Blurb: 
HE BREAKS RULES, HEARTS AND RECORDS

SALMAN KHAN: THE MAN, THE MYTH, THE MEGASTAR


As Prem, the nation's first love; as Radhe, the rebel with a cause; as Tiger, the action king who redefined machismo for a new India, Salman Khan is the only Bollywood superstar who has ruled romance, comedy and action in Hindi films with equal ease and style. While critics share the perfect love-hate relationship with him, for his fans--who flock to theatres with every new release, their loyalty unquestionable, their excitement unbridled--nothing can match the anticipation of a new film starring Salman Khan.

With his signature swagger, magnetic charm and larger-than-life persona, everyone is fascinated with the actor. Packed with fan interviews, never-before-seen photos, and insights from long-time collaborators of the star, Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood is an ode to the actor who has made an impact on pop culture like no other.

Through controversies and comebacks, blockbusters and hard-learned lessons of life, Salman has remained cinema's wild heart and its last true mystery--perhaps the only superstar of his kind that India will ever see.

Growing up in the Bollywood era of the three Khans, a lot of my memories revolve around movies of Salman, Shah Rukh and Aamir Khan. I would wait for every new release and harangue my mom or sister to take me to the cinema hall.

For me, most of Salman Khan’s movies have been entertaining. The first movie I remember is Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! I have watched this movie multiple times in theater and I loved it everytime.

There is an aura around Salman; a star quality that has remained intact all through the years, even when his movies have struggled at the box office.

The book, Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood by Mohar Basu delves into this stardom. The book traces his life from childhood to his struggle years and then his stardom.

Salman Khan’s big break came with Maine Pyar Kiya as Prem and since then he has made the name his own and also received a lot of prem from audience and his fans. The book talks of this journey of Prem through the years and how it made Salman Khan the “hero of masses”.

Of course, there is also the mention of controversies that have always been one step ahead of Salman. Be it his relationships, his attitude with media and vice-versa, the poaching case or the hit-and-run case. But what’s important is that his screen persona has never been affected by these. His movies have been received with love by his fans.

“In Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, he plays a man who messes up but tries to fix things, and that’s why you root for him. He makes being flawed feel real. It could be any of us. But can we undo the past? That sudden shift from charm to guilt feels like the guy next door trying to figure things out. That’s what makes them character irresistible. He can be a skirt-chaser one moment and a doting father the next. Both are equally him. So is he good or bad? It’s Salman. Someone who always messes up,  but has a good heart and never stops trying!”

His philanthropy is also mentioned in detail. Whether giving breaks to newcomers or helping people with money and even donating blood plasma; he does it all with a flair that only Salman can manage.

I myself am a Shah Rukh Khan fan but I also like Salman Khan so I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. This book is more about why people love him and why he is considered such a huge star. His movies, his body building, his signature dance moves, his love for family are all discussed in detail.

Of course, the cover picture of Salman is also very attractive. The book is easy to read, the fan interviews interesting and there is also the fact that people credit him for bringing heath and fitness to them.

If you are a Salman fan or a Bollywood buff, this book will not disappoint you. The anecdotes, the pictures and the starry life makes for a very good read.

My rating: 4.8/5

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program.