Forbes India Celebrity 100 No.2
Saat Rasta, known earlier as the Jacob Circle, is the vortex that joins five different areas of Mumbai. On that junction lies New Shirin Talkies, a non-descript theatre. Normally, the traffic on Saat Rasta roundabout is messy, but a week before Eid in 2010, at least three roads leading up to it were completely blocked.
When one got close to the roundabout, nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Except that Salman Khan was staring out of a large poster of Wanted and there were people milling about the entrance creating the traffic bottleneck. Wanted was a two-year-old film. Why the queues?
“Salman bhai ka naya picture aanewala hai sahib (Salman’s new film is going to be released),” says the cab driver.
So what? Isn’t this an old film?
“Saab, apne Dabangg ka trailer dekha hai (Sir, have you watched the trailers of Dabangg)?”
No.
“Tabhi! Public Salman ke peeche itna pagal hai ki agle hafte naya picture ke pehle uska purana hit dekhne aaya hai (That’s why. People are crazy about Salman, so they’ve come to watch his old hit before the release of the new film).”
A week later, when Dabangg released, it broke all weekend opening records, bettering the previous record of Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots. Salman then delivered Ready and then Bodyguard—each grossed more than Rs 200 crore. In 2012, Salman aced the box office with the Eid release of Ek Tha Tiger, and in December 2012 delivered Dabangg 2, another smash hit. He is the star who has made masala films hip again.
No other actor in the last 30 years has done what Salman Khan has done. He has delivered six superhits in four years, grossing over Rs 850 crore. “Salman ke pagalo ki kami nahi hai. Aisi line lagti hai ki pucho mat (There’s no dearth of Salman fanatics. There are long queues for his films),” says Manoj Desai, the owner of Gaiety-Galaxy multiplex in Mumbai.
The closest parallel to Salman’s winning streak is Shah Rukh Khan’s magical run from 1993 to 1995 (Darr, Baazigar, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (DDLJ)). It may sound blasphemous today but Salman is the underdog who is now the top dog of the box office. Till 2006, it was Shah Rukh who held all the aces. Shah Rukh was the Mr Dependable who in phases—1993 to 1995, 1998 to 2002 and 2003 to 2006—delivered Hindi cinema’s biggest hits. Salman was just erratic then. Notching a hit here and then delivering a multitude of non-consequential films. This is when he wasn’t getting on the wrong side of the law. He was accused of running over a pedestrian in 2002 and faced trial for killing a Chinkara in 2006.
The transformation of Salman is one the most notable turnaround stories of Indian business. Behind it lies a shift in the way he views his career, philanthropy and the counsel of some wise minds, most notably his father Salim Khan. There is only one thing he hasn’t changed. His cocky but lovable attitude.
DRAWING THE LINES
The drive to Surve Farms, where Salman is shooting a commercial, is almost two hours from Mumbai. Next to an old haveli is a flotilla of buses. Behind the buses and sitting below a makeshift canopy is Da Man—Salman Khan. “Which magazine did you say you were from?” he asks, looking away.
Forbes India. We are doing a list of top celebrities.
“On what basis? Who is the jury for this?”
There is no jury. This is based on earnings and fame.
“Who will tell you their true earnings? Fame…
It is an estimate based on four independent….
“Can I take this notepad and pen?”
Yes.
“Look, there are 100 guys on your list. Right? And you guys must be getting calls from people who want to be on that list.”
You can’t get on the list unless….
“…C’mon, you are Forbes. I know you are a famous magazine. People want to be on that list.”
Ummm…
“Ten thousand people want to be on that list. Many people need it. Except one,” says Salman, and writes -1 on the sheet of paper.
Except one? Who? “Salman Khan.”
THE RISE OF A STAR
Over the last 40 years, Hindi cinema has had two undisputed matinee idols. The first was Rajesh Khanna. The second is Amitabh Bachchan. The slot fell vacant in 1982, when Bachchan was injured while shooting for Coolie. Bachchan did have hits in 1984 (Sharabi), 1988 (Shahenshah) and 1991/1992 (Hum, Khuda Gawah), but he was never able to recapture his old glory.
