At 57 years old, Salman Khan remains one of Bollywood‘s most popular, sought-after and productive superstars in 2024. In his over three decades in the film industry, Salman has evolved from a lanky romantic hero to a muscle-ripped action star with an unparalleled fan following.
Through reinventing himself across genres, weathering controversies, spearheading blockbusters and displaying an indomitable spirit, Salman has shown that age is indeed just a number. Let‘s examine his personal life, career, fitness mantras and upcoming ventures that keep him at the top of his game even today.
The Early Life That Shaped Bollywood‘s ‘Bhaijaan‘
Salman was born as Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan on December 27, 1965 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh to a Muslim father and a Hindu mother. He is the eldest of screenwriter Salim Khan‘s six children, and has two brothers – Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan – who are also actors in the film industry.
Salman‘s father Salim Khan was part of the legendary story-writing duo Salim-Javed, along with Javed Akhtar. Salim is renowned for penning the screenplay of iconic films like Sholay (1975) and Don (1978) among others.
Given this filmy lineage, Salman was destined for fame. His family moved to Mumbai where he attended St. Stanislaus High School in Bandra like most Bollywood star kids.
As a young boy, Salman was an impish trouble-maker which led to his expulsion from school. Still, he was close to his parents and siblings despite their varying religious beliefs and has spoken about growing up in a balanced, liberal environment.
"I have grown up with Hindu boys. I am Muslim, my brothers have married Hindus, my sister has married a Christian," Salman said in an interview with Mumbai Mirror.
Years later, this lens of religious tolerance reflects in Salman‘s films and charitable work.
The Dashing Debut that Made Salman a Star to Reckon With
Salman made his film debut in a supporting role in the 1988 romantic drama Biwi Ho To Aisi. But it was 1989‘s Maine Pyar Kiya, in which he played the lead role of Prem opposite Bhagyashree, that turned Salman into an instant Bollywood heartthrob.
Maine Pyar Kiya‘s Record-Breaking Success
- Budget – ₹1.2 crores
- Box office collection – ₹30 crores
- International gross – $10 million
- Highest grossing Bollywood film of 1989
- Won Salman a Filmfare Best Male Debut Award
The fresh-faced young stars and family-friendly story struck a chord with audiences making Maine Pyar Kiya one of the biggest hits of the 80s. It cemented Salman‘s image as the romantic hero of his generation.
What followed was a string of chartbuster films pairing him opposite top actresses – Saajan (1991) with Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit, Saajan (1991) opposite Sanjay Kapoor, Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994) with Madhuri again, Chaand Kaa Tukdaa (1994) opposite Sridevi, Judwaa (1997) with Karishma Kapoor, Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) with Kajol and many more.
"I did Maine Pyar Kiya in 1989 and that was such a huge hit. No matter what I do in life, people remember me for that film," Salman said fondly.
Salman Khan‘s Most Successful Films in the 1990s
| Film | Co-Stars | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Pyar Kiya | Bhagyashree | 1989 |
| Saajan | Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit | 1991 |
| Suryavanshi | Amrita Singh | 1992 |
| Hum Aapke Hain Koun | Madhuri Dixit | 1994 |
| Karan Arjun | Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Mamta Kulkarni | 1995 |
| Jeet | Karishma Kapoor | 1996 |
| Judwaa | Karisma Kapoor, Rambha | 1997 |
| Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya | Kajol | 1998 |
| Hum Saath-Saath Hain | Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Mohnish Bahl | 1999 |
| Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam | Aishwarya Rai, Ajay Devgn | 1999 |
Salman‘s masculine physique, raw sex appeal and killer dance moves also made him popular among female fans who would swoon chanting ‘Oh Oh Jaane Jaana‘ at his shows and events.
Off-screen, he was linked to several leading ladies like Sangeeta Bijlani, Somy Ali and Aishwarya Rai which added to his Casanova reputation.
The Tumultuous Personal Life Beneath the Media Glare
Though linked to many women over the years, Salman Khan has famously never been married and his relationships have made headlines for the wrong reasons at times.
His most high-profile romance was with Aishwarya Rai, his co-star from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. They started dating in 1999 soon achieving ‘royal‘ couple status given their huge popularity.
