Salman Khan at 60: From Dus Ka Dum to Bigg Boss, how TV made him India’s favorite
As Salman Khan celebrates his 60th birthday, here’s a look back at his impressive TV career. His presence in shows like Bigg Boss has created a unique bond with fans and contestants.
There is something about watching Salman Khan on television that cinema alone can never achieve. On the big screen, he has always been larger than life – the worried lover, the angry policeman, the invincible hero. But on TV, Salman became ours – familiar, accessible and almost like the older cousin everyone listens to, even if they don’t want to admit it. And today on her 60th birthday, here’s a look at her TV career that brought her closer to her fans and made her the nation’s favorite darling.
When Salman came to Indian homes for the first time power of ten In 2008, he wasn’t trying to reinvent himself. He was, by his own admission, terrified. Television has the power to expose the real person behind the myth and Salman knew this. Years later, he openly admitted that the idea of being judged without a character’s protective shield disturbed him. His father, Salim Khan, had a simple and very honest advice: ‘If people accept you, then it’s good. If they don’t, at least you’ll know’. No one had anticipated how warmly India would respond to that vulnerability.
There is a lovely story that Salman once shared which perfectly captures the transformation TV has brought to his stardom. during shooting Desired A few months after his show was launched on TV in Panvel, he went out for his regular morning run. “That farmhouse has been there since i loved Was released, but suddenly an old woman came to me and said, ‘power of ten Happen?’ And during that eight kilometer run the whole city was taking pictures saying this.power of tenI felt very good that day and I also realized that people have forgotten my characters Prem, Raja, Arjun, Sameer and now know me by my real name,” he shared at the launch. power of ten 2 In 2018.
That acceptance and love became even stronger when he joined bigg boss 4 As host in 2010. Over the last 15 years, Salman has not only hosted the show; He has anchored it. Formats have changed, contestants have come and gone, controversies have arisen and ended, but the one uncompromising constant for the makers (and the audience) has been Salman Khan. It is often said in the industry that Bigg Boss It cannot be imagined without Salman and we completely agree with this. His presence isn’t just about ratings; It’s about authority, familiarity and trust. When Salman speaks, the room listens – contestants and viewers alike.
In recent seasons, that presence has taken on even greater importance. With increased security threats, Salman’s Bigg Boss The shoot has reportedly been wrapped in layers of security. No audience on set, bulletproof vehicles, restricted movement, limited rehearsals – yet when he comes on stage weekend attackThere doesn’t seem to be any tension in that. He tells jokes, exposes hypocrisy, and occasionally pauses to deliver a monologue that feels less like television and more like life experience. The ease with which he carries duality – vulnerability offstage, control onstage – is what sets him apart.
Salman has also used it Bigg Boss A platform to directly address inconvenient truths. When filmmaker Abhinav Kashyap recently accused him of professional interference, Salman did not avoid the topic. He talked about it publicly, directly, and chose to address the narrative rather than let it go unchecked. Similarly, when his Alexander When the director hinted that his late arrival might spoil the film production, Salman did not keep quiet. He made his stand clear and acknowledged the setbacks in his career with characteristic candor. He acknowledged failures, invoked the unpredictability of cinema and reminded audiences that even superstardom does not guarantee success.
That honesty has become his greatest strength on television. Unlike most stars who maintain their distance, Salman gives the audience a chance to see his ups and downs. He talks about discipline, loneliness, aging, professional regrets, and even his time in prison – not as sound bites, but as reflection. It’s these moments scattered between expulsions and arguments that make up Bigg Boss Feels less like a reality show and more like a weekly emotional check-in for millions of people.
Perhaps the clearest evidence of their attractiveness lies in the contestants themselves. Many people have openly, sometimes jokingly, sometimes honestly, admitted that they are stepping into Bigg Boss Home is also about being around Salman Khan. A conversation, a reprimand, or a word of encouragement from him often turns out to be an even bigger benefit than the trophy. For some, that brief exchange continues weekend attack Have career verification; For others, it’s a moment they’ll dwell on for years.
In an era where celebrities often feel manufactured, Salman’s television journey stands out because it feels lived-in. He hasn’t softened himself to fit into TV; TV has adopted him. Silences, awkward laughter, sharp rebukes, unexpected warmth – they all co-exist, just as they do in real life.
And perhaps that is why even after being in the headlines for decades, Salman Khan remains the most trusted face of television. Not because He is perfect, but because He exists. On that stage, amid applause and criticism week after week, Salman does not display his stardom, he shares it. And that, more than any format or fee, is why the nation still looks forward to them.
Happy 60th birthday, Salman Khan.
