What happens when Barjatya boy Prem goes Dabangg and turns into Tiger? Well he becomes a hit machine, like our very own Salman Khan. With the success of Ek Tha Tiger, Salman has hit the jackpot for the fourth time in two years. Salman’s transformation from a quintessential lover boy to the angry young man of today has taken place within a span of three years. It all started with Prabhu Deva’s Wanted (2009). His dialogues (Ek baar jo maine commitment kar li to phi main apne aap ki bhi nahi sunta) as well as his stunt scenes in the film became a rage and a new Salman Khan was born who preferred smashing heads to romancing a girl. The real turning point came with Abhinav Kashayp’s Dabangg. Salman Khan’s cop act opened to full houses and amassed big moolah at the box office. His success run continues with Ek Tha Tiger.
Here’s listing the actor’s 10 all-time hits that will be remembered for times to come:
MAINE PYAR KIYA (1989): It was the first solo film of Salman ‘Prem’ Khan and goes back to the era when the actor’s declaration of undying love for Bhagyashree captured the imagination of millions of Bollywood lovers. It was 23 years back that Sallu signed his first Rajshree film with Sooraj Barjatya. The film went on to become the biggest hit of the year and the second biggest hit of the decade.
HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN..! (1994): Five years after the release of his debut movie, Salman Khan did the Prem act again in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! The film starring Madhuri Dixit as the female lead not only strengthened the actor’s lover boy image but also went on to become one of the biggest Bollywood hits ever. The film won 5 Filmfare Awards and also won the National Award for being the most popular film of the year.
JUDWAA (1997): Salman Khan portrayed double role for the first time in David Dhawan’s Judwaa. The film paired him opposite Karisma Kapoor and Rambha. Salman plays the quiet Prem and naughty Raja. He portrayed both the roles with ease.
PYAAR KIYA TO DARNA KYA (1998): More than anything else, the film is remembered for Salman’s shirtless act. The song Oh Oh Jaane Jaana became a rage. The film paired him opposite Kajol. The music was the USP of the film. It also starred Arbaaz Khan and Dharmendra.
BIWI NO.1 (1999): Prem showed a different shade of himself in David Dhawan’s Biwi No 1. From lover boy, he turned cheater boy. Well the actor plays a character who has an extra-marital affair. The title role is played by Karisma Kapoor and Sushmita Sen is the doosri aurat. The film was the biggest hit of 1999. It is reportedly the remake of 1995 Tamil film Sathi Leelavathi. The film also stars Anil Kapoor and Tabu.
HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM (1999): Playing the role of Sameer, Salman Khan displayed several shades of emotions in the Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s film. The movie was the perfect mix of romance and tragedy. Salman made sure he did justice to both. The film that also starred Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn, was critically acclaimed.
TERE NAAM (2003): Salman Khan delivered an exemplary performance in Tere Naam opposite Bhumika Chawla. He played the role of Rade Mohan, who falls in love with a college student Nirjara (Bhumika Chawla). After a head injury, he loses his mental balance and is admitted to an asylum. The film is an out-and-out tragedy movie that took Salman’s acting prowess to another level.
WANTED (2009): Salman’s dying Bollywood career got revived after the success of Wanted. The film gave him an image make-over as well as a fresh start in Bollywood. The film is about a young IPS officer, who goes undercover as a gangster to infiltrate the criminal underworld. Ayesha Takia starred opposite Salman in the film.
DABANGG (2010): Dabangg changed everything for Salman. He became a sensation overnight. Salman played the role of Chulbul Pandey. The film marks the debut of Sonakshi as an actor, Arbaaz as a producer and Abhinav Kashyap as a director. Made with a budget of 30 crore, Dabangg went on to gross 215 crore worldwide and the film was declared an all-time blockbuster in the second week of its release. It is the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2010 and, as of 2011, the third highest–grossing Bollywood film of all time.
BODYGUARD (2011): Thanks to Salman Khan mania, the film became the highest opening day grosser as well as the biggest grosser ever for a single day. Ek Tha Tiger has broken the opening day record now. It is the highest grossing Bollywood film of 2011. The film also starred Kareena Kapoor.