However, rumours of Salman‘s possessiveness and volatility put strains on the relationship that finally ended in 2001. In 2002, Aishwarya alleged that Salman had physically abused and harassed her in the past. She claimed to have gone through an emotionally traumatic time during their relationship.
Salman refuted these allegations vehemently and denied ever laying hands on a woman. But the controversy definitely tarnished his lover-boy reputation.
Years later, he seemed to find love again with model-actress Katrina Kaif who he got close to during the filming of Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005). They were in a relationship for over 5 years but eventually broke up in 2010 amidst speculation that Salman wanted to settle down but Katrina wasn‘t ready.
More recently in 2017-18, rumours suggested that Salman was once again ready for marriage with Romanian model-actress Iulia Vantur. But the speculated wedding never materialized for unknown reasons and Salman remains unmarried.
While he has moved on from the turbulent past, Salman‘s relationships continue to be the subject of much gossip and interest given his mega celebrity status. Fans hope that the domestically inclined superstar may finally find a life partner someday.
The Phase of Reinvention – Salman 2.0 as the Robinhood-esque ‘Bhaijaan‘
While the 90s established Salman as a commercially successful star, he entered the 2000s looking to expand his repertoire by playing more mature, complex characters.
Films like Tere Naam (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) and No Entry (2005) saw him balance comedy and drama. He got rave reviews for his portrayal of a volatile lover in Tere Naam.
"Tere Naam allowed me to get rid of my boys next door image. It was the film that proved I could act," Salman admitted in an interview.
But eventually, Salman seemed to find his groove playing to his strengths – minus the font-haired innocence of his early years.
The real game-changer was Wanted (2009) directed by Prabhu Deva. As the gun-toting maverick Radhe, Salman‘s raw sex appeal, chiselled body and powerful screen presence got their due.
The film was a turning point cementing his transformation into an action hero. What followed was an incredible run of hit films like Dabangg, Ready, Bodyguard, Ek Tha Tiger, Kick, Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Tiger Zinda Hai among others.
These films established what is now called ‘Salman Khan genre‘ of masala entertainers that showcase his trademark swagger. Salman also came to be known as Bollywood‘s own Robinhood through his roles in Dabangg and Bajrangi Bhaijaan.
"I only do films I believe I can pull off. I know my limitations and plan accordingly," says Salman on choosing projects wisely.
With his reinvention, Salman won over a whole new generation of fans – from kids to elderly – who lovingly call him ‘Bhaijaan‘.
Salman Khan‘s Highest Grossing Films Since 2010
| Film | Worldwide Gross | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Dabangg | ₹219 crores | 2010 |
| Bodyguard | ₹240 crores | 2011 |
| Ek Tha Tiger | ₹320 crores | 2012 |
| Dabangg 2 | ₹250 crores | 2012 |
| Kick | ₹350 crores | 2014 |
| Bajrangi Bhaijaan | ₹969 crores | 2015 |
| Sultan | ₹623 crores | 2016 |
| Tiger Zinda Hai | ₹565 crores | 2017 |
With consistent blockbusters minting big money, Salman Khan was ranked as the 2nd highest grossing Bollywood star worldwide as per Forbes 2019 list, behind only Shah Rukh Khan.
Salman Khan – The Businessman Behind the Bhaijaan Brand
A sharp businessman and entrepreneur, Salman Khan has leveraged his success to create profitable ventures beyond films.
Salman Khan Films – The Production Powerhouse
- Launched in 2014, Salman Khan Films has co-produced hits like Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Hero, Bharat and Tubelight.
- Upcoming films include Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali, Veteran and Kick 2.
- The production house taps into Salman‘s mass appeal to generate big box office returns.
Being Human – Fashion with a Heart
- Being Human clothing line was launched in 2012 and a portion of its profits go towards charity.
- The brand has 100+ stores across India and several international outlets.
- Being Human merchandise including T-shirts, watches, sunglasses and accessories is hugely popular among Salman fans.
Bigg Boss – Salman Ke Taqreeban
- As host of reality show Bigg Boss since 2010, Salman reportedly earns ₹350 crores annually.
- His Weekend Ka Vaar episodes get the highest TRPs – 4.0 to 5.0 on average.
- Salman‘s segments alone rake in 30-40% of the show‘s advertising revenue for Colors TV.
