Salman Khan is one of the most sought after actors the Bollywood industry cannot do without, and more so than ever now as he is known for giving magnificent record-breaking hits over the last two years. But why are Salman Khan films really a commercial hit, in comparison to other films? Take for example 3 Idiots in which Aamir Khan played the lead role. In 2009, this film broke all previous records and was the highest grossing film ever! Quite deservedly so, many of us could understand why this film worked well and why audiences loved it, as the performances, meaningful storyline and visual aesthetics worked incredibly well together to make the film a worthwhile watch. Then in 2010, Salman Khan's Dabangg was released, which surpassed 3 Idiots former record. Indeed the film had a great dose of music, however, with a mediocre storyline, exaggerated plot and far-fetched fight scenes, Salman still managed to entice his audiences and take lead! How did this possibly happen?
Well one thing is for sure, that a film does not have to be a commercial success based on the story line, but what does matter then is the actor! Salman Khan is a name in itself which Bollywood is infamous without, and he is the key ingredient to breaking box office records...
- Now you may argue that the same applies for Aamir Khan or any other leading Khan in the fraternity, because they too have a strong star presence. However, the difference with Salman is that his abundance of energy and fanatic dance moves are his very own unique selling points (USP), which his fan base can't do without! None of the other Khan's are quite known for having this X factor, and Salman is the only Khan to do it all! Whether its dancing opposite a female co-star, dancing opposite Govinda or prancing around a beach with a towel, that is what makes 'Salman Khan'.
- Salman's popularity over the last two years has expanded vastly because of the type of films he has got involved in too. Moving away from the conventional love stories that Shah Rukh Khan forever endorses to attract a large proportion of female audiences, Salman is now seen playing unconventional roles of a witty, shroud and smart character that a diversified audience can warm towards. His films such as Bodyguard, Dabangg and Ek Tha Tiger attract both male and female viewership, hence why he can easily break box office records.
- Although most of his recent films don't live up to having the most creative of story lines, they are nonetheless full on 'Salman Khan films'. It's difficult to think of any other actor in the industry who could have matched up to his performances, and for this reason Salman has become a popular brand-name associated to action entertainment movies! He seems increasingly comfortable in these roles, and nothing seems forced! Take for example Veer or Yuvraaj, where Salman in both films didn't fit the characters role appropriately, yet with action films including Ready or Ek Tha Tiger he seems to be in his machismo-element.
- Salman Khan knows when to market his films, and release them accordingly. The original Dabangg and this years Ek Tha Tiger were released during Eid, and Dabangg 2 has been respectively released during the festive Christmas break! Bearing in mind public holidays, Salman is interacting closely with his audiences and earning mass viewership during the most festive times of the year! A clever yet crucial strategy.
- Despite several flops, crazy towel dancing in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi or playing a female (dress up) avatar in Jaaneman, Salman has nonetheless created a mass fan following after delivering 4 consecutive hits in action packed films over the last two years. The most anticipated film of the year has finally released across cinemas, and Dabangg 2 despite having a simple narrative, will nonetheless be a box office super hit, because after all it's a Salman Khan release!
