Introduction

Salman Khan, the dashing ‘Dabang’ of Bollywood is one of the most searched celebrities in India. He is a Film actor, Television presenter, Model and Philanthropist. A Pathan from his father’s side, his mother Sushila Charak Khan, is a Maharastrian Hindu from Indore, Madhya Pradesh. His father is the legendary Salim Khan (one from the popular Salim-Javed Duo), who is credited with screenwriting blockbusters like Haathi Mere Saathi, Sholay, Don, and more. His stepmother is the legendary actress Helen.

Early life

Khan is the eldest son of screenwriter Salim Khan and his first wife Sushila Charak (later adopted the name Salma Khan). His paternal ancestors were Pashtun from Afghanistan who immigrated to Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Khan's mother is a Hindu, whose father Baldev Singh Charak comes from Jammu-Kashmir and mother comes from Maharashtra. Salman has stated that he is both Hindu and Muslim.

Khan's stepmother is Helen, a former actress, who co-starred with him in a few films. He has two brothers, Arbaaz Khan who is married to actress and VJ Malaika Arora Khan, and Sohail Khan; and two sisters, Alvira Khan Agnihotri who is married to actor/director Atul Agnihotri and an adopted sister Arpita Khan .

Salman finished his schooling at St. Stanislaus High School in Bandra, Mumbai, as did his younger brothers Arbaaz and Sohail. Earlier, he studied at The Scindia School, Gwalior for a few years along with younger brother Arbaaz. He attended Elphinstone College and dropped out after the second year.

Career

Salman Khan made his acting debut with a supporting role in the 1988 film Biwi Ho To Aisi in which his voice was dubbed by someone else. His first leading role in a Bollywood movie was in Sooraj R. Barjatya's romantic family drama Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), one of India's highest grossing films. It earned him his first nomination for a Best Actor at Filmfare, but the much expected Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut was awarded to Sooraj Barjatya.

Later Filmfare rectified their mistake by presenting the same award after 15 long years. Maine Pyar Kiya was later dubbed in English as When Love Calls, a 125-minute version, was the biggest hit in the Caribbean market at Guyana and also dominated the box-office collections in Trinidad and Tobago. Maine Pyar Kiya had also been dubbed in Spanish as Te Amo, the first experiment of its kind. This 125-minute film also proved its universal appeal with a glorious 10-week premiere run at Lima, capital of Peru. In Telugu as Prema Paavuraalu, it crossed 25 weeks at Visakhapatnam and had 100 plus day run at six centres in Andhra Pradesh. It was also dubbed in Tamil as Kaadhal Oru Kavithai and in Malayalam as Ina Praavukal.

1990 saw one film release starring Khan, Baaghi: A Rebel for Love, a box office success, followed by three moderately successful films in 1991, Patthar Ke Phool, Sanam Bewafa, and Kurbaan. In the same year, Khan co-starred with Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit in the Romance drama film Saajan.[40] The movie was a critical and financial success. Despite these early successes, nearly all of his 1992–1993 releases resulted in box office failures.

1994–2009: Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!! and other films

Khan returned to success in 1994 with his second collaboration with director Sooraj Barjatya in the romance Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! co-starring Madhuri Dixit. During the 1995 awards season, the film won 3 Filmfare Awards for the Best Film, Best Director and Best Actress. It also won the National Award for being the most popular film of the year. Earning over ₹1.35 billion (US$20 million) worldwide, the film became the biggest Bollywood hit of the year, as well as one of the biggest Bollywood hits ever. It is one of the films on Box Office India's list of "Biggest Blockbusters Ever in Hindi Cinema". This film was the biggest hit of that year, and turned out to be one of Bollywood's highest-grossing films ever, becoming the fourth-highest earner of all time. The film broke all the previous records and maintained itself as the highest-grossing Bollywood film throughout history for 7 years. In 1995 he starred in Rakesh Roshan's Karan Arjun alongside Shahrukh Khan, Karan Arjun is a mix of an upbeat Bollywood musical, religious overtones and an action movie. The film was released on 13 January 1995. The two played brothers who are reincarnated after being killed by family enemies. The film was the second biggest hit of the year, and his role of Karan once again put his name among the nominees for the Best Actor award for Filmfare Awards.

In 1996, Khan performed in two movies, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's directional debut Khamoshi: The Musical, a box office failure but critically acclaimed and Raj Kanwar's action hit Jeet. He had two releases in 1997: Judwaa and Auzaar. The former was a comedy directed by David Dhawan where he played a dual role of twins separated at birth was a commercial success while later, an action thriller was "below average".

