Today, on the 2nd last weekend of 2018, I am writing about hottest star of Bollywood and he is
Salman Khan
He is the son of film writer Salim Khan (of Salim & Javed writer team). He made is acting debut in 1988 movie Biwi Ho To Aisi in supporting role. He came into reckoning as Lead actor in Rajshri film’s Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) directed by Sooraj Barjataya , this movie was super hit.
In the early 90s he acted in films like Baaghi, Saajan, Pathar Ke Phool, Sanam Bewafa, Kurbaan and many more, but he again achieved super duper success in Rajshri’s family drama, directed by Sooraj Barjataya Hum Aapke Hain Koun in 1994. In the later half of decade he acted in movies like Karan Arjun, Khamoshi-The Musical, Judwaa, Auzaar, Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya, Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Biwi No. 1, and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Most of his movies did good business on the box office.
In the next decade of 2000-09, few of his movies like Tere Bin, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Baaghban, Salaam E Ishq, Partner did average to good business but most of his other movies were box office disasters.
His lady luck started turning from 2009, when his movie Wanted directed by Prabhudeva did a business of more than Rs 100 crores in Indian market. In the same year he appeared in 2 more films London Dreams & Main Aur Mrs Khanna, which did not fare well at the box office
His next release, Dabangg was released in 2010. Salman 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. It became highest grossing film of that year and it also won many awards including National Award for most popular entertaining film. This film also crossed the Rs 100 crore in box office collection. After this till 2016 all Salman’s film crossed the figures of Rs 100 crores in box office collection.
Salman’s first release of 2011 was Ready. Upon release, Ready became the second highest opening day grosser, He next appeared in Bodyguard, The film was not well received by critics, though became a financial success.
Salman’s first release of 2012 was Ek Tha tiger where he starred opposite Katrina Kaif and acted as Indian spy. The film garnered positive to mixed reactions from critics whilst opening to extremely strong box office collections. It marks his first association with Yashraj 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’s second release of 2012 is Dabangg 2 which is a sequel of Dabangg under production of Arbaaz Khan, his younger brother who directed this film also. This film also did fantastic business at box office.
After year gap Salman’s first release of 2014 was Jai Ho in which he starred opposite Daisy Shah. After five consecutive successful films, this 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.
Salman’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, and became the eighth consecutive film of Salman Khan to gross over 100 crores. Salman’s first, and become the second Bollywood film after PK to enter Rs 300 crore club. Bajrangi Bhaijaan crossed 300 crore in 20 days of its release, while his second film, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, a Diwali release received mixed reviews from critics and public and broke several box-office record upon release. The film became the ninth consecutive film of Salman Khan to gross over 100 crores, with this film Salman become only actor to give three back to back movies which collected more than Rs 200 crore net in Indian market.
Salman’s only film of 2016, yet again another Eid release, Sultan directed by Ali Abbas Zafar for Yashraj Films received positive reviews from both critics and public breaking several box-office records. By the end of its second week, the film had grossed an estimated Rs278 crore and later became the second film of Khan to nett over Rs 300 crores. His next film was released in 2017’Tiger Zinda Hai’ which did business over 200 crore, but his 2018 film Race 3 did not do well could do only about 150 crore and was termed as flop.
Salman was also involved in hosting and anchoring TV shows like Dus ka Dum for 3 seasons from 2008, and from 2010 he is also hosting the show Big Boss, every year till date.
Salman has mentored a number of aspiring Bollywood actors. He has also been an inspiration for some actors like Hrithik Roshan and Arjun Kapoor to get into perfect shape.
Salman has recommended composers like Himesh Reshammiya and Sajid-Wajid and he was the main person for building their careers. He supportedSanjay leela Bhansali to make Khamoshi: The Musical and thenHum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Actor Govinda’s career was rescued by Khan as he offered parallel role in Partner after Govinda returned from his political stint.
Salman has been involved in several charities during his career. He has started an NGO called Being Human which sells T-shirts and other products online and in stores. A portion of the sales go to a worthy cause supporting the underprivileged. Being Human Foundation is a registered charitable trust set up by Salman 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.
Salman has been involved in two court cases, which gain nation wide publicity because of his celebrity status. One was hit and run case in Mumbai and second was Blackbuck hunting case in Rajasthan. Both these cases lingered on for many years and in both the cases High courts finally acquitted him.
Awaiting your comments/views/feed backs.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
21st Dec 2018.