Salman Khan: From ‘bad boy’ to reigning ‘bhai’

Critics feel that the people’s perception of the pin-up boy has changed over the years.

A still from “Dabangg”. Salman Khan has reinvented himself in the last decade. Photo: Special Arrangement

From being labelled as a ‘bad boy’ of Bollywood to the reigning superstar, Salman Khan’s meteoric rise in the film industry has been turbulent as well as rewarding.

The 49-year-old actor, who was on Wednesday convicted by a court here of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, is the second big star from the Mumbai film industry, after Sanjay Dutt, to get embroiled in a high-profile criminal case in recent years. Best known for his roles in Maine Pyar Kiya , Hum Aapke Hain Koun , Karan Arjun , Judwaa , Pyar Kiya to Darna Kiya and Hum Saath Saath Hain , Salman has reinvented himself in the last decade.

Critics feel that the people’s perception of the pin-up boy has changed over the years: from being a bad boy, he is a person who is liked by all. Salman had his share of tiffs with the media when he got into a scuffle with photo journalists on the sets of

Sanam Bewafa in the 90s. Subsequently, a few film magazines banned him. However, even his critics have been unanimous that Salman, who has been romantically involved with many actresses, has a heart of gold. “He is the most obedient son,” says a senior film journalist.

“The year 2002-03 was a bad one for the actor. Over the years, he has changed a lot as a person and mellowed,” said a journalist, who has interacted closely with Salman.

The actor also received several awards. Maine Pyar Kiya , his second film released in 1989, fetched him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut.

Salman is now careful about what he does and not reckless as he was earlier, says an industry insider. The 2007 film

Wanted , two seasons of his TV show ‘Dus Ka Dum’, another reality show ‘Bigg Boss’ and his NGO ‘Being Human’ brought about many positive changes in his personal image and professional career.

Salman, who returned from Srinagar on Tuesday after wrapping up the shooting of Bajrangi Bhaijaan , was present when the verdict was delivered by judge D.W. Deshpande.

An investment of about Rs. 200 crore is riding on him with under-production films Bajrangi Bhaijaan , which stars Kareena Kapoor, and Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo, opposite Sonam Kapoor, and a couple of endorsements.