Salman Khan is a highly successful Indian actor, film producer, and television personality known for his work in Hindi films. With a career spanning over 30 years, he has earned numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards as a producer and two Filmfare Awards as an actor. Khan is widely recognized as one of the most commercially successful actors in Indian cinema, consistently starring in top-grossing films. His prominence in the industry is further evidenced by his inclusion in Forbes' listings of the highest-paid celebrities worldwide.
Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan, the eldest son of screenwriter Salim Khan and his first wife Sushila Charak (who later adopted the name Salma), was born on December 27, 1965.
Salman Khan was born in December 1965. He is one of the most commercially successful actors of Indian cinema.
Salman Khan's parents divorced, and his father, Salim, married actress Helen in 1981. This event reportedly led to a strained relationship between Salim and his children, which took several years to recover.
Salman Khan began his acting career in 1988 with a supporting role in the film 'Biwi Ho To Aisi'.
Salman Khan made his acting debut with a supporting role in the 1988 film 'Biwi Ho To Aisi'.
Salman Khan had his breakthrough in 1989 with his first leading role in 'Maine Pyar Kiya,' a romantic drama directed by Sooraj Barjatya.
Salman Khan landed his first lead role in Sooraj R. Barjatya's romantic family drama 'Maine Pyar Kiya' in 1989, which became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of its time and earned him his first Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor.
Salman Khan starred in 'Baaghi' in 1990, which became a box office success.
Salman Khan experienced a series of box office failures in 1991 with the films 'Patthar Ke Phool,' 'Love,' and 'Kurbaan.' Despite these setbacks, he co-starred with Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit in the romantic drama 'Saajan' that same year.
In 1992, Salman Khan appeared in four films: 'Suryavanshi,' 'Jaagruti,' 'Nishchaiy,' and 'Ek Ladka Ek Ladki.' However, none of these films performed well at the box office.
In 1994, Salman Khan starred in Rajkumar Santoshi's 'Andaz Apna Apna,' which gained a cult following. He also starred in Sooraj Barjatya's 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!', which became the biggest Bollywood hit of the year and the highest-grossing Indian film up to that point.
Khan further solidified his place in the industry in 1994 with the commercially successful family drama 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!', directed by Sooraj Barjatya.
Salman Khan starred alongside Shah Rukh Khan in Rakesh Roshan's 'Karan Arjun' in 1995, playing one of two brothers who are reincarnated. His performance earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Best Actor Award.
Salman Khan starred in the action film 'Karan Arjun' in 1995, further cementing his versatility as an actor.
In 1996, Salman Khan starred in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's directorial debut, 'Khamoshi: The Musical,' and also appeared in Raj Kanwar's action hit 'Jeet.'
Salman Khan starred in two films in 1997: 'Judwaa' and 'Auzaar.' 'Judwaa,' directed by David Dhawan, featured Khan in a dual role as twins separated at birth.
Salman Khan starred in five films in 1998, including the romantic comedy 'Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya,' which was one of the year's biggest commercial successes. He also received critical acclaim for his performance in 'Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai' and won his first Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his extended cameo in Karan Johar's directorial debut 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai'.
Salman Khan, along with other actors, was accused of killing a blackbuck, an endangered species, while filming the movie Hum Saath-Saath Hain near Jodhpur in 1998.
In 1999, Salman Khan starred in three films, including 'Hum Saath-Saath Hain' and 'Biwi No.1.' His performance in 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,' alongside Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgan, earned him a Best Actor nomination at the Filmfare Awards and garnered positive reviews for his acting.
In 1999, Salman Khan starred in two commercially successful films: Barjatya's family drama 'Hum Saath-Saath Hain' and the comedy 'Biwi No.1'.
Salman Khan's personal life became a subject of public interest in 1999 when he began dating Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai. Their relationship garnered significant media attention and continued for several years.
After being a prominent topic in the media for a couple of years, Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai's relationship ended in 2001.
Salman Khan starred in 'Chori Chori Chupke Chupke' in 2001, a film that tackled the topic of surrogate childbirth. He played a wealthy industrialist who hires a surrogate mother.