The quest to fill the vacant throne began in 1988 when Aamir Khan scored with Qayamat Se Qayamt Tak. Two years later, Salman lit up the screens with Maine Pyaar Kiya. Even though they had a headstart, neither could become a surefire hit at the box office a la Bachchan or Khanna. That would happen only six years later.
In 1995, Shah Rukh Khan happened when he did DDLJ, one of the highest grossing Indian films of all times. Till 2003, it was Shah Rukh who reigned at the box office. It has to be said though that a lot of his success came from the overseas market, thanks to his urbane looks and demeanour. “The NRIs and even the foreign audience absolutely love him,” says Boman Irani. If there is one thing that Shah Rukh could not manage, it was to become as big a draw as Bachchan or Khanna in the hinterlands.
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(This story appears in the 08 February, 2013 issue of Forbes India. To visit our Archives, click here.)
salman ,,,,,, I LOVE U,,,
on Nov 13, 2014Salman is surely shining with age. Not just his looks..but it seems that he is the best thing that has happened to TV..to be specific to BIG BOSS. Read here: http://www.leisuremartini.com/salman-khan-celebrity-host-tv/
on Dec 14, 2013Exactly, on TV he is the king like mentioned in the link and as the above article mentions... 6 superhits in 4 years grossing Rs 850 crore????? Incredible!!!
on Mar 13, 2014salman khan films hit because ticket price in multiplex 100 to 250 he give only one hit per year for past 4 years but AB and Rk give five to six hits per year.ab give not superhit but two to three blokbuster per year from 1973 to 1986 when ticket price is 3 to 5 rupiees only. in past few years many films hits because rise in ticket price and multiplexes .
on May 6, 2013you can\'t compare the two times.. if the ticket prices have increased so has the cost of production for a film increased. those are economical issues. the point is, he is in a similar phase as big b or rk were. again when you compare ab giving 5-6 hits to salman\'s couple each year, it is again a ratio thing. ab had lot more films coming out compared to salman so when you compare ratio of hits to total films made by both in a year, it would again be similar. not a big fan of salman\'s films but he is in a very good zone, you can\'t take that away
on Dec 14, 2013bhai toh bhai hai lajawab hai bhai ko salam hai.haq hai unko .
on Mar 15, 2013There\'s only one Sizziling superstar in India and that is\"SALMAN BHAI\". SALMAN ROCKS....
on Feb 8, 2013salman once said in an interview that i use to do films for my freinds thats y my film were not so suceessful as my fans wanted me to have but now i have taken the charge n will deliever what my fans n people want to see in my films n thats entertainment salman gave 6 all time blockbusters in 2 years but still have 6 films waiting to release in 2 years more so will have 12 back to back all time blockbuster
on Feb 7, 2013thats true guys king salman era has just begin many many more all time blockbusters n 300 crores grosser movie has to come
on Feb 7, 2013Salman Rocks
on Feb 6, 2013sallu bhai ka time fantastic chal raha hai aur abhi aandhi aane wali hai...
on Feb 6, 2013I read many articles about Salman Khan. This one truly reflects his past, present and future. well done.
on Feb 6, 2013Well done Forbes for a straight article, unlike others who are making news out of no news at all by reporting worthless and trival issues. Love his attitude.
on Feb 5, 2013well said..salman love u..my biggest superstar,...no1 hero
on Feb 5, 2013sallu bhai... .... to sallu bhai .... hai bhai!
on Feb 5, 2013love u sallu bhai u r d best hero in bollywood......being salman
on Feb 5, 2013love u salman you are the real country\'s lovable , most follower star You are better than other stars in all way
on Feb 4, 2013lovely man salman
on Feb 4, 2013The most charismatic, underrated and handsome SUPERSTAR of Bollywood today with a real heart. He is untouchable.
on Feb 4, 2013Very well said. I agree.
on Feb 4, 2013Salman Khan is the Best Star in Bollywood
on Feb 4, 2013After a really long time (if ever), a balanced and honest article by Forbes that credits Salman and his work without indulging in libel. As a Salman fan since the day I stood in a queue trying to buy tickets for Maine Pyaar Kiya in 1989, I truly appreciate this one. Well done Mr. Mishra and Mr. Prasad
on Feb 4, 2013