Salman Khan

Salman Khan
Born	27 December 1965
Birth place	Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
Occupation	Actor, film producer, television personality
Years active	1988–present
Nationality	Indian

Salman Khan (Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan, born 27 December 1965) is an Indian actor, film producer, and television personality who predominantly works in Hindi films. In a career spanning over three decades, his awards include two National Film Awards as a film producer, and two Filmfare Awards as an actor. He has been cited in the media as one of the most popular and commercially successful actors of Indian cinema. Forbes included him in listings of the highest-paid celebrities in the world, in 2015 and 2018. He has starred in the annual highest-grossing Hindi films of 10 individual years, the highest for any actor.

Khan began his acting career with a supporting role in Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988), followed by his breakthrough with a leading role in Sooraj Barjatya's romantic drama Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), for which he was awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He established himself with several commercially successful films, including Lawrence D'Souza's romantic drama Saajan (1991), Barjatya's family dramas Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) and Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999), the action film Karan Arjun (1995) and the comedy Biwi No.1 (1999). After a period of mixed success in the 2000s, Khan resurrected his screen image with the action film Wanted (2009), and achieved greater stardom the following decade by starring in the top-grossing action films Dabangg (2010), Ready (2011), Bodyguard (2011), Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Dabangg 2 (2012), Kick (2014), and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017), and the dramas Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) and Sultan (2016). This was followed by a series of poorly received films which either failed or underperformed at the box office, with the exception of Bharat (2019) and Tiger 3 (2023).

Early life and ancestry

Khan, born as Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan, is the eldest son of screenwriter Salim Khan and his first wife Sushila Charak (later Salma). Born to a Muslim father and Hindu mother on 27 December 1965, he was brought up in both faiths. In 1981, when Salim married the actress Helen, the children's relationship with their father grew hostile and only recovered years later.

His paternal ancestors are Pashtuns believed to have immigrated to Indore in the mid-1800s; biographer Jasim Khan writes they belonged to the Akuzai sub-tribe of the Yusufzai Pashtuns from present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. His grandfather Abdul Rashid Khan was a Deputy Inspector General of the Indore state and a recipient of the Diler Jung award. His mother is of Dogra Rajput and Maratha ancestry. Khan speaks Hindi, English and Marathi. He has two brothers, Arbaaz and Sohail; two sisters, Alvira (married to Atul Agnihotri) and an adopted sister Arpita (married to Aayush Sharma).

Khan studied at St. Stanislaus High School, Bandra, Mumbai, after attending The Scindia School in Gwalior. He later enrolled at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai, but dropped out.

Career

1988–1993: Debut and breakthrough

He debuted with a supporting role in Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988). His breakthrough came with Sooraj Barjatya's Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), an all-time blockbuster that won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.

The early 1990s saw hits such as Baaghi (1990), Sanam Bewafa (1991), Saajan (1991), Kurbaan (1991) and Patthar Ke Phool (1991), followed by a downturn with several failures through 1992–1993.

1994–1999: Rise to prominence

In 1994, he co-starred with Aamir Khan in Andaz Apna Apna (now a cult classic) and led Barjatya's Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!—then the highest-grossing Indian film. He headlined Karan Arjun (1995) with Shah Rukh Khan, followed by Khamoshi: The Musical (1996) and action hit Jeet (1996). He had notable successes with Judwaa (1997), Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998), Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998; Best Supporting Actor Filmfare for cameo in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), and in 1999 Hum Saath-Saath Hain, Biwi No.1 and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (Best Actor nomination).

2000–2009: Sporadic success

The 2000s featured a mix of hits and failures including Tere Naam (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), No Entry (2005), Partner (2007), and the action comeback Wanted (2009). He also hosted the game show 10 Ka Dum (2008–2009).

2010–2017: Superstardom

He consolidated superstardom with Dabangg (2010), Ready (2011), Bodyguard (2011), Ek Tha Tiger (2012), Dabangg 2 (2012), Kick (2014), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015), Sultan (2016) and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017). Dabangg won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan are among his highest-grossing films.

2018–present: Decline

Subsequent films included Race 3 (2018), Bharat (2019; average), Dabangg 3 (2019; flop), Radhe (2021; negative reviews), Antim: The Final Truth (2021; mixed), Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023; failure) and Tiger 3 (2023; hit but below prequels). He cameoed in Pathaan (2023) and later starred in Sikandar (2025), which underperformed.

