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Salman Khan Biography: Bollywood’s “Bhaijaan,” from Maine Pyar Kiya to Bigg Boss

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This Salman Khan biography covers Bollywood’s “Bhaijaan”: born December 27, 1965, in Indore, India, he broke through with Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), ruled the 2010s with Dabangg and Sultan, and has hosted Bigg Boss since 2010. In October 2026 he returned as the first guest of the final Koffee With Karan season, premiering October 14.

Salman Khan: Quick Facts
Full name Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan
Born December 27, 1965, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actor, film producer, television host, philanthropist
Known for Maine Pyar Kiya, Dabangg, Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Sultan, hosting Bigg Boss
Spouse Never married
Children None

Early life and background

Salman Khan was born Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan on December 27, 1965, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, the eldest son of celebrated screenwriter Salim Khan — one half of the legendary Salim–Javed duo behind Sholay (1975), Deewaar (1975) and Don (1978) — and Sushila Charak, known as Salma Khan. He grew up in a large film-industry family alongside brothers Arbaaz and Sohail and sisters Alvira and Arpita, with actress Helen as his stepmother. He attended St. Stanislaus High School in Bandra and briefly enrolled at St. Xavier’s College before leaving to pursue acting, starting out as a model and set assistant.

Career: from Maine Pyar Kiya to Bollywood’s biggest draw

Khan’s acting career began with a supporting role in Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988), but it was his first leading role — as Prem in Sooraj Barjatya’s romantic musical Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) — that made him a star overnight. The film was one of the highest-grossing Indian films of its era and earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.

Through the 1990s he consolidated his stardom across genres — Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Karan Arjun (1995), Judwaa (1997), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998, Filmfare Best Supporting Actor), Biwi No. 1 and Hum Saath-Saath Hain (both 1999).

After an uneven 2000s — brightened by the acclaimed Tere Naam (2003) — Khan reinvented himself as an action hero with Prabhu Deva’s Wanted (2009), the turning point that launched the most dominant box-office run of any Hindi-film star in the 2010s: Dabangg (2010), which introduced his iconic cop character Chulbul Pandey; Ready (2011); Bodyguard (2011); Ek Tha Tiger (2012); Kick (2014); the emotionally charged Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015); Sultan (2016); and Tiger Zinda Hai (2017). He is the only actor to have starred in ten of the highest-grossing Hindi films of their respective years.

His recent theatrical run has been rockier: Tiger 3 (2023) underperformed and Sikandar (March 30, 2025) flopped, per The Hollywood Reporter India. His next film, the war drama Battle of Galwan — announced in July 2025, directed by Apoorva Lakhia — was retitled Maatrubhumi: May War Rest in Peace in March 2026; as of October 2026 it remains in post-production with no confirmed release date, per NewsBytes, citing Variety India.

Major achievements, television and philanthropy

On television, Khan hosted the game show 10 Ka Dum (2008–09) and has anchored Bigg Boss since its fourth season in 2010 — a run that made him a household name beyond cinema and, per industry reports, one of India’s highest-paid TV hosts.

His production banner, Salman Khan Films, has won two National Film Awards: Best Children’s Film for Chillar Party (2011) and Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015). Combined with his two Filmfare acting awards, that gives him four of Indian cinema’s most prestigious honors. In 2007 he founded the Being Human Foundation, a charity supporting education and healthcare for the underprivileged, funded in part through the Being Human clothing brand — a model profiled by Forbes India. Forbes also repeatedly placed him among the world’s highest-paid entertainers, including 2015 (tied at No. 71 with $33.5 million in earnings) and 2018 (No. 82, $37.7 million — the highest-ranked Indian that year).

In September 2026 the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026 debuted him at ₹3,000 crore, making him India’s third-richest actor — behind only Shah Rukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan.

Personal life and legal challenges

Khan has never married and lives with his extended family at Galaxy Apartments in Bandra West, Mumbai. His off-screen life has been marked by two long-running legal cases, both of which he has contested. In the 2002 hit-and-run case, a Mumbai sessions court convicted him in May 2015 and sentenced him to five years; the Bombay High Court acquitted him in December 2015, and the Supreme Court later dismissed the Maharashtra government’s appeal, as TheWrap reported. In the 1998 blackbuck poaching case, a Jodhpur court convicted him on April 5, 2018, sentencing him to five years in prison with a ₹10,000 fine; he was granted bail two days later, and appeals by both Khan and the Rajasthan government remain pending, per the case record.

Net worth snapshot

Salman Khan’s wealth is estimated at ₹2,900–3,000 crore (roughly US$345–370 million) as of 2026 — anchored by his debut on the M3M Hurun India Rich List 2026 at ₹3,000 crore and Forbes India-linked estimates of ₹2,900 crore. The fortune spans blockbuster salaries and profit shares, Bigg Boss hosting fees, the Being Human brand, Salman Khan Films, and a large Mumbai real-estate portfolio. For the full breakdown — film fees, business holdings, real estate and the transparent methodology behind the figure — see Salman Khan’s net worth.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Salman Khan?

Salman Khan was born on December 27, 1965, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India — he turned 60 in December 2025 and is 60 years old in 2026.

What was Salman Khan’s first movie?

Salman Khan debuted with a supporting role in Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988). His breakthrough came the following year with his first leading role in Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), which won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.

Why is Salman Khan trending in October 2026?

Salman Khan is the first guest on Koffee With Karan Season 9 — the ninth and final season of Karan Johar’s long-running chat show — which premiered on October 14, 2026, on JioHotstar. The premiere is his first solo appearance on the show, following appearances with his father (Season 4) and brothers (Season 5).

Is Salman Khan married?

No. Salman Khan has never married and has no children. He lives with his extended family in Bandra, Mumbai, and keeps his private life largely out of public discussion.

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