The Early Years: 1988–1993 — Rise of a Superstar

Salman Khan’s film debut was a brief cameo in Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988), but Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) truly launched him. Directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya, this romantic blockbuster won Salman the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. The innocent love story of Prem and Suman resonated deeply with Indian audiences, establishing the “Prem” persona that defined his early career — a sweet, mild-mannered romantic hero who would go on to become a cultural icon.

The early 1990s saw him experiment across genres. Baaghi: A Rebel for Love (1990) showcased action chops, while Sanam Bewafa (1991) and Saajan (1991) cemented him as a romantic lead. Saajan was the highest-grossing film of 1991 and gave the timeless “Tum Dil Ki Dhadkan Mein.” Films like Patthar Ke Phool, Kurbaan, and Chandramukhi showed his range beyond romance.

Andaz Apna Apna (1994) with Aamir Khan was a box-office disappointment initially, but grew into a cult classic over the years — today it is celebrated for its unmatched comedic timing and the chemistry between the two Khans. This period established Salman as a bankable star who could carry any genre.

Mid-Career: 1994–2008 — Iconic Hits and Defining Roles

Hum Aapke Hain Koun movie poster with Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit

This era defined Salman Khan as a box-office force. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) was a cultural phenomenon — one of India’s highest-grossing films and still remembered for its family wedding drama, iconic music, and Madhuri Dixit’s chemistry with Salman. Karan Arjun (1995) paired him with Shah Rukh Khan for a reincarnation drama directed by Rakesh Roshan that became a major hit.

Judwaa (1997) was a defining moment — Salman played a double role as twin brothers separated at birth, showcasing both comic timing and action. The film’s soundtrack was massive. Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) and his cameo in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) kept him in the spotlight. Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) were both blockbusters that reinforced his image as the quintessential family-film hero.

The early 2000s brought critical acclaim with Tere Naam (2003), where he played a troubled lover — a performance many critics consider his finest. No Entry (2005) became one of Bollywood’s biggest comedy hits, and Partner (2007) continued his comedy success. Salman had now proven he could do romance, action, comedy, and drama equally well.

Superstardom: 2009–2018 — The Blockbuster Era

After a brief lull in 2006-08, Salman Khan made a stunning comeback with Wanted (2009) — an action entertainer directed by Prabhu Deva that rewrote box-office records. But it was Dabangg (2010) that changed everything. The character of Chulbul Pandey — a corrupt but lovable cop — became an all-time Bollywood icon. The film’s tagline “Ek Baar Jo Maine Commitment Kar Di” and the song “Munni Badnaam Hui” became national phenomena.

Between 2010 and 2015, Salman delivered an unprecedented run of blockbusters: Ready (2011), Bodyguard (2011) — both ’100 crore+ grossers — Ek Tha Tiger (2012) which launched the YRF spy universe, Dabangg 2 (2012), Kick (2014), and Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015). Bajrangi Bhaijaan was a career-defining masterpiece — the story of Pawan, a Hanuman devotee who helps a mute Pakistani girl return home. It grossed over ’969 crore worldwide, won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film, and earned Salman a Filmfare Best Actor nomination.

Bajrangi Bhaijaan movie poster with Salman Khan and child actress

Sultan (2016) saw Salman transform into a wrestler for Ali Abbas Zafar’s sports drama — his physical transformation and the underdog narrative made it a blockbuster (’623 crore worldwide). Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) was even bigger, earning over ’565 crore and cementing the Tiger franchise as Bollywood’s most successful spy series. Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Sultan remain two of the highest-rated Salman Khan films on IMDb (8.1 and 7.1 respectively).

Recent Phase: 2019–Present — Reinvention and Upcoming Projects

The post-2018 period has been a mixed bag for Salman. Bharat (2019) crossed ’325 crore worldwide despite mixed reviews. Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai (2021) and Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan (2023) were commercially modest. His most recent release Sikandar (2025), directed by A.R. Murugadoss, was a mass-action film that received mixed-to-negative reviews (IMDb: 3.6) but still drew his loyal fanbase to theaters.

Looking ahead, Salman has an exciting slate. Maatrubhumi (2026) is a war drama with a strong ensemble cast. Kick 2, the sequel to the 2014 hit, is in development. Raj & DK’s superhero film is one of the most anticipated superhero concepts from the team behind The Family Man. The most anticipated project is Tiger vs Pathaan — the YRF Spy Universe crossover with Shah Rukh Khan’s Pathaan, set for a 2027 release. Battle of Galwan, based on the 2020 India-China border clash, is also in pre-production.

Where to Watch Salman Khan Movies on OTT

Ek Tha Tiger movie poster with Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif

Many of Salman Khan’s biggest hits are available on popular streaming platforms in India. Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Dabangg are available on Netflix. The Tiger series (Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai) streams on Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ Hotstar. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! and Maine Pyar Kiya are on Netflix. No Entry and Partner stream on various OTT platforms.

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