Why is Salman Khan still single? Dad Salim Khan has the answer to the question that has vexed so many of his fans -- 'mama's boy' Salman, he says, can't fix on a girl because he mostly falls for actresses who can't pamper him like his mother.

"There's a contradiction in Salman's character. He gets attracted to women from his industry only... his co-stars become his love interests. Once a relationship is established, he starts looking for his mom in them. Now that is not possible, " Salim told trade analyst Komal Nahta on ETC's show Bollywood Business.

"A woman who has just started her career can't be doing stuff like preparing meals, washing clothes, preparing kids and yet lead the hectic life of a movie star! This expectation can't be met by a woman who has just started her film career...not even if she tries, " reasoned the 74-year-old, who made a rocking scriptwriting team with Javed Akhtar.

Salman, 44, who is Salim's eldest son, has been involved with actresses like Somy Ali, Sangeeta Bijlani and Aishwarya Rai.

The 44-year-old is said to have split from his latest girlfriend, actress Katrina Kaif.

Salim dodged the question, saying: "I can't say if Katrina is in Salman's life... If a marriage decision stretches for so long, it usually does not happen. It means that the person is not 100 percent sure to get into it...that's why the delay."

According to Salim, who is credited for scripting films like "Seeta aur Geeta", "Zanjeer", "Deewaar", "Sholay" and "Trishul", Salman suffers heartbreaks because for most of his girls the prime motive is stardom.

"Whenever girls have come into Salman's life, they are looking to be a movie star. So settling down is the last thing on their minds. So the relationships reach a saturation point and then fizzle out."

Salim has two other sons - Arbaaz and Sohail, and a daughter, Alvira, from his first wife Salma. He later married Bollywood's cabaret queen Helen, and adopted a daughter named Arpita.

The episode featuring the writer in a candid mood will be on air on ETC Thursday.