Born on December 27, 1965, Salman Khan's birth name is Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan. He completed his schooling from St. Stanislaus High School in Bandra. Salman went to Mumbai's St. Xavier's College but dropped out. Salman Bhai, as he is fondly called by fans and his friends, is one of the most loved actors of the nation. The actor, who made his debut as with Biwi Ho Toh Aisi in 1988, has been over 30 years in the film industry. (All photos: mid-day archives)

In picture: Dharmendra with Salman Khan and Sohail Khan on the sets of Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya.

Salman Khan had shared the screen space with Rekha in his debut film, Biwi Ho Toh Aisi (1988), wherein, he played the actress' younger brother-in-law. Though Salman's role wasn't much noticed by the audience, it was his second film Maine Pyar Kiya that made him an instant favourite among fans.

In picture: Salman Khan with the late legendary actor-filmmaker Dev Anand.

Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), also starring Bhagyashree, Mohnish Bahl, Alok Nath and Reema Lagoo, became one of Highest Indian grosser till date.

In picture: Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Salman Khan and other Bollywood celebs during a film promotion.

In 1990, Salman Khan gave another Box Office hit with Baaghi: A rebel for love. Salman Khan's hit films in the mid-90s era were - Saajan, Andaz Apna Apna (cult classic), Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Karan Arjun. He had become one of the most loved actors in Bollywood.

In picture: Sanjay Dutt, Salman Khan, Prem Chopra, Bobby Deol and Rani Mukerji (seated).

Talking about stardom, Salman Khan had said in an interview with mid-day, 'To reach the top, you need to have certain qualities. Aamir is fantastic at his work. Look at how he pulled off an action film, Ghajini. Shah Rukh has amazing romantic intensity. Amitabh Bachchan is the most professional, most hardworking man even now. Akshay Kumar has a tremendous, horse-like focus. Ajay has got his own charm, his own audience. For middle and lower-middle-class audiences, the only entertainment is the cinema. Going to the movies is like a picnic. If we can't entertain them, give them value for their money.'

In picture: Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt at an event. The duo has appeared together in 'Saajan', 'Chal Mere Bhai' and many other Bollywood films.

In the late 90s, Salman Khan gave a mixture of commercially flop, but critically lauded vs commercially hit but critically panned films such as Khamoshi: The Musical, Judwaa, Auzar, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya, Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United, Biwi No.1 and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

In picture: Two peas in a pod? Salman Khan and the legendary Feroz Khan.

In the early 2000s, Salman Khan's alleged relationship with actress Aishwarya Rai became a heated topic in the media. However, the duo split on a bitter note.

In picture: A bare-chested Salman shooting for an ad campaign.

Talking about his angry nature, Salman Khan had said in an interview, 'Anger is still within me. Anger is what keeps you alive. What's a man without anger, without passion? If I didn't have it, I would be thanda, na? I might be using it in a more positive manner now, but I am happy that I have that anger inside me, that's what gives me the push and takes me places.'

In picture: Sanjay Dutt and frequent co-star Salman Khan are best friends.

Talking about his image in the media, Salman Khan, who has a love-hate relationship with media, was quoted saying to a journalist, 'To get your TRPs, you'll twist it around. The job of being cautious is not ours. The responsibility lies at your end. Just so your magazine or TV channel can make some money, you can't use bits and pieces from someplace and turn things around. You know that you're doing it, and despite that, you do it.'

In picture: Salman Khan with Aamir Khan in 'Andaz Apna Apna'.

'If I've said something wrong, and you believe this is going to create trouble, why would you put that up? In fact, it's your duty as a journalist to tell me, 'Yaar, Salman, this is actually a wrong thing, and this is how it should be.' Your job is to bring people together (through) your star. Unless he's (the star is) corrupt, casteist, communal, stealing from people, then you can bajao me,' he added.

In picture: Salman Khan performing at an awards event.

In the mid-2000s, Salman Khan started seeing a low phase in his career. About his downfall, Salman said, 'There was a time I wasn't getting the best of films. I was only doing films from the best I got offered. Even though you work hard on those films, there's the producer and director who don't let you do much. That was a disheartening time for me.'

In picture: Salman Khan with Sridevi. Both have starred together in 'Chandra Mukhi' and 'Chaand Ka Tukdaa'.

