Salman Khan takes off with family and friends to celebrate his birthday in the UAE

This year Goa is passe and Dubai is the new favourite celeb destination. A number of B-Town folk are in the desert emirate to celebrate Salman Khan's 45th birthday today.

Every year, the actor brings in his big day at their Panvel farmhouse but this year, the 'Khan'daan and 40 friends flew to Dubai for the merrymaking.

Says a source, "Salman didn't want to bring in his birthday at the farmhouse this time. Though it rocks for the guests, his family members end up playing hosts and don't enjoy themselves.

So he decided to have them party without the headache of taking care of everyone.

Dubai is almost like Salman's second home and it was an obvious decision. Initially he wanted to take all his pals and family on a friend's aircraft but it wasn't available so they travelled by Emirates."

Salman, his parents Salim and Salma besides Helen, his sisters Arpita, Alvira with husband Atul Agnihotri and brother Sohail with wife Seema and son Nirvaan left yesterday morning.

Pals make it special

Says a friend of Salman, "We have planned a special surprise for him on his birthday. Though he knows that we are all in Dubai, we want to make it very special for him this year."

Sajid Nadiadwala and his wife Wardha and David Dhawan flew out yesterday afternoon. The guests are all staying at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Dubai."

Salman is slated to be back in Mumbai on December 30 to shoot for Bigg Boss on December 31.

Munni back today

Though Malaika Arora Khan with hubby Arbaaz and son Arhaan left for Dubai on Sunday morning, she will back in Mumbai today due to work commitments. Arbaaz and Arhaan will stay back with the Khan-daan.

Katrina wishes Salman in advance

Katrina Kaif was not part of Salman Khan's entourage to Dubai to celebrate his birthday. But the actress was spotted late on Saturday night at the star's Bandra home.

When Kat arrived, Sallu was at the doorstep to receive her. Wishing him birthday in advance?

The actress seems to be bonding with her ex beau lately. She was seen last week at a trial show of Tees Maar Khan with Sallu's folks. She threw a big tantrum when she saw photographers at the event.

Some other actors took to micro-blogging site Twitter to wish Salman, who gave the highest grosser of 2010 with "Dabangg":

Sonakshi Sinha- Chulbul Pandey/Robinhood Pandey/Salman Khan ko janamdin ki shubhkamnayein (Wishing Salman a very happy birthday)! Pretty sure he is bringing the house down in Dubai!

Preity Zinta - Hey Salman! Wish you a very happy birthday and may all things wonderful big and small always come your way! Lots of love always.

Amrita Arora - Happpppy b'day Salman Bhai. Hope you have a superrrr year!

Sophie Choudhry - Wishing u a very very happy b'day! May the year ahead be filled with happiness, good times & blockbusters! Lots of love!

Riteish Deshmukh - Wishing Salman Khan a very happy birthday.

Even Salman's brother Arbaaz wished him on the social-networking site.

Arbaaz Khan: Happy birthday Salman bhai. Have a great day and a 'Dabangg' year ahead. We all love you.