Khan worked in five different films in 1998, his first release being the romantic comedy film Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya opposite Kajol, one of the biggest commercial successes of that year. This was followed by the moderately successful drama Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai where Khan played a young man who has to take a child who claims to be his son, under his custody. Khan's performance in the film earned him several positive notices and favourable reviews from critics. He rounded of the year with an extended cameo in Karan Johar's directorial debut, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai for which he earned a second Filmfare Award under the Best Supporting Actor category.

In 1999, Khan starred in three films: Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United and Biwi No.1, both were the highest grossing films that year and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam alongside Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgan, which earned another him Best Actor nomination at the Filmfare awards. The film was a critical and commercial success along with its music.

In 2000, Khan acted in films including Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega and Chori Chori Chupke Chupke, which addressed the issue of surrogate childbirth; Khan played the role of a rich industrialist, who hires a surrogate mother after his wife becomes infertile. Critics noted his turn towards a more serious role, which reportedly had more substance in comparison to his previous roles. In 2002 he starred in the delayed release Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam.

For Tere Naam, (2003) Taran Adarsh said of him, "Salman Khan is exceptional in a role that fits him to the T. He breathes fire in sequences that demand uneasiness. But beneath the tough exterior lies a vulnerable person and this facet in particular comes to the fore in the latter reels. His emotional outbursts are splendid..." Tere Naam is to date considered Salman Khan's best film with critically acclaimed performance. He subsequently continued his success at the box office, with comedies like Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and No Entry (2005). Khan's work in 2006 included Jaan-E-Mann and Baabul, however neither of these films were successful in the box office.

Khan started 2007 with the ensemble film Salaam E Ishq. His next release Partner did very well at the box office, receiving a blockbuster verdict. He next appeared in the Hollywood movie, Marigold: An Adventure in India which told the love story of an Indian man and an American woman. Khan starred in three films throughout 2008, all of which underperformed.

Khan hosted the second season of 10 Ka Dum in year 2009 which turned out to be even more successful than his first season as host of the game show in year 2008. The show got very high TRPs for Sony Entertainment Television and according to reports, the show helped Sony TV regain its third position in the Indian television ratings.

2009 marked a significant turning point in Khan's career. Starting with Wanted, directed by choreographer turned director Prabhu Deva became a box office success and earned superhit status. In the same year, he appeared in two other films, Main Aurr Mrs Khanna and London Dreams. London Dreams did average business due to the uninspiring music, but Main Aurr Mrs Khanna was a commercial failure. Khan's first release of 2010 was Anil Sharma's commercially and critically unsuccessful film Veer.

Khan in 2011

His next release, Dabangg was released on Eid, 10 September 2010. Khan played the role of a fearless cop with comic effect in the film. It opened to generally positive reviews and broke several box-office records upon release. The film set another box office record, grossing ₹808.7 million in its first week, thus becoming the highest opening week grossing Bollywood film, overtaking the previous record of 3 Idiots. Dabangg went on to gross ₹2.15 billion worldwide and Box office India declared it an all-time blockbuster in the second week of its release. It is the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2010 and, as of 2012, the fourth highest–grossing Bollywood film of all time. Dabangg went on to win several awards, including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. It was later remade in Tamil and Telugu, The film was produced by his brother Arbaaz Khan, and released on 10 September 2010. It made a record opening at the box office and Box Office India declared it an all-time blockbuster. Dabangg at that time was the second and now the fourth highest-grossing Bollywood film and for his performance, Khan received a Star Screen Award for Best Actor and a Stardust Award for Star of the Year – Male and was nominated for his sixth Filmfare Award for Best Actor. Anupama Chopra from NDTV wrote about his performance, "It's the role of a lifetime and Salman Khan bites into it like a starving man devours a feast. He inhabits it fully, strutting and swaggering and even, spoofing himself."

Khan's first release of 2011 was Ready. Upon release, Ready became the second highest opening day grosser, as well as the second highest weekend grossing Bollywood film at that time, after Dabangg. It also held records for being the second highest grossing Bollywood film of 2011. He next appeared in Bodyguard, a remake of the 2010 Malayalam film of the same name. The film was not well received by critics, though became a financial success, with a domestic total of 1,409.5 million (US$26 million)—India's highest-earning film of the year.

Salman Khan with Katrina Kaif at the launch of Ek Tha Tiger's first song 'Mashallah'.

