One of the biggest superstars of Indian cinema, Salman Khan is an actor, writer, film producer, television personality, philanthropist, and painter. Known for his charismatic screen presence and mass appeal, he has become one of the most successful and influential actors in the history of Indian cinema.
Early Life
Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan was born on December 27, 1965, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to the legendary screenwriter Salim Khan and his first wife, Sushila Charak (Salma). He has two brothers, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, and two sisters, Alvira Khan Agnihotri and Arpita Khan Sharma.
Khan attended St. Stanislaus High School in Mumbai and later studied at St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, but he did not complete his degree. His early interest in acting led him to pursue a career in the film industry.
Debut and Stardom
Salman started his career as a model for brands like Lakhani and Limca. He also worked as an assistant director for Shashilal Nair in the 1988 film “Falak.” Salman Khan made his acting debut in 1988 with a supporting role in Rajshri Productions’ “Biwi Ho To Aisi.” However, his breakthrough came with the lead role in Sooraj Barjatya’s romantic drama “Maine Pyar Kiya” (1989), which became one of the highest-grossing films of the year and earned him the Filmfare Award for best male debut. In Maine Pyar Kiya, he played the role of a loveable young boy, Prem, who falls in love with a girl from a different social background, opposite newcomer Bhagyashree.
After a super successful debut, Salman starred in and wrote “Baaghi,” opposite Nagma, in 1990, his sole release of the year. In the film, he played a young man, Saajan, who falls in love with a prostitute and fights for her rescue from the people who forced her into prostitution.
He then starred in successful films like Sanam Bewafa (1991), Saajan (1991), and Kurbaan (1991), which established him as a lover boy and got him a loyal fan base among girls. Despite these initial successes, most of his subsequent films, like “Patthar Ke Phool,” “Suryavanshi,” “Jaagruti,” “Nishchaiy,” “Ek Ladka Ek Ladki,” “Chandra Mukhi,” and “Dil Tera Aashiq,” did not do well at the box office.
One of his most memorable films of this period was “Love,” with Revathi, which is widely considered his most impressive performance to date. The film was not successful at the box office but gained appreciation over the years for its subject, performances, and classic song “Sathiya Tune kya Kiya.”
Lean Phase and Occasional Success
In 1994, he starred in Sooraj Barjatya’s family musical “Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!” opposite Madhuri Dixit. The film he played Prem, a loving and carefree younger son of the family. The film became one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time. He again tasted success with Rakesh Roshan’s “Karan Arjun” in 1995. The film was one of the biggest hits of that year.
It was a tough time for Khan, despite giving multiple hits over the years, Khan struggled for consistency. It was the time when even his good films did not do well which include Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Veergati (1994), and Khamoshi: The Musical (19964). He even played second lead to Sunny Deol in the 1997 film “Jeet.”
Comback
In 1997, he collaborated with David Dhawan for Judwan,” opposite Karishma Kapoor and Rambha. The film, based on Jackie Chan’s Twin Dragons (1992), featured him in a double role. From the film, Khan found his strength in pulling off a comic role with great ease. In next few years he gave many memorable romantic comedies like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998), Biwi No. 1 (1999), Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000), Chal Mere Bhai (2000), and many more.
In 1999, Sanjay Leela Bhansali cast him as the doomed lover in “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,” opposite Aishwarya Rai. The film featured him as Sameer, a man who falls in love with the daughter of his guru. For his performance in the film Khan gets a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor.
After a series of not-so-successful films and considerable personal troubles, he again reinvented himself. He made strong comback with “Tere Naam (2003),” a tragic lovestory opposite Bhumika Chawla. He played the role of Radhe, a troubled young man who falls in love with a simple girl and subsequently loses his mind. The tragic film was a critical and commercial success and is considered one of his best performances.
He then acted in successful films like Baghban (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Phir Milenge (2004), Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005), No Entry (2005), and Partner (2007). He also gave duds like Jaan-E-Mann (2006), Salaam-e-Ishq (2007), Marigold (2007), Saawariya (2007), God Tussi Great Ho (2008), Yuvvraaj (2008), Main Aurr Mrs Khanna (2009), London Dreams (2009), and Veer (2010).
Salman Khan The Superstar
In 2009, with “Wanted,” directed by Prabhu Deva, a new phase begins in his life, the phase of his never-before-seen stardom and charisma. In the film Khan played Radhe, an undercover cop opposite Ayesha Takia. It was a major hit and marked the resurgence of Khan’s career.
In the 2010 film “Dabangg,” he played the role of Chulbul Pandey, a fearless and corrupt police officer. The blockbuster film, went on to win the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. In 2012 he played Tiger, a RAW agent, in the action thriller “Ek Tha Tiger” with Katrina Kaif. The film went on to become one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of all time. He reprized his role of Tiger in later films: Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), Pathaan (2023), and Tiger 3 (2023).
He continued his successful run with blockbusters like Ready (2011), Bodyguard (2011), Dabangg 2 (2012), Kick (2014), and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015).
“Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015),” directed by Kabir Khan, saw him in the role of Pavan. The film tells the story of Pavan’s determination to helps a mute Pakistani girl rto eunite with her family. The film was big critically and comercial success. For the film Khan gets the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment.
One of his most acclaimed performances came in the sports drama “Sultan (2016). In the film he played the role of Sultan Ali Khan, a wrestler who makes a comeback to the sport in his middle age. The film was a major hit and earned Khan a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor.
Later Career
Salman produced children’s film Chillar Party (2011), directed by Vikas Bahl and Nitesh Tiwari. The film went on to win 3 National Awards for Best Children’s Film, Best Original Screenplay and Best Child Artist. He launched his production house SKF (Salman Khan Films) in 2014. Some of his other notable films in this period include Jai Ho (2014), Tubelight (2017), Bharat (2019), Radhe (2021), Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023), and many more.
In addition to his film career, Salman Khan has made significant contributions to Indian television. He made his television debut as the host of the game show “10 Ka Dum” in 2008. Since 2010, he has been hosting the popular reality show “Bigg Boss,” to great success.
Personal Life
Salman Khan is also known for his philanthropic efforts. He founded the Being Human Foundation, a charitable organisation that focuses on education and healthcare for the underprivileged. The foundation has undertaken numerous initiatives to improve the lives of those in need.
Khan’s off-screen life has been marred by controversies and legal troubles. In 2015, he was convicted of culpable homicide for a negligent driving case in which he ran over five people with his car, killing one. However, his conviction was set aside on appeal. In 2018, Khan gets a conviction in the blackbuck poaching case and sentenced to five years of imprisonment. He is currently out on bail while an appeal is being heard.
Despite being involved in many controversies over the years, he remains a beloved character for most of his peers and fans. He is known for going out of his way to help people in need.
The life of Salman teaches us that in the real world, life is not black and white; it has many shades. The people make mistakes and do bad things, but the same people are capable of great things. People can change for good and also help create a better world too.
As fans, we want our actors and heroes to be saints and otherworldly entities, which led to unreal experiences from them. We should treat them like human beings capable of both good and bad; we should have the courage to call out both.
Salman Khan on IMDB
