Salman Khan’s 60th milestone birthday: A look at blockbuster journey of ‘The Sultan of Bollywood’

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan celebrated his 60th birthday on December 27, 2025, surrounded by family, close friends, fans, and paparazzi at his Panvel farmhouse. Social media was soon flooded with videos from the midnight celebration and heartfelt wishes, underscoring his vast fan following and enduring stardom.

Related Story: Salman Khan turns 60 in style: Panvel Farmhouse hosts an emotional midnight bash, watch

Salman’s journey remains one of the most commercially impactful in Bollywood history. From redefining romance in the 1990s to ruling mass action cinema in the 2010s, he has delivered blockbusters across generations - a rare feat achieved by only a select few. 

On his special day, here’s a look at the films through which Salman Khan built his enduring legacy.

1. Maine Pyar Kiya (1989)- The Romantic Sensation

Salman Khan’s breakthrough film became a Blockbuster, running for over 50 weeks in theatres. His portrayal of Prem made him a national heartthrob and announced the arrival of a superstar.

2. Saajan (1991) - Musical Romance Blockbuster

One of the biggest hits of the early 1990s, Saajan starred Salman alongside Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit. Its music became iconic, and the film emerged as a Blockbuster, strengthening Salman’s romantic image.

3. Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) - An All-Time Blockbuster

A landmark in Indian cinema, this film shattered every existing box-office record. Salman’s charming Prem became synonymous with family values, weddings, and festive cinema.

4. Karan Arjun (1995) - Mass Entertainer Classic

The reincarnation revenge saga featuring Salman and Shah Rukh Khan was one of the highest-grossing films of 1995, cementing Salman’s mass appeal.

5. Wanted (2009)- Salman’s Action Breakthrough 

Wanted roared into cinemas, transforming Salman Khan into an unstoppable action icon, blending raw intensity, mass appeal, and swagger- a blockbuster that redefined his stardom and launched a powerful action-era.

6. Dabangg (2010) - Chulbul Pandey Is Born 

Salman’s transformation into the fearless and witty cop Chulbul Pandey revived his superstardom in the 2010s. The film became a Blockbuster and launched a successful franchise. 

7. Ready (2011) - Festive Crowd-Pleaser 

Packed with comedy, action, and chart-topping music, Ready became one of the biggest hits of 2011 and further strengthened Salman’s Eid box-office dominance.

8. Bodyguard (2011) - Record-Breaking Opener 

Bodyguard shattered opening-day records and became a Blockbuster, showcasing Salman’s ability to blend romance with mass action appeal.

9. Ek Tha Tiger (2012) - The Spy Icon Emerges 

Salman’s portrayal of RAW agent Tiger marked a major shift in his career. The film became one of the highest-grossing films of 2012 and launched the YRF Spy Universe.

10. Dabangg 2 (2012) - Franchise Success 

Continuing the Chulbul Pandey saga, Dabangg 2 delivered another Blockbuster, proving the strength of Salman-led franchises. 

11. Kick (2014) - ₹200-Crore Phenomenon 

With Kick, Salman entered the ₹200-crore club in India. The action-comedy emerged as one of the biggest hits of his career.

Also Read: Kick 2 BUZZ: Akshaye Khanna joining Salman Khan, Kriti Sanon replacing Jacqueline Fernandez? Know the truth

12. Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) - Emotional Magnum Opus 

Combining emotion, simplicity, and social harmony, Bajrangi Bhaijaan became a global sensation and one of the highest-grossing Hindi films ever.

13. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) - Festive Family Triumph 

Salman’s reunion with Sooraj Barjatya delivered another grand family entertainer that performed exceptionally well across domestic and overseas markets.

14. Sultan (2016) - Power, Pain, and Redemption 

Salman’s physically demanding role as a wrestler won audience approval and massive box-office numbers, making Sultan one of Indian cinema’s biggest earners.

15. Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) - Action at Its Peak 

The sequel raised the stakes with global action and emotional depth, becoming one of Salman’s highest-grossing films worldwide.

16. Tiger 3 (2023) - Franchise Endurance 

Though not matching earlier Tiger films’ historic numbers, Tiger 3 still emerged as a commercial success, reaffirming the longevity of Salman’s most popular character.

Looking Ahead: The Sultan Still Commands the Crowd

While Salman Khan’s recent films have struggled to recreate his golden-era dominance, his fan following remains unwavering. Expectations are high for his upcoming project Battle Of Galwan, which marks a shift toward a more intense and patriotic narrative.

Must Read: Salman Khan thanked fans for 'accepting him' after 'Maine Pyar Kiya' success, promised to...Check handwritten letter

Simultaneously, the buzz around Kick 2 and a potential Bajrangi Bhaijaan sequel has reignited excitement across trade circles and among fans.

At 60, Salman Khan’s journey is not just about box-office verdicts - it is about longevity, mass connect, and cultural impact, ensuring that The Sultan of Bollywood continues to rule hearts across generations.