Khan's first release of 2012 was Ek Tha Tiger where he starred opposite Katrina Kaif and act as Indian Spy. The film garnered positive to mixed reactions from critics whilst opening to extremely strong box office collections. The film went on to break the opening day box office record with a collection of ₹312.3 million (US$4.7 million) and became the second Bollywood film to gross over ₹3 billion (US$45 million) worldwide behind only 3 Idiots with an eventual gross of ₹3.1 billion (US$47 million). It marks his first association with Yash Raj Films. The film also broke the record of Opening weekend net gross (First 3 Days of Release), Opening week net gross (First 7 Days of Release) and entered 100 crore club in just 5 days of release breaking Salman Khan's own record set by Bodyguard in 7 Days.

Salman Khan's second release of 2012 is Dabangg 2 which is a sequel of his blockbuster Dabangg under production of Arbaaz Khan. Upon release, the film netted an excellent ₹192.1 million (US$2.9 million) on its opening day and became the biggest opener for a non-holiday Friday in India, beating the previous record held by Don 2. and collected ₹582.6 million (US$8.8 million), beating the previous three-day record set by Ek Tha Tiger. Dabangg 2 eventually emerged as a huge financial success with revenues of ₹2.5 billion (US$38 million) globally.

After year gap Khan's first release of 2014 was Jai Ho which he starred opposite Daisy Shah. After five consecutive blockbuster, his first film performed average at box office despite making over 100 crore in India. His second release Kick remake of Telugu film has entered the club of Rs. 200 crore in India on Eid . He also sang the "Hangover" song from the movie.

Khan's first film of 2015, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, released on Eid received positive reviews from critics and public and broke several box-office record upon release. The film It set all time weekend record to collected ₹1.02 billion (US$15 million) on its first weekend at domestic box office and became the eighth consecutive film of Salman Khan to gross over 100 crores. The film grossing ₹1.84 billion (US$28 million) on its first week beat previous record of PK. Khan's first and become a second Bollywood film after PK to enter 300 club. The film is currently second second highest-grossing Bollywood films in India and worldwide with collection of over 600 crore. Bajrangi Bhaijaan crossed 300 crore in 20 days of its release and became the second highest grosser till date in India.

Television

In 2008 Khan hosted 10 Ka Dum. The show was extremely popular and was at number one spot in ratings in India. It garnered an average TVR of 2.81 and a peak rating of 4.5, leaving behind Shahrukh Khan's Kya Aap Paanchvi Paas Se Tej hai? with an average rating of 1.37 TVR and a peak rating of 2.3 and Hrithik Roshan's Junoon — Kuch Kar Dikhane Ka on NDTV Imagine with an average TVR of 0.76 and a peak rating of 1.1 According to reports, the show helped Sony TV regain its third position in the Indian television ratings. He again hosted the show in 2009 and thus won the Best Anchor Award for 10 Ka Dum in 2008 and 2009. In 2010 Khan hosted Bigg Boss 4. The show was widely accepted and appreciated due to Khan's hosting and surpassing the famous hosting of Amitabh Bachchan. According to data available with aMap, a television viewership monitoring agency, the opening episode of Bigg Boss 4 on Colors got a rating of 3.6. Season 3 had average rating of 2.43 while Bigg Boss 1 and Bigg Boss 2 had average ratings of 1.96 and 2.03. While Bigg Boss 1 was anchored by Arshad Warsi, Shilpa Shetty hosted Bigg Boss 2 and Amitabh Bachchan for Bigg Boss 3. The Grand Finale episode on 8 January 2011, received a TRP of 6.7, which was the highest among the finale of other Indian reality shows such as Kaun Banega Crorepati, Rahul Dulhaniya Le Jayega, MasterChef and DID –Li’l Masters. Due to high TRP Salman Khan again hosted Bigg Boss 5 along with Sanjay Dutt in 2011 and because of huge acceptance also hosted Bigg Boss 6 and Bigg Boss 7 in 2012 and 2013 respectively. In 2013 Khan hosted the Star Guild Award for the first time. Khan also hosted Bigg Boss 8.

Singing

Salman Khan has also sung few songs like:

• Chaandhi Ki Daal Par Sone Ka Mor - Hello Brother (1999)

• Hangover - Kick (2014)

• Jumme Ki Raat - Kick (2014)

• Tu Hi Tu Har Jagah - Kick (2014)

• Main Hoon Hero Tera - Hero (2015)

Flavors of Music

Salman has a huge hit list of songs, ranging from Romantic Love Songs, Dance Item Numbers to Emotional Songs and classics, all are different shades of songs people remember from Sallu’s popular movies & love listening to them at all times.

Some of his popular Romantic Love Songs are Mere Rang Main Rangne Wali & Aaja Sham Hone Aayi; they had a delightful tune and struck a chord in who ever went to see Maine Pyar Kiya (the movie in which Salman’s boyish charm had a spellbinding effect), Saathiyan Ye Tune Kya Kia from Love (1991); Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai from Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1998), all sung by S. P. Balasubramaniam, Ankhon ki Gustakhiyan, sung by Hariharan & Kavita Krishnamoorthy & Chand Chupa Badal Main sung by Udit Narayan & Alka Yagnik from one of his biggest hits - Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999).

