Some call him 'enfant terrible', 'box-office juggernaut' and 'Sly Stallone of Bollywood', while others deploy epithets like 'munificent', 'unpretentious' and 'destiny's child' to describe him. Salman Khan is one of the most successful actors, and compelling characters, Bollywood has ever seen. The fact that he is ruling the roost from the last 24 years is a trenchant testament of his longevity, colossal stardom and unswerving popularity.
There was a time when the Khan trinity was led by Shah Rukh Khan but last two years have made Salman Khan the undisputed king of Bollywood. Every film is increasing his lead over the others, which Salman celebrates with more colourful statements in media. The recent was when he said that he will marry after the Jodhpur and Mumbai courts' verdicts, isn't it obvious what he meant!
In the current scenario, he's hailed as a man with the Midas touch. All of his last five movies - Dabangg, Ready, Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger and Dabanng 2 - have been monumental blockbusters raking in moolah in spades. He has delivered the biggest hits of last three years - Dabangg (145 crore, 2010), Bodyguard (150 crore, 2011) and Ek Tha Tiger (199.3 crore, 2012) - and this unprecedented success has propelled him in a league of his own where is way ahead of his contemporaries. He's competing with himself at the box-office, defying all the tenets of cinema and shaterring his own records.
More than the phenomenal success of his movies, it's his maddening fame among all quarters of the audience which is astonishing. His name evokes untramelled euphoria and mass hysteria. People go berserk to catch a glimpse of his and flock to theatres just to watch their 'Bhai' pulling off stunning action sequences, pummeling baddies with uninhibited belligerence, mouthing zany one-liners with charismatic ease, and romancing the heroine with sprightly nonchalance. He becomes larger than the movie and all the other finer nuances like screenplay, rationale and coherence are reduced to being periphery. His dazzling screen presence and unmatched charisma take over the movie, and conveniently camouflage all the loopholes. Critics may crib about the quality of his movies but his every dialogue and distinct dance move is widely emulated and become national rage.
Here's some interesting trivia of Bollywood's favorite bad boy - undisputed champ: Salman khan:
- Salman Khan is Son of Writer/ Director Salim Khan. Salim Khan has written some of the biggest Bollywood box office hits of the 70's and 80's.
- In his early days as a struggling actor he never used his father's name and influence like many other heroes with relatives in the industry. He used to visit producers on his own and audition for roles.
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| Father Salim Khan and Salman Khan |
- People magazine ( India) named Salman Khan as the sexiest man alive.
- Was voted 7th best-looking man in the world by People Magazine.
- Highest paid Bollywood Star.
- Holds the record for having the highest grossing film of the year 8 times, a feat no other actor has yet achieved.
- He is the only actor to have had four back to back 100 crore plus films. Dabangg (2010), Ready (2011), Bodyguard (2011) and Ek Tha Tiger (2012). His film Wanted (2009) grossed around 100 Crore plus at the Indian Box Office and even did great business at the International Box Office.
- Madame Tussauds created a wax replica of Salman Khan in 2011.
- Was the first Bollywood Star to work in the Hollywood film industry and his debut film was Marigold: An Adventure In India.
- Turned down a part in Baywatch
- Good friends with Hollywood Icon Sylvester Stallone
- Known to be a philanthropist - Being Human
Khan has been involved in several charities during his career.He has started an NGO called Being Human which will sell T-shirts and other products online and in stores. A portion of the sales will go to a worthy cause supporting the underprivileged. Being Human Foundation is a registered charitable trust set up by Salman Khan for helping the cause of the underprivileged. In its early days, Salman Khan set up and funded the Foundation using his own money. The Foundation has two focus areas: Education and Healthcare. To increase the reach and corpus of the Foundation, Salman Khan has undertaken initiatives such as Being Human Art; Being Human merchandise; and Being Human Gitanjali Gold Coins.
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| Salman and Friend / Fellow Actor Aamir Khan donating blood. |
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| Khan with Sisters and Parents |
His golden run at the box-office started with Dabangg in 2010 and he pushed the envelope with his every subsequent movie. His flicks like Wanted (2009) and Dabangg (2010) gave a new lease of life to single screen theaters, which were on the cusp of becoming obsolete, and brought back the masala potboilers in vogue. The post-Dabangg phase is deemed as the best in Salman's illustrious career. Though he has been a superstar ever since the release of Maine Pyaar Kiya (1989), and has belted out some of the biggest blockbusters in last 25 years, an aura of glorious invincibility eluded him for a variety of reasons.
There's no denying the fact that his personal and professional life have turned over a new leaf in last four years. Earlier the spate of hits were followd by a few bummers which would neutralize his success. His long list of controversies and abrasive equation with the media the didn't help matters either. Despite his movies becoming massive hits, he was more in the news for unwarranted reasons rather than his professional attainments. Discretion, discipline and diplomacy were never his watchwords. Media had a field day writing reams about his infamous affair and spats while calling him names.
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| Fans standing in front of Khan's residence to wish him a happy birthday. |
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| Khan waving to his fans |
When one looks back at Salman's career, it is amazing to see what he has achieved despite so many factors stacked against him. Though he's a fine actors who has toyed with variety of genres - romantic, comedy and action - with eximious success, his acting finesse is not in the league of great actors. He weathered an avalanche of controversies and lull patches with implacable resolve and always emerged stronger than before. His pluck and chivalry are well-documented and helped him to see through the rough phases. Despite making several awful career choices, his fame, inexplicably, didn't falter. His connect with the audience has always remained intact. Perhaps, everyone sees himself/herself in him - a mischievous kid who is innocent and kind at heart but refuses to grow up.
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| Fan / Up and coming Actor Omar Khan |
One of Salman Khan's biggest Fan, Omar Khan from New York talks about his hero / idol:
At 47, he remains India's most eligible bachelor, most successful superstar and the biggest brand. He has attained everything working on his on terms and conditions without compromising on his principles. He is an entertainer in its truest sense whose enigma lies in his loyal fans
Here at Film Junkeez, we wish Salman Khan a very happy birthday!
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