Bollywood’s Godfather? Actresses Salman Khan Helped Launch in the Industry

Who does not want to have a glamorous life in Bollywood? Who does not want to be a heroine? We all do right? Let’s talk about the legendary godfather vibes Salman Khan’s been giving off in Bollywood for years. If you’ve been around the block when it comes to Bollywood gossip, then you know he’s always been the one who opens doors, makes calls, and practically builds careers for a few lucky debutantes in the industry. And these are not any regular names; these actresses got real big breaks because of Sallu Bhai himself. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and check out some of these Bollywood actresses who owe their Bollywood beginnings to the one and only Salman Khan.

Here is the list of Bollywood Actress Who Launched By Salman Khan

1. Bhagyashree

Let’s start with Bhagyashree, the OG who starred in Maine Pyar Kiya back in ’89. So, yup, you heard it right, way back when the romantic flicks were ruling the silver screen. Maine Pyar Kiya was the whole film, the whole vibe. And Bhagyashree? She came in as Suman, the sweet, traditional girl next door that we all rooted for. Thanks to Salman, she ended up in a movie that really would turn out to be a very iconic Bollywood romance. It’s the film Maine Pyar Kiya that didn’t only make a name for Bhagyashree in households across India but threw Salman into the spotlight so, in a way, they launched each other into stardom. Even when Bhagyashree decided not to stay too long, her film did help get a place for her inside a ’90s classic of Indian cinema.

2. Sonakshi Sinha

Fast forward to 2010, and Sonakshi Sinha comes onto the scene with Dabangg. Like, honestly, who could forget Chulbul Pandey and his chemistry with Rajjo? Sonakshi’s debut was a blockbuster, and her sassy Rajjo left a serious mark. Rumor has it, that Salman didn’t just pick her out of the blue; he had his eyes on her as a debutante for a while and even encouraged her to go through a full-blown fitness transformation. And voila, there she was, rocking the screen with that “Thappad se darr nahi lagta sahib, pyaar se lagta hai” swag. After Dabangg, Sonakshi became an overnight star, and there’s no doubt that Salman’s support helped catapult her into the big leagues. The girl has had an amazing Bollywood journey since then, and Dabangg was just the start.

3. Sneha Ullal

Enter Sneha Ullal, who made her debut in Lucky: No Time for Love in 2005, a film that had everyone raising eyebrows. Why? Because Sneha, with her blue eyes and fair complexion, had this uncanny resemblance to Aishwarya Rai. Word on the street is that Salman, who had a past with Aishwarya, noticed Sneha’s similarity to Ash and decided she had to be cast. Although Lucky wasn’t a huge blockbuster, it did put Sneha on the map, and honestly, her debut made waves purely because Salman introduced her. While her Bollywood career didn’t exactly go the Sonakshi route, Sneha will always be remembered for her lucky break, that Salman handed to her on a silver platter.

4. Daisy Shah

Daisy Shah’s Bollywood debut in Jai Ho in 2014 was another project championed by Salman. Daisy wasn’t a newcomer to the industry, though – she was a background dancer and worked in choreography before stepping into the limelight. But when Salman spotted her talent, he thought she had the potential to make it as a lead actress and cast her in Jai Ho. Now, Jai Ho may not have been the biggest hit in Salman’s lineup, but it was still a solid start for Daisy. After that, she worked in films here and there, but let’s be real, her connection with Salman was a big part of why people noticed her at first. The Bollywood insider support gave her the push she needed.

5. Zareen Khan

Finally, we have Zareen Khan, who made her debut in Veer in 2010. Yet again, there were Ash vibes since Zareen looked a bit like Aishwarya Rai too. Salman, the king of Bollywood lookalike discoveries, spotted her potential and thought she’d fit perfectly in this historical epic. While Veer wasn’t a massive hit, it did give Zareen her foot in the door, and she’s been part of Bollywood ever since. Zareen went on to do quite a few popular item songs, and her career took a pretty unique direction with projects like Hate Story 3 where she showed a whole different side of herself. Once again, it was Salman who introduced her to the industry and set her on her Bollywood path.

Among all these actors and actresses, some of them gained careers that went sky-high or some of them experienced their careers fizzling out, one thing’s for sure, they owe their stars to the man who believed in them when no one else did. Salman has this rep for going out of his way to support new talent, especially those he vibes with, and he’s proven that time and time again. In a Bollywood world that can be ruthless, having someone like Salman in your corner is a massive advantage. And let’s face it, even though he’s had his fair share of controversies, no one can deny that Salman has a big heart when it comes to giving people a shot in this ultra-competitive industry.