Article by Abhishek Sharma
Salman Khan made his debut about 2 and half decades ago in Biwi Ho To Aisi, where he had a supporting role to play. Since then, he has featured in more than 75 films (including special appearances). His acting talent has always been under-rated, but what you simply cannot argue, is the fact that he is one of the most successful superstars India has ever seen.
Here is my list of Salman Khan’s Top 10 Performances
1. Tere Naam: Salman put his heart-n-soul into the character of Radhey Mohan in Tere Naam. The movie came at a time when his career was quickly sliding and brought him back into reckoning. Although the film wasn’t one his biggest hits commercially, it remains his most liked and acclaimed performance.
2. Dabangg: It was a close call between Dabangg and Tere Naam as Salman lived the character of Chulbul Pandey to the fullest. Humor, Anger, Romance.. it was a prefect blend of every emotion. The commercial success of Dabangg was also the turning point of his career after a prolonged lean patch.
3. Hum Aapke Hain Kaun: These kind of boy-next-door roles are actually very tough to enact because there is a very thin line, which if crossed might look pretty awkward or unconvincing on screen (like Hrithik Roshan in Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon). But Salman played the iconic character of Prem with ease and looked every bit the character.
4. Judwaa: This was the movie that started his partnership with David Dhawan and they both went on to work in several hits over the last decade. Both the characters – Tapori Raja and the nice guy Prem – were poles apart from each other. And Salman was at his best here. Unfortunately, he won’t be a part of the sequel.
5. Maine Pyaar Kiya: This is were it all started for Salman Khan. Under Sooraj Barjatya’s brilliant direction, Salman was raw and lovable. Considering the fact that this movie was only his 2nd release, his performance was superb. He fitted the role to the T and Maine Pyaar Kiya made him an overnight superstar.
6. Wanted: Salman looked at ease with action in the remake of Pokkiri and played both the rowdy as well as the officer’s part very well. Action scenes were brilliantly done. Although Wanted wasn’t as successful as Dabangg, it started the trend of south remakes and action entertainers in Bollywood (along with Aamir’s Ghajini of course)
7. Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam: This movie boasts of some power packed performances by all it’s lead stars – Ajay Devgan and Aishwarya Rai were terrific, but Salman was a stand-out. His chemistry with Aishwarya was electrifying, arguably the best he has shared with any of his leading ladies. The off-screen relationship that the two shared during the time, translated into beautiful chemistry on screen.
8. Biwi No. 1: The portrayal of a infidel husband, caught between his loyal wife and an attractive girlfriend, with elements of comedy was done perfectly by Salman in this David Dhawan directed entertainer. The movie went on to become the biggest hit of the year.
9. Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai: Salman played the role of a brat and then a responsible father with utmost conviction. The character was tailor made for him and left a lasting impression. The Deepak Sareen directed film also featured Twinkle Khanna.
10. Jaan-e-Mann: This is one of my personal favorites, simply because it didn’t do too well at the box-office. I still wonder why the movie failed to make a mark, but for me this is one of the best emotional performances by Salman, ever!
So there it is, that’s my list of Salman Khan’s Best 10 performances. More than the film’s popularity and success, the list is based on his on-screen histrionics, which is the reason why some of his biggest hits are ranked lower. Also I pondered a lot but found it hard to include Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Andaz Apna Apna, Karan Arjun, No Entry, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi or Saajan as these movies had some solid performances by his other male co-stars.
Some of his other noteworthy performances that didn’t make it to the Top 10 list were Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Khamoshi , Pyaar Kiya to Darna Kya and Garv.
Do give your views and your own Top 10 list. Any other performance which you consider was worthy enough to make it to the list?
agar kuch kuch hota hai salman ki film thi toh BEST ACTOR shahrukh khan ko kyun mila?
THESE SALLU LALLU FANS ARE SO ILLITERATE.
I hope Ek Tha Tiger will surely find a place in this list once it is released. Fingers crossed :).
