This is the Xplorely desk’s own selection of ten Salman Khan films, listed in release order. It is not a ranking and not an official or box-office list. Facts come from the Wikipedia article for each film; where Wikipedia’s own figures conflict, we say so or leave the number out.
Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)
Directed by Sooraj Barjatya in his directorial debut, with Bhagyashree as co-star. It was Khan’s first lead role and won him the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. Wikipedia describes it as the biggest grosser of 1989, though its sources give differing totals.
Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994)
A family drama directed by Sooraj Barjatya, with Madhuri Dixit as co-star. It was released on 5 August 1994 and won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Wikipedia describes it as the highest-grossing Indian film at its release.
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Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and released on 18 June 1999, with Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn. Khan plays Sameer, a musician. The film won Best Film at the 45th Filmfare Awards among seven wins there.
Tere Naam (2003)
Directed by Satish Kaushik, released on 15 August 2003, and the Hindi remake of the Tamil film Sethu (1999). Bhumika Chawla made her Hindi debut as the lead actress. Wikipedia lists a worldwide gross of about 24.54 crore on a budget of about 10 crore and calls it a moderate commercial success.
Dabangg (2010)
Directed by Abhinav Kashyap in his debut and released on 10 September 2010. Khan plays police officer Chulbul Pandey, with Sonakshi Sinha as lead actress. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and Sinha won the Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. Two sequels followed, Dabangg 2 (2012) and Dabangg 3 (2019).
Ek Tha Tiger (2012)
Directed by Kabir Khan and released on 15 August 2012, with Katrina Kaif. Khan plays RAW agent Avinash “Tiger†Singh Rathore, who falls for an ISI agent. It began the Tiger series, followed by Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Tiger 3 (2023).
Kick (2014)
Directed by Sajid Nadiadwala in his directorial debut, released on 25 July 2014, with Jacqueline Fernandez and Nawazuddin Siddiqui. It is a remake of the 2009 Telugu film Kick.
Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015)
Directed by Kabir Khan and released on 17 July 2015. Khan plays Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi, who takes a mute Pakistani girl, played by Harshaali Malhotra, back to her family. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Nawazuddin Siddiqui also star. It won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. Wikipedia gives its worldwide gross as 918 crore in one place and 969.9 crore in another, so we do not quote a single figure.
Sultan (2016)
Written and directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and released on 6 July 2016, with Anushka Sharma and Randeep Hooda. Khan plays a wrestler from Rewari, Haryana, who returns to the ring for a mixed martial arts tournament. Wikipedia gives an estimated worldwide gross of about 623 crore as of September 2018.
Tiger Zinda Hai (2017)
Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar and released on 22 December 2017, the sequel to Ek Tha Tiger. Katrina Kaif returns. The story follows Tiger and RAW’s effort to rescue nurses held hostage in Iraq. Wikipedia lists a worldwide gross of roughly 564 to 569 crore across its sections, so treat the exact figure as approximate.
