Salman Khan born as Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan on 27 December 1965) is an Indian film actor. He has starred in more than 80 Hindi films.

Khan, who made his acting debut with a minor role in the drama Biwi Ho To Aisi (1988), had his first commercial success with the blockbuster Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), for which he won a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut. He went on to star in some successful Hindi films of those times, such as Saajaan (1991), Hum Aapke hain Koun..! (1994), Karan Arjun (1995), Judwaa (1997), Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) and Biwi No.1 (1999), having appeared in the highest earning films of seven separate years during his career.

In 1999, Khan won a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his extended appearance in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), and since then has starred in several critical and commercial successes, including Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999), Tere Naam (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), No Entry (2005), Partner (2007), Wanted (2009), Dabaang (2010), Ready (2011) and Bodyguard (2011), which has become the second highest grossing Bollywood film of all time. Khan has thus established himself as one of the most successful actors of Hindi cinema.

Khan is the eldest son of screenwriter Salim Khan and his first wife Salma (Sushila Charak). His paternal grandfather was a Muslim from Afghanistan who came to India and settled in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, whereas his mother is a Marathi Hindu. He himself had once said that he is “half Muslim and half Hindu”. His stepmother is Helen, a former actress, who has co-starred with him in a few films. He has two brothers, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, and two sisters, Alvira and Arpita. Alvira is married to actor/director Atul Agnihotri.

The world renowned celebrity has founded a Foundation called ‘Being Human’ which aims to  go towards spreading education and healthcare for the underprivileged. Main activities of the foundation include: Being Human Art; Being Human merchandise; and Being Human Gitanjali Gold Coins.   Proceeds from these activities of these initiatives go towards spreading education and healthcare for the underprivileged.

The actor told a newspaper that his charity, which supports educational and medical projects for underprivileged children in Mumbai, came out of the desire to pay it forward.

“When you realise you’re making so much and you know you haven’t earned all of it yourself and that you’ve not worked for it as much as others have and that destiny played an important role, I guess you feel the need to be appreciative. And the need to give your token of appreciation to God,” the newspaper quoted him as saying.