Most of all above are flops haha
I present the detailed box office analysis of SRK,Salman and Aamir from 1992-2011 in India and overseas.All data taken from boxofficeindia.com.SRK was ahead in 1992(Deewana),1993(Baazigar),1995(DDLJ),1997(DTPH),1998(KKHH),2000(Mohabb.),2001(K3g),2002(Devdas),2003(KHNH),2004(Veer Zaara),2007(OSO). Salman was ahead in 1994(HAHK),1999(HSSH),2005(No entry),2010(Dabangg),2011(Bodyguard). Aamir was ahead in 1996(Raja Hin.),2006(Fanaa),2008(Ghajini),2009(3 Idiots).So SRK is ahead in 11 years, Salman in 5 years and Aamir in 4 years.In overseas Salman was ahead in 1994(HAHK),1999(HDDCS),Aamir was ahead in 1996(Raja Hin.),2009(3 Idiots) while SRK was ahead in 1995,1997,1998,2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2010,2011.So SRK is ahead in 14 years while Aamir and Salman are ahead in 2 years.If anybody has any doubt about this data log on to boxofficeindia.com.So SRK is a clear winner in India(11:5:4) while there is no comparison in overseas(14:2:2).In India SRK has 2 ATB,Salman has 3 ATB and Aamir 3 ATB.In overseas SRK has 9 ATB,Salman and Aamir have 1 ATB.SRK is nominated for 20 times for filmfare best actor and has won 8 times,a record he shares with Dilip Kumar.Aamir is nominated for 17 times and has won 2 times.Salman is nominated for 5 times and never won any award.I hope every one will appreciate this information.Thanks Indicine.
Hi Arjun,
I appreciate you and thank you for this info. But my opinion differs in some sections of the above post.
In 2001, when Lagaan and Dil Chahta Hai came, I think Aamir should be ahead of all. And also, if in a year one person has given the biggest hit of the year, this does not mean that others are behind.
Like 2001, we can take example of 1998. Your info says KKHH is the biggest hit , which it is, and so SRK was ahead of others. But lets look at it from this angle now. SRK had Duplicate, Dil Se and KKHH that year iut of which KKHH was the only success. Whereas Salman had Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota hai, Bandhan and also a guest appearance in KKHH. All of the these movies were successful.So definitely Salman was ahead in 1998.
So its the way you look at it.
Regards,
Abhishek Sharma
Tere Naam is Salmans best performance.
He did it brilliant in that movie and played the role as professionals. But agree that he maybe thinks more about his look and not about his acting.
Tere Naam, Wanted, Bodyguard and Ready = Super Movies.
Andaaz Apna Apna
Rangeela
Raja Hindustani
Sarfarosh
Dil Chahata hai
Laagan
Rang de Basanti
Fanna
Ghajini
3 idiots
@ Irfan I am not a salaman fan my fav Aamir khan
SALMAN AND SRK… ARE 2 kings of bollywood… one does acting and other makes money… one is action hero and other is romantic… 50% ppl like action and 50% ppl like romance…. sooo they BOTH rule Bollywood… LOVE U SALMAN ND SRK… :)
Here is my list of his best performances. By now I can easily say he is the most underrated actor in b-town.
1) tere naam – his best
2) Kyou ki- wonderfully emotional
3) andaaz apna apna- he matched aamir step by step though still aamir was the scene stealer
4) Maine pyar kiya- a beautiful portrayal of innocent care free lover
5) Karan Arjun- srk was good but salman was better
6) saajan- he well complemented Sanju
6) jaaneman- he was the soul of this movie
7)dabangg- fabulous
8)judwaa -excellent comedy
9)wanted-most wanted
10)hum dil de chuke sanam- suits him 2 tea
@nish all the movie u r talking are sympathy based movie.making movie on physically or mentally challanged topic and patriotism is much safer for getting critical aclaim.for this remember khamoshi and phir milenge
ETT will be another Agent Vinod :D
Praveen beta kuch kuch hota hai.srk ki movie hai.sallu ka to bus gest roll tha par tup jaise dehati gavar kisi ka naam kisi ka kaam aur kisi ka saaman churake apna batae hai.karan johar agar srk ko movie me roll deta hai to sirf lead roll deta hai phir tu kaise bol raha hai ki kuch kuch hota hai salman ki movie hai.salman to interval ke bahot baad entry leta hai.
