Stars Made by Salman Khan

Bollywood's film folk swear by Salman Khan's bigheartedness. They have a good reason to.

Whether it's offering body-building tips to Hrithik Roshan and Ranbir Kapoor while they were starting out or lending his superstar status for siblings Arbaaz and Sohail's home productions, the Dabangg star is ever-obliging.

That's not all; the self-proclaimed 'Robin Hood Pandey' is known to go out of his way to promote fresh talent or wobbly careers. Bigg Boss 4 participant Rahul Bhatt is the latest recipient of Khan's generosity. Unlike his elder sister Pooja, Rahul doesn't wish to be launched by his filmmaker father Mahesh Bhatt and would rather make under his own steam. And who better than the reality show host to play fairy godmother? Buzz is Salman's keen on casting the muscular Bhatt in Dabangg 2.

He's definitely not the only one to be blessed by Salman's celebrity clout. Here's a look at the others before him:

She may have delivered the maximum number of hits with Akshay Kumar but Katrina Kaif owes a big chunk of her success to former boyfriend Salman Khan.

Fresh from the failure of Boom, Bollywood's current toast wasn't exactly hot proposition when, impressed by her delicate looks and sincerity, the actor took her under his wing suggesting Kat's name for co-star in various films like Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya and Partner.

The success of these films and Salman's patronage benefited the Tees Maar Khan actress considerably.

When Salman first spotted her; Shatrughan Sinha's pampered daughter was an overweight youngster with no interest in joining films. But after the actor suggested Sonakshi shed some kilos and mull over the prospect of being his heroine in Dabangg, there was no looking back.

Proving Salman's got an eye for diamonds in the rough, her performance opened to accolades. In all probability, Sonakshi's picking up all the Best Newcomer trophies at the awards function next year.

We've all heard of 'a friend in need is a friend indeed.' Govinda is friends with one such guy. After an extended bad run at the box-office, the Hero No 1 hit the lowest phase of his career. Luckily for him, Salman Khan got him on board to play a loveable goofball in his home production, Partner.

The David Dhawan-helmed remake of Hollywood's Hitch made big bucks and Govinda was back in his groove. The partnership returns in sequel form next year.

For this Khan, family always comes first. And so after brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri, who's married to Salman's costume-designer sister Alvira and acted in films like Sir and Krantiveer, decided to try his luck with direction, no points for guessing who played hero.

Although the romance drama, Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha co-starring Preity Zinta and Bhoomika Chawla tanked, it didn't dissuade Salman from doing an extended guest appearance as himself in Agnihotri's Hello, based on Chetan Bhagat's One Night @ the Call Centre.

Up next, the two of them are collaborating alongside Kareena Kapoor on My Love Story, said to be a remake of the Malayalam hit, Bodyguard.

From a small-time model to Salman's leading lady, Zarine Khan's has her very own Cinderella story to share. A brief meeting with the actor on the sets of Subhash Ghai's Yuvvraaj landed her a meaty role as his love interest in Anil Sharma's Veer.

While the media cannot stop speculating about her uncanny resemblance to another Sallu discovery -- Katrina Kaif -- the Mumbai-born starlet, in spite of Veer's failure has secured a part in Partner 2.

Following a stint on television, Reshammiya got his first big break in the movies, courtesy Salman's recommendation to rope him as the music director of Bandhan. Though the melodrama co-starring Jackie Shroff and Rambha was eminently forgettable, the catchy soundtrack hit a chord.

And that explains why Reshammiya was Salman's preferred choice to provide the foot tapping score of films like Hello Brother, Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Tere Naam and Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya. Things were going great guns before ego issues popped up resulting in an on-off relationship.

Like Himesh, Sajid-Wajid owe much of their career (and resume) to the Being Human founder's unswerving backing. Right from their snappy ditties in Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya to the superhot song, Tere mast mast do nain in Dabangg, the sprightly duo has constructed some of their peppiest creations around Salman and his unique brand of choreography.

Understandably, the duo is eternally grateful to the self-styled star. What can we say? Except quote these lines from his own movie: Tum purush nahi, mahapurush ho.'