Other work

Production

In 2011, Khan launched SKBH Productions (Salman Khan Being Human Productions); its first film Chillar Party won three National Awards. In 2014, he launched Salman Khan Films (SKF), producing titles including Dr. Cabbie (2014), Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015), Tubelight (2017), Race 3 (2018), Loveyatri (2018), Notebook (2019), Bharat (2019), Dabangg 3 (2019), Kaagaz (2021), Radhe (2021), Antim (2021), Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023), Farrey (2023) and Sikandar (2025).

Television

He has hosted 10 Ka Dum (2008, 2009) and has hosted Bigg Boss continuously since 2010 through multiple seasons, becoming synonymous with the show and regularly topping TRP charts.

Brand endorsements and business

Khan has endorsed beverages, apparel, motorcycles, telecom and consumer goods, including Thums Up, Pepsi, Yatra, Suzuki, Relaxo, Wheel, Revital, and more. He owns commercial property in Mumbai and has leased it to premium retail tenants.

Philanthropy

Khan founded the Being Human Foundation, focusing on education and healthcare for the underprivileged, funded via art initiatives and a large merchandise line. He has supported government cleanliness drives and undertaken donations for farmers and prisoners unable to pay fines.

Personal life

Khan resides in Galaxy Apartments, Bandra, and owns a farmhouse in Panvel. He has never married; past relationships include Aishwarya Rai and Katrina Kaif; since 2012 he has been linked to Iulia Vântur. He suffers from trigeminal neuralgia and identifies as both Hindu and Muslim.

In the media

Khan is popularly known as "Bhai"/"Bhaijaan" and by the initials SK. He has wax figures at Madame Tussauds (London, New York), has frequently topped desirability and earnings lists, and has been listed by Forbes among the world's highest-paid actors and celebrities.

Controversies

2002 hit-and-run case

He was arrested after his car ran into a bakery in Mumbai, killing one and injuring others. He was convicted by a sessions court in 2015, but later that year acquitted by the Bombay High Court; the state’s appeal was admitted by the Supreme Court in 2016.

Relationship with Aishwarya Rai

Following their breakup in 2002, Rai accused Khan of harassment; actor Vivek Oberoi alleged threats from Khan in 2003. An alleged taped call from 2001, later found to be fake by a government lab, circulated in media.

Blackbuck poaching and Arms Act cases

Linked to the 1998 Hum Saath-Saath Hain shoot near Jodhpur; he faced multiple cases and brief incarcerations. He was acquitted in several related cases, but on 5 April 2018 was convicted in one blackbuck case and sentenced to five years; he was released on bail on 7 April 2018 pending appeal. In April 2024, two gang associates opened fire outside his residence; police linked the attack to long-standing threats from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.

Remarks about 26/11 attacks

In 2010, he said the attacks drew attention because "the elite were targeted", comments that drew criticism; he later apologised.

Tweets on Yakub Memon

In 2015, he tweeted in support of Yakub Memon not being hanged and later apologised, deleting the tweets after backlash.

Interference allegations in Jiah Khan case

Jiah Khan’s mother alleged he tried to influence investigators regarding Sooraj Pancholi; the claim drew media attention.

Threats from Lawrence Bishnoi gang and later comments

He has faced repeated threats since 2022; after the 2024 firing incident he publicly addressed the constraints of increased security.

2025 comments on Balochistan (controversy)

A remark at a Riyadh event referencing Baloch people drew criticism from Pakistan and false claims of sanction under anti-terror laws; officials later issued clarifications.

Discography

Selected singing credits:

• 1999: "Chaandi Ke Daal Par" (Hello Brother) – duet with Alka Yagnik
• 2014: "Hangover"; "Hai Yehi Zindagi (v2)"; "Jumme Ki Raat (v2)"; "Tu Hi Tu (v2)" (Kick)
• 2015: "Main Hoon Hero Tera" (Hero) – solo
• 2016: multiple tracks from Sultan including "Baby Ko Bass Pasand Hai" and "Jag Ghoomeya"
• 2018: "I Found Love" (Race 3)
• 2019: "Main Taare" (Notebook); "Yu Karke" (Dabangg 3)
• 2020: "Pyar Karona"; "Tere Bina"; "Bhai Bhai"

Accolades

Khan has received numerous awards including two National Film Awards (as producer) and two Filmfare Awards (as actor), among various other honours.

See also

• Khans of Bollywood

External links

• Template:IMDb name