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There was a paradigm shift in Bollywood movies in the 90's, ushered by the coming of the three Khan's, who in their very own way eradicated the stereotypical Bollywood movie star persona and in turn, slowly build a new legacy of their own. With looks to die for, personality like none other and attitude never seen before, Salman Khan has already successfully etched his name in Bollywood folklore. The most underrated actor of the three Khans, we have seen Salman give numerous blockbusters, in different flavors, over the last two decades. Not only that, he is the one responsible for changing the perception of India as to what "cool dude" means. His effervescent, playboy persona has shaped a new generation of young adults in India. He is the first Indian Actor to sport six pack abs and muscular physique, which in turn rubbed off to the next generations of actors from Hrithik Roshan to Varun Dhawan. In reality, Salman Khan is a trend setter. No wonder, the most beautiful women in this country have each tried to woo this most eligible bachelor.
You see, there is a general tendency that a discussion on Salman inadvertently goes in the direction of the controversies in his life, his physique, the fact that he is bachelor and his gorgeous girlfriends. Not often are his performances applauded, or his skills as an actor highlighted even though he has given many classics and block busters. To be honest, Salman is no less a great actor than his other two contemporaries, and I am about to give you ten reasons to support this view of mine. Of course, this list is my own opinion, but feel free to put in your comments whether you agree or not to this list.
10. Mujhse Shaadi Karogi
The Highest grossing movie of 2004, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi is a fun filled romantic comedy. This is the story about Sameer, a short tempered person with very bad luck when it comes to love. After beating up the goons who were harassing his girl-friend Roma (Amrita Arora), Roma breaks off the relationship having got scared of his temper. A heart-broken Sameer shifts to Goa taking up the duty of a Life Guard, where he meets Rani (Priyanka Chopra) and falls for her. Owing to his bad luck, he keeps getting in wrong situations with Rani and her family. Troubles are compounded when he gets a new roommate Sunny (Akshay Kumar), who also falls for Rani and at every turn tries to provoke Sameer's anger and break the relationship between Sameer and Rani. And thus starts a cat and mouse game between both of them as to who gets the girl. It's a fun movie and you will be engrossed till the end by some great comedic timings and excellent humor. Salman is his usual best as Sameer, the cool dude with anger issues, a character that draws sympathy from the audience as he is good at heart but gets drawn into all all sorts of unfortunate events. As you move on through this list, you will see that Salman has a knack for romantic comedies.
9. Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya
Another romantic comedy from Salman Khan, Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya is the story of the lengths Suraj (Salman Khan) would take to get together his love Muskan (Kajol) by winning her over-protective brother. Nice songs, great comedy, hard hitting action (Dharmedra & Salman Khan in the same team..imagine!!! ) and then there is Kajol.
8. Khamoshi: The Musical
Sanjay Leela Bhansali made his directorial debut with this critically acclaimed musical drama.
The script, the direction, the music and some brilliant acting ornamented Khamoshi, even though it didn't fare very well in the box office, but those were the days when off-beat movies never became hit. To be honest, this movie is owned by Nana Partekar and Manisha Koirala, but if you see this movie, you will realize how good an actor Salman is and how underrated he can be. Watch this movie if you have not done so till now.
7. Dabangg
Some movies bring in front of the world some characters who in time becomes immortal in their own right. Think about Jai and Veeru, Vjay Deenanath Chauhan, Mogambo, Gabbar Singh. Some movies create trends, some change perceptions while some redefines genre. I have watched a lot of movies throughout my life whose central theme is good versus evil, and I have watched a lot of movies where cop fights the mafia or goons. The only movie I can think of in the last decade that has created a legendary character, started a new trend of hanging sunglasses, changed the perception of how we look at the cops and refined the genre of action comedy,that movie is Dabangg. Salman Khan outshines everyone as Chulbul Pandey. As the caption says, "Robinhood Pandey....Cop...Lover...Rebel", this is an all Chulbul Pandey owned movie. With some great dialogues delivered in even greater style, Salman is brilliant from start to end, whether it be angry cop, cool dude type lover or the funny sarcastic person. This is a complete Bollywood masala movie, but make no mistake about it - this movie has become a classic simply because of Salman's acting. This is a must watch for every one.
6. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Salman - Aiswarya as the lead pair
Sanjay Leela Bhansali in the Director's chair
Scintillating Cinematography by Anil Mehta
Memorable musical numbers from Ismail Darbar
The above four reasons make Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam a visual, musical and emotional journey.
The story of this movie has been adopted from Maitreyi Devi's Bengali novel "Na Hanyate"
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan steals the show, Ajay Devgan is brilliant and the whole star cast delivers.
Some critics blamed Salman for being somewhat one-dimensional in his acting, but to be honest, the fun and energy he brings to his character is what keeps driving this movie. Again underrated, he does what needs to be done very nicely. Well, I simply can't think of anyone else being a better "Sameer".
5. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!
Five Filmfare Awards, one National Award and marked as the Biggest Blockbuster of Modern Era at that time, Hum Apke Hai Kaun literally changed the dynamics of Bollywood and Indian Cinema as a whole. It is the first Indian movie to cross 1 billion rupee mark adjusted to inflation. This movie has now become a cult classic. It is a simple romantic comedy, a family drama centered around an Indian wedding. It's the colorful characters in this movie, the music and songs, grandeur wedding sets, Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit (remembering - Didi tera dewar deewana....!!!) together provides us this big fat Indian wedding celebration with emphasis on family values, Indian traditions, love and emotions. Simple movie, beautiful movie, memorable movie..period!
4. Andaz Apna Apna
Salman Khan, sharing the screen with Aamir Khan, together - creates this cult classic. It's rib tickling humor, one of the best comedy coming out of Bollywood ever. This is the story of two hopeless daydreamers Amar (Aamir Khan) and Prem (Salman Khan) who competes with each other to marry a rich heiress to get rich. With the support cast of Paresh Rawal, Shakti Kapoor, Viju Khote, Shehzad Khan and Mehmood, there is no shortage of comic presence. Raveena Tandon and Karishma Kapoor are a big part of the centralized plot and meshes up with the other casts well. This is one of the most underrated movie of both Salman Khan and Aamir Khan, and it's a must see!
3. Saajan
Loosely inspired by the French play Cyrano de Bergerac, Saajan is another romantic drama by Salman Khan. This movie has attained cult following specially because of the music and the strong cast of Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan and Madhuri Dixit. Each of the three leads delivers some brilliant acting that keeps the audience glued till the end. Saajan is a story of a love triangle with tons of emotion and drama.
2. Maine Pyar Kiya
Setting a record at it's time as the film winning the most number of Filmfare Awards (seven), Maine Pyar Kiya saw the debut of Salman Khan in a lead role and introduced a new heart-throb to the Indian Cinema goers. Maine Pyar Kiya is a musical romantic drama, with the love story of Prem (Salman Khan) and Suman (Bhayashree) and the ordeals they face to get together being the central plot of the movie. Bhagyashree looks very sweet and gorgeous as Suman, Aloknath delivers another beauty in his perennial Kanyadan role, Laxmikanth Berde provides the comedy and Salman steals the rest of the show. I am a big fan of this movie.
1. Tere Naam
This is unanimously accepted as Salman Khan's best acting performance till date. He is brilliant in his role as an obsessive lover futile in his quest. His portrayal of the rowdy Radhe Mohan and his journey of love and despair is yet unmatched on the Bollywood silver screen. A brilliant , daring and gut-wrenching movie with great cast, nice music and excellent direction. This film is supposedly based on a true story and remake of the Tamil film - Sethu. This movie is a must watch for all.
