Salman Khan is a self-made man

by: Swedha Jalan
28 Aug 2009


Born to the veteran script writer, Salim Khan, Salman Khan entered Bollywood in the year 1988. Despite the fact that he was born as a star kid, he never misused his connections.

He struggled like a regular struggler and auditioned like everyone else. Today he is a superstar and the entire credit goes to him. He, made his acting debut with the film Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988), had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), and won a Filmfare Best Male Debut Award for his performance. He went on to star in some of Bollywood's most successful films, such as Saajan (1991), Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994), Biwi No.1 (1999), having appeared in the highest earning films for five separate years during his career. In 1999, Khan won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for his extended appearance in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), and since then has starred in several critical and commercial successes. Khan has thus established himself as one of the most prominent leading actors of Hindi cinema.

The name Salman Khan sparks several images: his reluctance to wear shirts, his sculpted chest, his frequent run-ins with the law, his gorgeous ex-girlfriends, his good looks (voted by People magazine in 2004 as the 7th most good looking man in the world and the first in India) and his unquestionable status as one of three reigning Khans of Bollywood.

Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan was born on 27th December 1965 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh to Salma Khan and Salim Khan, a screenwriter who has to his credit several successful films like Sholay, Deewar and Don. His step-mother is Helen, an actress and dancer famous for her blonde wigs and shimmies. He has two brothers Arbaaz and Sahil, who have also worked in Bollywood and two sisters Alvira and Arpita. His sister Alvira is married to Atul Agnihotri who was an actor before taking on the role of a director. Salman has dated some of the prettiest faces of Bollywood like Somy Ali, Sangeeta Bijlani and Aishwarya Rai. His current partner is Katrina Kaif.


Prem of Bollywood, Salman Khan cannot be blamed for being stereotypical. Whenever public has made an image about him, he has broken it and has come up with something new. He showed his intense side when public wanted to tag him as a chocolate hero and he showed his comic timing when public wanted to categorize him in serious roles. He always surprised the audience by the range of roles that he has done so far. He is a complete entertainment package and mostly the USP of all his films. His versatility, uniqueness and vibrancy have made him, one of the most demanded actors of Bollywood.


Sooraj Barjatya and Sanjay Leela Bhansali were nobodies; nothing till Salman Khan agreed to work in their first movies which helped them show-case their talent. He helped them jump start their careers without tumbling over speed breakers. Himesh Reshammiya was nobody till Salman gave him an opportunity in his movies: Bandhan, Hello Brother etc.

The milestone of Indian film fraternity, Salman Khan faced tremendous destitution in his growing days. Lack of help and support made him what he is today. The industry calls him a man with a golden heart. He is a man in real sense. Be it actors, directors or singers, he has given a chance to all. However, Salman lives his life on his own term. He does what he likes and helps who influence him. So, if newcomers' want to enter Bollywood, they know whom to approach!

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