The alleged phone call recording, which surfaced in 2005, was purportedly made in 2001, where Salman Khan allegedly threatened Aishwarya Rai to attend social events hosted by Mumbai crime figures.
After his break-up with actress Aishwarya Rai in March 2002, Salman Khan was accused of harassment by Rai, who claimed he was hounding her. Her parents filed a complaint against him.
Salman Khan was arrested on September 28, 2002, for rash and negligent driving after his car hit a bakery in Mumbai, resulting in the death of one person and injuries to three others.
Before his significant rise in the film industry, Salman Khan had already been associated with brands like Campa Cola, Limca, Hero Honda, and Double Bull. In 2002, he secured a major endorsement deal with the soft drink brand Thums Up, which he continued until the contract's completion.
Salman Khan starred in the film 'Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam' in 2002.
In 2003, actor Vivek Oberoi, who was dating Aishwarya Rai at the time, accused Salman Khan of threatening him.
Salman Khan received critical acclaim for his performance in the 2003 film 'Tere Naam.' His portrayal of a man deeply in love was considered intense and unconventional by critics and director Satish Kaushik.
Salman Khan obtained a driving license in 2004, as confirmed by an RTO officer during the hit-and-run case proceedings.
Salman Khan continued his career progression with comedies like 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi' in 2004.
People Magazine of the USA ranked Salman Khan as the 7th Best looking man in the world in 2004.
News outlets released what was purported to be an illicit recording of a 2001 mobile phone call by Salman Khan in 2005, where he allegedly threatened Aishwarya Rai. The tape was later deemed fake by a government forensic lab.
Salman Khan starred in the ensemble comedy 'No Entry' in 2005.
Salman Khan was sentenced to one year in prison on February 17, 2006, for hunting Chinkara, an endangered species. However, the sentence was stayed by a higher court pending appeal.
Salman Khan received a five-year jail term on April 10, 2006, and was sent to Jodhpur jail. However, he was granted bail on April 13.
By 2006, 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!' was still the fourth-highest-grossing Bollywood film ever.
Salman Khan starred in "Wanted," a remake of the 2006 Telugu film "Pokiri," directed by Prabhu Deva. The film received mixed reviews.
The Telugu film "Stalin," which "Jai Ho" is a remake of, was originally released in 2006.
In 2007, Salman Khan spent a week in Jodhpur jail before being granted bail in the blackbuck poaching case.
Salman Khan started 2007 with the ensemble film 'Salaam-e-Ishq' and made his Hollywood debut in 'Marigold,' a love story with American actress Ali Larter.
In 2008, "10 Ka Dum" earned high target rating points (TRPs) for Sony Entertainment Television, helping it regain its third position in Indian television ratings.
Salman Khan ventured into television hosting in 2008 with the game show "10 Ka Dum." The show achieved immense popularity, securing the top spot in Indian television ratings. Khan's hosting was lauded, with the show garnering high ratings and surpassing competitors hosted by Shahrukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan.
Salman Khan's global recognition grew in 2008 when a lifelike wax statue of him was installed in London's Madame Tussauds Museum.
The Telugu version of the film "Ready" was originally released in 2008.
Khan returned to host the second season of "10 Ka Dum" in 2009. The show maintained its popularity, and Khan's hosting continued to receive acclaim, earning him the Best Anchor Award for both the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Salman Khan hosted the second season of the game show "10 Ka Dum" in 2009.
In September 2010, Salman Khan drew criticism for his comments on the 26/11 Mumbai attacks during an interview. He suggested that the attacks received significant attention because they targeted "elite" locations like five-star hotels, implying that previous attacks in less affluent areas were disregarded. He also claimed that Indian security, not Pakistan, was to blame for the attacks. His statements were widely condemned by political figures, including Deputy Chief Minister Chagan Bhujbal, parties like Shiv Sena and BJP, and Special Prosecutor Ujwal Nikam. Khan later issued an apology for his remarks.
