Salim Khan

Born: 24 November 1935

Salim Khan is a legendary screenwriter, actor, and producer who fundamentally reshaped Hindi cinema during its most transformative era. Best known as one half of the iconic Salim–Javed duo alongside Javed Akhtar, Khan was instrumental in revolutionizing Bollywood storytelling in the 1970s. While Akhtar crafted razor-sharp dialogues, Khan developed compelling stories and characters that became the backbone of blockbuster after blockbuster. Together, they created cinematic magic with masterpieces like Sholay, Deewaar, Zanjeer, and the Don franchise—films that didn't just succeed commercially but fundamentally changed how Hindi films were made. They pioneered the "angry young man" archetype that became synonymous with Amitabh Bachchan's career, and their innovations in the dacoit western and action thriller genres set the template for decades to come. With six Filmfare Awards under his belt, Khan proved he was more than just a screenwriter; he was a visionary who earned his place among Indian cinema's most influential voices. Beyond his groundbreaking work in cinema, Salim Khan's legacy extends into the next generation of Bollywood royalty. He's the proud patriarch of a film dynasty that includes superstar son Salman Khan, versatile filmmaker Sohail Khan, actor Arbaaz Khan, and producer Alvira Khan Agnihotri. Khan's contributions to Bollywood go beyond the films he wrote—he fundamentally changed what audiences expected from their movies, introducing gritty realism and morally complex protagonists when the industry was still churning out formulaic fare. His recent work continues to demonstrate his creative prowess, and in 2014, the Government of India recognized his monumental contributions by offering him the prestigious Padma Shri