Salman Khan…just hearing his name brings a smile to many a fans faces. They think back to all the wonderful roles he has done and how they fall in love with him right along with the heroine. To celebrate the release of Ready and the magic that is Salman Khan we polled our writers to see when they fell in love with him. With answers of one line to what could be a whole dissertation check out which films, roles or scenes made us dream of being romanced by Prem aka Salman Khan!
Judwaa (1997) where he played a double role. I loved his naughty character, and the one song that comes to mind is ‘Tan Tana Tan’ where one of his characters dances in a prison cell! (I was a teen when this came out) and I swear I thought I would marry him one day….as did hundred thousands of girls around the world!)
I could write on more songs, but I’m restraining myself – Sheetal M
I admit it took a while until I liked Salman. The first film he really impressed me in was Khamoshi, but I definitely discovered my soft spot for him in Chal Mere Bhai when I enjoyed the loveable brother chemistry between him and Sanjay Dutt. – Ingrid
I fall in love with Salman Khan every time I see his films – be it ‘Karan’ in Karan Arjun – any of his numerous characterisations of ‘Prem’ or his man from the other side of the tracks ‘Radhey’, but I think the film that did it for me was his re-introduction into the film industry as a lead – Maine Pyar Kiya. His listening to his then friend Suman and putting out the cigarette, using the same formula Suman used to stop Suman’s tears, the sax solo and then the scene that really got me – the climax when he is being beaten up after having worked all month to get Rs 3000, and the fact he was willing to go back out there and earn it all over again when he was told that the bet was incomplete. Why I fell in love with Salman – Simple – I don’t think anyone else could have done that role. There was an innocence that was required by that role, as well as a certain amount of cheekiness and attitude and Salman has that in droves, which is what makes him perfect. You could put him in practically any role from the soft spoken and polite Prem in HSSH to Radhey in Tere Naam, he makes it work in his own unique style – akhir Salman nay ‘ek baar jo commitment kardi phir who apni bhi nahin sunta.‘ if you get my drift. – Rima
It’s not only me but my whole family loves Salman Khan. For me it was first Andaz Apna Apna, Judwaa and then Maine Pyar Kiya. I love his comic sense, it’s soo spot on and so timeless and funny. Just a simple ‘Aui Maa!’ has me in splits. My mother specially loves the way he dances. Generally, it starts off with dance steps taught by the choreographer and then ends with this mix of ‘dance’ steps concocted by SK. Even as a TV show host he outdoes himself. The only reason why my family watched Dus ka Dum or Bigg Boss was because of Salman Khan. – Trupti
May surprise many, but I fell in love with Sallu again when I saw WANTED!! – Prateeksha
For me, it was after watching ‘Tere Naam’. His performance was beautifully heart-wrenching and highlighted the vulnerability behind his otherwise tough exterior. I was also somehow convinced that it was his most honest performance possibly because ironically this movie happened around his break-up with Ash. –Pooja
Jaan – E – Maan and Mujhse Shaadi Karoge… Up until then as a newbie to Hindi films, I had avoided Sallu because I thought he was just a thug. These two movies convinced me, rapidly that he is HILARIOUS – the dinner scene in MSK, where Sallu is trying so hard to impress Amrish Puri and it all goes horribly wrong when he insists on opening the champagne himself – it cracks me up EVERY TIME. Plus, in Jaan-E-Mann he dresses up as Elvis. That was always gonna win my heart. – Vanessa
All of my earliest memories of Indian Cinema mostly feature Salman Khan. Naturally, my life’s chronology runs parallel to Salman Khan’s filmography. However, I cannot pinpoint the exact moment that I fell in love with Salman Khan. I believe it’s a beginning-less and endless love. That being said, I have countless moments where I have fallen in love with Salman all over again. Here is my top 5 falling-in-love-with-Salman-Khan moments. Beware: some of these are really nonsensical.
1. Every time he says the word ‘pratishat‘ (percentage) on Dus Ka Dum my heart does a somersault in my chest.
2. In Hum Saath Saath Hai when he character, Prem whispers to Sonali’s character, Preeti , ‘Halwa bahut aacha bana tha. Dobara zaroor banana.‘ As a cooking enthusiast if this scene ever happened to me, my knees would turn to jelly and I would crumble to the ground.
3. In Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge when Raja asks Sapna, “Why can’t you ever talk nicely to anyone?” in a intimidating way. She runs away from him while replying, “I can, but I don’t because I do not feel the need to do so.” The way he smiles at the sight of her running away is priceless.
4. Every waking moment of Lucky,because Salman Khan’s portrayal of Aditya Sekhri just re-defined the phrase ‘Knight in shining armour’ and in doing so every fairytale love story I ever knew.
5. A tie between:
a. His entry scene in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai as the start of the song ‘Sajan-ji Ghar Aaye‘ is breathtaking.
b. In Hum Aapke Hai Kaun when Prem and Nisha are racing to get hold of the groom’s shoes and Prem literally twists Nisha’s arm to get the shoes, but at the end backs off and lets her win. The mischievous/adorable look on his face is to-die-for. – Sheetal T
I definitely loved Salman in his cameo on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. He was such a wonderful addiction because his character was so understanding. It made the rest of the film even more special. – Adriana
He has such an amazing screen presence and I loved him in Hum Apke Hain Kaun, but for me it is always the quieter moments of Salman Khan that make me sigh. When he lets go and is feeling so much and you can feel it right along with him. The last scene on the stage in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam it was pyaar at first sight. – Stacey
As you can see as many characters he has played there are as many or more ways he has made us fall in love! We are ready, so ready to see how he romances Asin in Ready, and to add another moment to our list. Ready is in theaters tomorrow!