Salman Khan concluded his brand ambassador contract with the soft drink Mountain Dew in December 2010. He had previously endorsed Thums Up, which was later replaced by Akshay Kumar. Following the Mountain Dew contract, he briefly returned as the face of Thums Up before eventually becoming the brand ambassador for Pepsi.
Further solidifying his popularity, People Magazine, India declared Salman Khan as the Sexiest Man Alive in 2010.
In 2010, Salman Khan took on the role of host for the fourth season of the reality show "Bigg Boss." His hosting style was widely appreciated, contributing to the show's success and even surpassing the popularity of previous seasons hosted by Amitabh Bachchan.
Katrina Kaif revealed in 2011 that her relationship with Salman Khan ended in 2010, marking the conclusion of another high-profile relationship for the actor.
Salman Khan achieved greater stardom in the 2010s, beginning with his role in the top-grossing action film 'Dabangg'.
Salman Khan began hosting the reality show 'Bigg Boss' in 2010, expanding his career into television.
Salman Khan's first film release of 2010 was "Veer," directed by Anil Sharma.
Salman Khan's second release of 2010 was "Dabangg," where he played a fearless cop. The film was a commercial success despite its inanity and incoherent plot, largely attributed to Khan's star power.
The Malayalam version of the film "Bodyguard" was originally released in 2010.
The grand finale episode of "Bigg Boss 4" on January 8, 2011, achieved a remarkable TRP of 6.7, setting a new record among Indian reality show finales. Khan's successful hosting stint led him to host subsequent seasons of "Bigg Boss," including seasons 5, 6, and 7.
In a candid interview in August 2011, Salman Khan publicly revealed his diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia, a debilitating facial nerve disorder often referred to as the "suicide disease." He shared his seven-year struggle with the condition, highlighting the increasing intensity of the pain and its impact on his voice.
Salman Khan starred in "Ready," a remake of the 2008 Telugu film of the same name, which became the second highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2011. He also starred in "Bodyguard," a remake of the 2010 Malayalam film, which became India's highest-earning film of the year despite poor reviews.
Salman Khan founded his production company, SKBH Productions (Salman Khan Being Human Productions), in 2011. The company's mission was to combine film production with philanthropy, with profits channeled towards supporting the Being Human foundation.
Salman Khan launched his production company, SKBH Productions (Salman Khan Being Human Productions), in 2011. The company's first film, "Chillar Party," won three National Awards.
In 2011, actress Katrina Kaif, during an interview, publicly acknowledged her serious relationship with Salman Khan, which had been a subject of speculation for a considerable period. She revealed that the relationship spanned several years.
Salman Khan had two more top-grossing action films released in 2011: 'Ready' and 'Bodyguard'.
Salman Khan consistently ranked high in the Times of India's Most Desirable Man list, securing the 2nd position in 2011.
In a display of generosity, Salman Khan, through his NGO, offered to pay ₹4 million (US$74,853.66) in January 2012 to facilitate the release of approximately 400 prisoners from 63 prisons in Uttar Pradesh. These prisoners had completed their sentences but were unable to afford the legal fines associated with their charges.
On July 24, 2012, the Rajasthan High Court finalized charges against Salman Khan and his colleagues in the blackbuck killing case, paving the way for the trial.
Salman Khan made a substantial investment in real estate in 2012 by purchasing a commercial property located on Linking Road for an estimated 120 Crore Indian Rupees, demonstrating his business acumen beyond the entertainment industry.
Salman Khan starred in "Ek Tha Tiger" as an Indian spy opposite Katrina Kaif. The film, his first with Yash Raj Films, received positive reviews and had strong box office collections.
Salman Khan's association with "Bigg Boss" continued in 2012 as he returned to host the sixth season of the show.
Salman Khan's romantic life took a new turn in 2012 when he entered into a relationship with Romanian actress Iulia Vântur. This marked the beginning of a significant chapter in his personal life.
Continuing his successful streak in the action genre, Salman Khan starred in 'Ek Tha Tiger' and 'Dabangg 2' in 2012.