He further added, 'My creativity at that point in time was more like 'koi ghont raha hai mujhe (someone's choking me)'. As it is I've picked a script that I think will be an average film. If they let me work on it, at least I could take it to the next level. That didn't happen for me. I got fed up one day and said I'd rather not work at all. But then I realised, if I don't work, how will I survive? So I went about it like a daily 9 to 5 job.'

In picture: Salman Khan with his 'Baaghi' co-star Nagma.

'And then I saw one film (of mine), and felt this is really not working, man: 'Yeh ek baar chhap gaya (It's in print once), it's going to be there for life.' That's when I got my act together, said now whatever I do, I won't do it for the money, or that I have dates (available on my diary), or a friend is a director/producer. I would do a movie only for scripts. If I don't get those scripts for the longest, I'll do stage shows, TV, but I will not do a film. No way!,' Salman said.

In picture: Nagma with Salman Khan. The jodi reunited on-screen by making a cameo in 'Chal Mere Bhai'.

'That said, my dad (screenwriter Salim Khan) once asked me during that phase: 'You're the highest paid actor in India, but how much money do you think you have?' We went into the numbers, and he said that today, if there's a medical emergency in the family, and if money can save the person, we would not have the funds to make it happen. Because, after all the court cases, lawyer fees, etc, money used to come, and the same money used to go. Coming, going, coming, going, It started from magistrate court, then sessions court, then High Court, then Supreme Court, 20 years, bro! And people are thinking: Look at this upstart, he's romancing the hottest women, smiling (on screen). Arre, that's my job!,' he said.

In picture: Salman Khan with Shah Rukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit.

After Aishwarya Rai, Salman Khan was in an alleged relationship with Katrina Kaif for several years. However, the couple split in 2010, though they continue to remain close friends till date.

In picture: Salman Khan pictured here with Subhash Ghai starred in the filmmaker's 2008 directorial 'Yuvvraaj'.

Salman Khan had also dated Sangeeta Bijlani, whom he was supposed to get married as well. But eventually broke up. Salman Khan had even dated Somy Ali.

In picture: Salman Khan with tennis ace Mahesh Bhupathi and Khushwant Singh.

Talking about love, Salman Khan was quoted in an interview, 'I don't believe in love at all. I don't think there's any reason for the word 'love' to exist. The word is 'need'. It depends on whose need is more. Or who you might need at some point. But she may not need you at all. This can also turn the other way round, when you don't need her sometimes. So, basically, the need has got to be equal at all times. Which may or may not happen.'

In picture: Salman Khan with brothers Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan. Salman is the eldest of the three.

'Then there is companionship, habit - that you've been together for so long - emotional connect, or the fact that both of you have flaws but you're aware of the larger picture, and that you're happy together. But 'love' is, essentially, need,' said Salman Khan.

In picture: Salman Khan and brother Sohail recently starred together in 'Tubelight'.

Salman Khan surprised everyone when at an event in 2009, he spoke about death and muttered few 'deep' and mind you, really deep thoughts around the emotion. Very unlikely of Khan, the actor was quoted saying, 'Death is a reality and birth is an accident. Death is a powerful entity it strips you of everything you came to the world with. Look at Alexander the Great he conquered the world and when he died, he died alone taking nothing with him. I think about that a lot.'

In picture: Salman Khan and Danny Denzongpa in a still from 'Buland'.

2009 marked a significant turning point in Khan's career. He starred in Wanted, which became a huge hit, followed by Dabangg in the consecutive year, Ready and Bodyguard in 2011, Ek Tha Tiger and Dabangg 2 in 2012, post which there was no looking back.

In picture: Salman and Sanjay Dutt in a still for 'Dus'.

Well, not just among movie lovers, Salman Khan has garnered altogether a different fan following among Television audience, thanks to his eight years long association with Bigg Boss, a reality show that Salman has been hosting since 2010 till date.

In picture: Salman Khan with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Raveena Tandon.

Salman Khan has been involved in several charities during his career. In 2007, Khan started an NGO called Being Human. The organisation sells T-shirts, bicycles and other products online and in stores and a portion of its revenue go to a worthy cause supporting the underprivileged.

In picture: Salman and his ex-girlfriend Somy Ali.

In picture: Salman and former sister-in-law Malaika Arora. Malaika was married to Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan.

Here's wishing Salman Khan more successful years in the Indian film industry