marriage Act was itself a statement of independence. The Double Date appearance, light-hearted as it is, closes a loop on a relationship that was shaped, knowingly or not, by one man's shadow.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Salman Khan find out about Zaheer Iqbal and Sonakshi Sinha's relationship?
Salman Khan reportedly pieced it together on his own, well before the couple told him. According to Sonakshi, he observed their chemistry and one day warned them directly about a potential breakup, stunning them with how much he had already figured out.
When did Zaheer Iqbal and Sonakshi Sinha get married?
The couple married in June 2024 in a quiet registered civil ceremony under the Special Marriage Act at Sonakshi's residence in Mumbai.
How long did Zaheer Iqbal and Sonakshi Sinha date before marriage?
They dated privately for approximately seven years after meeting at a party hosted by Salman Khan, before marrying in June 2024.
What is the chat show Double Date where the couple made this revelation?
Double Date is a chat show hosted by actors Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi , where celebrity couples appear as guests and discuss their relationships.
Did Zaheer Iqbal and Sonakshi Sinha work together in any film?
Yes, the couple co-starred in the 2022 film Double XL , which was their first on-screen collaboration during their seven-year relationship.