Hmmm. Weird that no body is mentioning Veer. It was a nice movie and a nice performance by Salman. I think Salman is the only current star that has carried movies despite pathetic plots and dubious performance (Ready) Although Dabangg would be a close second
LONDON DREAMZ
mera beta Aki ka baap kaun hai mujhe nahi pata.kyon ke mere ghar pe raat ko bahot sare mard aate the.
Srk is the best her0
what about phir milenge?
agr acting ki bat ki jay to salman ne 4-5 filmo me hi achhi acting ki h….jisme se TERE NAAM me behtareen performance h, then VEER, DABBANG n WANTED me achhi acting h.
1. TERE NAAM
2. VEER
3. DABBANG
4. WANTED
Maine pyaar kiya?! Jaaneman?!! Hum dil de choke sanam?! No no, his acting wasn’t good in these films, he was good in Wanted and Phir Melenge which u didn’t mention, for me Phir Melenge well top them all and also Biwi No 1, loved his acting I’m this film too
@praveen who told u Mohanlal acts only in serious movies?may be u didnt watch his comedy films.Mohanlal is someone who could act any kind of roles.i know this is not about Mohanlal,but i have to coz he is one of my fav.
@Abhishek, can you tell me why Andaaz Apna APna is not included in the list? So what if you think Aamir’s performance was better? If you do not include outstanding performances, just because there was another very good performance in the film, then I am sorry to say, your list is flawed.
Let’s say the female lead performs better than the male (like Kajol in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), then going by your logic, the actor’s performance shouldn’t even be considered.
Edit your list and include AAA, its one of Salman’s BEST performances. I liked it more than Aamir’s as it had a lot of innocence and charm.
Also, like Fathiya said, if boxoffice was not your criteria then Phir Milenge should have been included.
Also I liked his performance in garv and karan arjun.
Hi Shastri,
It is not only that the other male actor has performed better so I have not included Salman’s name.
In that case Ajay’s performance in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Anil’s in Biwi No. 1 was also outstanding.
But it is my personal opinion that Salman’s comedy timing has improved a lot after Andaz Apna Apna and his performance in comic roles like Judwaa, Biwi No.1 , Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Maine Pyaar Kyon Kiya was much better.
Phir Milenge was also considered while making the list but other’s superceded.
@ Fathiya: Wanted and Biwi No 1 are very much in the list.
Regards,
Abhishek Sharma
Oh forgot the movie London Dreams.. Salman’s acting was good in this film too, I don’t think that they measure the performance of any actor by the box office collection because Jaaneman was an average film..right.. and it’s mentioned above in the list? it wasn’t a hit movie.
For me his best as follows:
1) Phir Melenge
2) London Dreams
3) Wanted
4) Biwi No. 1
Nothing special in his acting in other movies.
I somehow feel your analysis is wonderful. I became fan of yours, Indicine reviewer. May i know who you are and your address. I want to keep in touch with you. If you are a boy, i want to be your girlfriend, if not your friend.. if none of the above, Ignore please
You forgot Kyun Ki.
Anyway, Tere Naam is his best.
My friend Abhishek I have named the no. 1 star in a year on the basis of the no.1 film at the box office.Opinions can be subjective but box office is the ultimate king. You talked about Lagaan and Dil chahta hai.DCH was average at the box office.Lagaan grossed 52 crores and was a hit.But Gadar grossed 130.50 crores and is an all time blockbuster.Its footfalls were around 4 crores which is the highest after Sholay.So if you think that aamir is the no.1 star thats your opinion.You also forgot K3G which was a blockbuster.In 1998 Salman gave three successes in Pyar kiya to..,Jab Pyar.. and Bandhan.But the collections of these movies combined is less than KKHH. So how Salman is no.1.And if you think that KKHH was a Salman movie then it is a biggest joke than Munaf patel making a test ton.You have to accept the box office and the actor who gives the no.1 film of the year is the no.1 actor and whosever gets the award is immaterial.I have nothing against Salman but the fact is that he has never given an award winning performance in his career apart from Tere Naam.He is a great entertainer no doubt.Everybody has his own opinion and I respect your views.Thank You.
HIS ROLE AS AS THE PUNJABI IN LONDON DREAMS IS MY FAV