While expanding his commercial ventures, Salman ensures that the projects align with his larger-than-life image rather than diluting it. He has earned the nickname ‘Bhai-bankable‘ for his savvy business sense.
Behind the Six Pack Abs – Salman‘s Fitness & Diet Regime at 57
Apart from his compelling screen presence, Salman Khan is also hailed as one of the fittest actors in Bollywood. So how does he maintain such an incredible physique at 57? Let‘s look at his workout and diet plan:
1. Cardio
- Salman runs on the treadmill or cycles daily for 45 min to an hour keeping his endurance levels high.
- He also goes swimming thrice a week which works as a full-body cardio exercise.
2. Strength Training
- For muscular strength, he focuses on weight training 4-5 days/week targeting all major muscle groups.
- Shoulders, arms, chest and legs – no body part is ignored during his 2-3 hour gym sessions.
3. Yoga and More
- Salman practises yoga regularly to improve balance, flexibility and mental focus.
- He also includes martial arts training, Pilates and dance rehearsals in his fitness regimen for variety.
4. Nutrition
- Salman advocates eating fresh, home-cooked meals with plenty of protein to build muscle like chicken, fish, eggs and soya along with complex carbs and veggies.
- He minimizes oil, sugar and fried foods.
5. Cheat Days
- Though disciplined, Salman allows himself occasional indulgences in his favourite pani puri, North Indian food and dark chocolates without guilt!
At 57, while many peers have slowed down, Salman Khan only seems to be getting fitter proving age is just an attitude. His ripped physique sets an example and inspires even the younger generation.
Salman‘s Charity – Being Human
While making waves on screen with his histrionics and muscle power, Salman is also lauded for his philanthropy and desire to give back to society.
To channel his charitable efforts, Salman launched Being Human Foundation in 2007. Since then, the organization has worked extensively across areas like:
Education – Being Human sponsors over 300 underprivileged students for vocational training and college education.
Healthcare – They have facilitated surgeries for 800+ children with heart conditions and provided cancer treatment subsidies for 7,000+ underprivileged patients so far.
Disaster Relief – Being Human has provided relief aid after natural disasters like tsunami, earthquakes and floods.
Salman is actively involved with the foundation, giving his time for causes dear to him. He believes true success lies in helping others move forward in life.
"We are who we are because of our fans and well-wishers. Helping others is our moral duty," Salman says.
The superstar has managed to use his celebrity appeal to drive positive change in society and inspire others to give back too.
Major Being Human Initiatives
- Being Human Art – Auction of Salman‘s paintings which raised ₹10 crores for charity.
- Being Human Cyclothon – 8-city bike rally raising ₹5 crore corpus for treatment of children with heart conditions.
- Being Human merch – Portion of proceeds go to foundation to fund education and healthcare causes.
Salman‘s philanthropic spirit has earned him goodwill that trascends his rockstar status.
2023 and Beyond – The Show Goes on for Salman
At 57, when many actors start looking for character roles, Salman Khan has a chock-a-block schedule ahead as Bollywood‘s most bankable megastar.
His upcoming films include:
Kabhi Eid Kabhi Diwali – Romcom directed by Farhad Samji opposite Pooja Hegde. To release in December 2023.
Veteran Remake – Hindi remake of hit Korean film Veteran. To start filming in 2024.
No Entry Mein Entry – Sequel to No Entry (2005) going on floors late 2023.
He will also return as host of Bigg Boss Season 17 this year. Clearly, Salman shows no signs of slowing down!
His unmatchable screen presence and instant connect with the masses will ensure he continues to rule the box office. As Salman says, "My work will speak, not my age."
The superstar has completed over three decades in Indian cinema with many more milestones to cross. Through reinvention, resilience and resolute hard work, he has earned his spot at the top.
Salman Khan‘s Enduring X-Factor
- Masculine charisma
- Generous heart
- Business acumen
- Ultra-fit lifestyle
- Mass entertainer roles
- Bhai-bankable appeal
At 57, Salman Khan‘s youthful energy, passion for his craft and determination to push boundaries prove that nothing can stop him from being Bollywood‘s forever-favourite ‘Bhaijaan‘. This blockbuster journey shows no signs of ‘The End‘ just yet!
