The success of 'Saajan' and 'Karan Arjun' reconfirmed his status as the industry's "next big thing".

After a couple of years of modest accomplishments, 1994 saw the release of "Hum Aapke Hain Kaun", his second venture with director Sooraj Barjatya after 'MPK'. It was among the biggest hits of that decade and was perhaps the first Bollywood movie to do well overseas.

The film got Salman a lot of accolades besides establishing him as one of the industry's most "bankable" stars.

Since then, he has belted out one big hit after another. Over the years, he has given several successful performances in 'Judwaa', 'Pyar Kiya to Darna Kya', 'Biwi No 1', 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', 'Mujhse Shaadi Karogi', 'No Entry' and 'Partner'.

Besides commercial successes, he has also been critically acclaimed for his stellar performances as an obsessive lover in 'Tere Naam' and as a HIV positive patient in 'Phir Milenge'.

Controversy's favourite child, Salman, is currently on bail in a black buck shooting case in Jodhpur and also a hit-and-run case in Mumbai. But the actor has never responded to criticism -- whether it was the court cases or controversies related to his personal relationships.

After being almost written off by film pundits, Salman made a comeback with 'Tere Naam', where he played a man obsessively in love with a simple village girl.

This tragic love story of the man with a heart of gold was viewed by audiences as an extension of his real-life story and reclaimed Salman's place in the industry and the hearts of audiences.

... contd.