Salman Khan starred in "Dabangg 2," the sequel to "Dabangg," which was produced by his brother Arbaaz Khan. The film was a huge financial success, earning ₹2.5 billion (US$46.78 million) globally.
Adding to his international fame, in 2012, another wax statue of Salman Khan was installed at Madame Tussauds New York Museum.
On July 24, 2013, Salman Khan faced formal charges of culpable homicide related to the 2002 accident, to which he pleaded not guilty.
In August 2013, Salman Khan earned the distinction of being India's Most Searched Celebrity Online.
Khan's hosting duties extended beyond "Bigg Boss" in 2013 as he hosted the Star Guild Awards for the first time. Additionally, he continued his role as the host for the seventh season of "Bigg Boss."
The Supreme Court issued a notice to Salman Khan on July 9, 2014, regarding the Rajasthan government's plea challenging the High Court order suspending his conviction in the blackbuck poaching case.
In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiative for a cleaner India, Salman Khan was among the nine prominent figures invited to promote the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) during its launch on October 2, 2014.
In 2014, Salman Khan established a new production company named SKF (Salman Khan Films). The inaugural film released under this banner was the Canadian production "Dr. Cabbie." Following this, SKF released "Hero," featuring Suraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty, with Khan lending his voice to the title track. The company also released "Bajrangi Bhaijaan," directed by Kabir Khan and starring Khan alongside Kareena Kapoor and Nawazuddin Siddiqui.
Salman Khan starred in "Jai Ho," a remake of the 2006 Telugu film "Stalin," and "Kick," a remake of a Telugu film. "Kick" was a commercial success, entering the Rs. 2 billion club in India. Khan also sang the song "Hangover" for the film.
Salman Khan's action film 'Kick' became a box office success in 2014.
Salman Khan's star power was evident when he topped the Forbes India charts in 2014, based on fame and revenues.
On May 6, 2015, Salman Khan was found guilty on all charges related to the 2002 hit-and-run case. The Bombay Sessions Court convicted him for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, sentencing him to five years in prison. He was later granted bail by the Bombay High Court.
In July 2015, Salman Khan faced public disapproval for a series of tweets regarding Yakub Memon, who was convicted in the 1993 Bombay bombings case and on death row. Khan's tweets argued that Yakub's brother, Tiger Memon, should be executed instead and questioned if Pakistan's Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, could confirm Tiger's whereabouts. These tweets triggered protests outside Khan's residence, requiring police intervention, and sparked criticism on social media, including from his father, Salim Khan. Khan subsequently deleted the tweets and apologized.
Following the immense success of his film "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" in July 2015, Salman Khan, along with producer Rockline Venkatesh, pledged to donate the film's profits to impoverished farmers across India. This act of charity aimed to provide financial support and relief to the agricultural community.
Salman Khan's charisma earned him the title of "The Most Attractive Personality" in India by the International Business Times in September 2015.
In December 2015, Salman Khan was acquitted of all charges related to the 2002 hit-and-run case due to a lack of evidence.
Salman Khan starred in "Bajrangi Bhaijaan," which received critical and commercial success, breaking box office records. His second film of the year, "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo," received mixed reviews but was also a commercial success. These successes made Khan the only actor to have three consecutive films gross over ₹2 billion domestically.
Salman Khan was convicted of culpable homicide in a negligent driving case in 2015, but his conviction was later set aside on appeal.
Salman Khan's global influence reached new heights in 2015 when he was ranked 71st on Forbes' 'Celebrity 100 : The World's Top-Paid Entertainers 2015' list, making him the highest-ranked Indian with earnings of $33.5 million.
In 2015, Salman Khan was listed by Forbes as one of the highest-paid celebrities in the world.
In 2015, Salman Khan starred in the film Bajrangi Bhaijaan, which used his popular nickname, "Bhai", in the title.
In 2015, Salman Khan garnered critical acclaim for his performance in the drama 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan'.
Salman Khan was appointed as the Indian Olympic contingent's goodwill ambassador for the 2016 Summer Olympics by the Indian Olympic Association on April 24, 2016.