He has created a lot of buzz with dance numbers and his item songs are played by DJs in almost every party, some of his smash hits are Muni Badnam Huyi, Humka Peeni Hai Peeni Hai, Hud Hud Dabangg from Dabangg (2010) and few others like Fevicol Se from its sequel Dabangg 2 (2012), Character Dheela Hai from the film Ready (2011)

Some of his best songs are O O Jaane Janna (Sallu’s Shirtless effect and Kamaal Khan’s wizardry at work) from Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), Didi Tera Devar Deewana, Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai by Lata Mangeshkar & S. P. Balasubrahmanyam from Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994), Naina Bade Dagabaaz Re from Dabangg 2, sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and who can forget the distinctive notes from Dekha Hai Pehli Baar (The great S. P. Balasubrahmanyam and Alka Yagnik duo) from the movie Saajan (1991)?

In fact, the soundtracks from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Movie & Tere Naam (where Udit Narayan really spins his magic) are still hot selling albums. Nowadays of course, songs like Munni Badnam Huyi & Dhinka Chika from Dabangg (2010), Character dheela hai from Ready (2011), Fevicol se & Pandey Ji seeti from Dabangg 2 (2012); are on everybody’s lips….listen on.

As a complete entertainer the tough guy also plays the soft side extremely well with many intense sad songs. "My Love Meri Priyatama" from Love (1991) sung by S.P. Balasubrahmanyam, K.S. Chitra and"Tadap Tadap Ke" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) sung straight from the heart by by K.K., made millions of hearts cry. His other emotional songs include Tu Ne Saath Jo Mera Choda & Kyun Kisi Ko Wafa Ke Badle from Tere Naam (2003), Kyon Ki Itna Pyar Tumko Karte Hain Ham from Kyun Ki (2005) by Udit Narayan – Alka Yagnik. Tu Bula Le Bula Le from Saawan (2006) and Sau dard hain from Jaan-e-Mann (2006) both sung by Sonu Nigam were immersed in pain that could touch the souls of music lovers.

Controversies

Somehow Sallu is always embroiled in controversies In March 2002, he had an ugly breakup with Aishwarya Rai and her family filed a police complaint against him for harassing her. Later in September in the same year, he was charged for a Hit and run case killing one and injuring four others wherein he was arrested by the Mumbai Police for negligent driving and a case of culpable homicide was lodged against him. In February 2006, Salman Khan was convicted for poaching a Chinkara during the making of the movie Hum Saath Saath Hain in September 1998 at Bhawad near Jodhpur. He raised the ire of many politicians when he gave a statement to a Pakistani channel that only the elite were targeted in 26/11 attacks and Pakistan should not be blamed for it as it was the Indian security personnel who had failed. Of course, he had to apologize later.

Flings, Affairs, Relationships

Although he is still a very eligible bachelor, he dated bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai from 1999 to 2001. This affair was much publicized by the media, wherein Aishwarya claimed that Salman was unable to come to terms with the breakup. Later on, he dated Katrina Kaif for several years, which ended in 2010. In the December 2013 session of Koffee with Karan, Karan Johar asked Sallu his choice for marriage, naming three options; Sallu chose Preity Zinta. Apart from the above his much talked about affairs have been said to be with Sangeeta Bijlani, Somy Ali, Zareen Khan and many more.

10 Interesting facts about Salman Khan

1. His favorite actors are Sylvester Stallone & Hema Malini.

2. He loves travelling to London.

3. He owns a fleet of cars and is fond of driving BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Land Cruisers.

4. Salman loves Chinese food and China Garden in Mumbai is said to be his favorite dine out.

5. He mostly prefers dressing in those ‘501’ jeans and he always wears a turquoise stone bracelet on and off the screen.

6. The actor is fond of stacking a variety of soaps in his bathroom at home, especially soaps with natural fruit and vegetable extracts.

7. He runs a charity named Being Human.

8. He has wax statues in Madame Tussauds Museum at London and New York

9. He could have become a professional swimmer. He was a swim champ at school and was even considered to represent India for swim meets.

10. Apart from acting he has also experimented with his other talents in Bollywood: Writer in Baaghi: A Rebel for Love, Chandra Mukhi and Veer; Producer in Chillar Party, Hero and Dr Cabbie; Singer in Hello Brother, Chal Mere Bhai, Yuvaraj, Pyar Ka Game, Wanted and Bodyguard.