On July 5, 2016, the Supreme Court admitted a plea by the Maharashtra government challenging Salman Khan's acquittal in the hit-and-run case by the Bombay High Court.
Salman Khan was acquitted of all charges related to the blackbuck and chinkara poaching cases by the Rajasthan High Court on July 24, 2016.
The Rajasthan Government decided to challenge Salman Khan's acquittal in the blackbuck and chinkara poaching cases by approaching the Supreme Court on October 18, 2016.
Continuing his commitment to social causes, Salman Khan extended his support in 2016 to the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation's campaign for improved sanitation and the elimination of open defecation in Mumbai.
Salman Khan starred in "Sultan," directed by Ali Abbas Zafar, which received positive reviews and broke box office records. The film was a commercial success, becoming Khan's second film to net over 300 crores.
Salman Khan starred in another successful drama, 'Sultan,' in 2016.
A Jodhpur court acquitted Salman Khan on January 18, 2017, in an Arms Act case connected to the blackbuck killing. The court stated that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence against him.
Salman Khan starred in "Tubelight," his third collaboration with Kabir Khan, which also starred his brother Sohail Khan. The film did not do well at the box office despite high expectations.
Salman Khan's global stardom was cemented in August 2017 when Forbes India ranked him as the ninth highest-paid actor in the world and the highest-paid in India.
Salman Khan returned to his successful action franchise with 'Tiger Zinda Hai' in 2017.
Khan's Linking Road property was leased to Future Retail, owned by Kishore Biyani's Future Group, in 2017 to house their Food Hall establishment. The agreement stipulated a monthly rent of 80 Lakh Indian Rupees over five years. However, non-payment of dues resulted in a legal dispute that culminated in the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) ruling in favor of Salman Khan, showcasing his legal standing in property matters.
As of January 2018, "Tiger Zinda Hai," Salman Khan's second release of 2017, grossed ₹5.52 billion (US$84.76 million) worldwide.
In April 2018, Salman Khan was convicted in a blackbuck poaching case and received a five-year prison sentence, but he was released on bail pending an appeal.
Salman Khan was convicted in the blackbuck poaching case by the Jodhpur court on April 5, 2018, and sentenced to five years in prison. His co-stars in the case were acquitted.
After his conviction in the blackbuck poaching case, Salman Khan was released on bail on April 7, 2018, while his appeal was pending.
Salman Khan was featured again on the Forbes list of highest-paid celebrities in 2018, becoming the highest-ranked Indian that year.
Salman Khan starred in "Race 3," an action film that received negative reviews for its storyline and performances. Box Office India declared it an "average" grosser.
Salman Khan starred in "Bharat," which released on 5 June 2019, and was a moderate hit.
Salman Khan starred in "Dabangg 3," which released on 20 December 2019, and flopped commercially.
Salman Khan starred in "Radhe," which was released on 13 May 2021 and received negative reviews.
In 2023, Salman Khan further solidified the use of his nickname, "Bhaijaan", in the title of his film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.
In 2023, Salman Khan's Linking Road property welcomed a new tenant, Food Square, a luxury gourmet retail brand founded by Lalit Jhawar and Mayank Gupta. The property now generates a monthly rental income of 1 Crore Indian Rupees, marking a significant increase from the previous lease.
Salman Khan made a cameo appearance as Tiger in "Pathaan." He also starred in "Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan," a remake of "Veeram," which received mixed reviews. He then reprised his role as Tiger in "Tiger 3," part of the YRF Spy Universe. Despite grossing over ₹466.63 crore worldwide, it was considered a box office disappointment.
Salman Khan's successful action franchise continued with the release of 'Tiger 3' in 2023.
Two members of the Bishnoi Gang, a group that considers the blackbuck sacred, fired shots at Salman Khan's apartment in Bandra, Mumbai, on April 14, 2024. Khan was unharmed. The gunmen were apprehended later, and police believed the attack was orchestrated by Amnol Bishnoi, seeking revenge for the blackbuck hunting incident.