Salman Khan's 25 years in Bollywood | 12 unknown facts about actor

New Delhi: Salman Khan is the undisputed star of the Hindi film industry today. All his films in the past couple of years have been Box Office smash hits and he is one of the highest paid actors in the industry now. From being brand ambassadors for several brands to being the host of one of the most popular TV show, Salman's career as of now is enviable for most of his contemporaries. The actor today completes 25 glorious, eventful years in Bollywood.

Here are some lesser known facts about the star who has found a new lease in his career in his 40's.

Salman made his debut in 1988 in 'Biwi Ho Toh Aisi' as Farouq Sheikh's younger brother. His first lead role was of course, in Sooraj Barjatya's 'Maine Pyaar Kiya' in 1989 which gave him instant stardom.

12 lesser known facts about the actor

Salman's career is enviable for most of his contemporaries. The actor today completes 25 years in Bollywood.

Before he became a successful actor, Salman Khan was a model. He had modelled for brands like 'Hero Honda' and 'Double Bull shirts'much before he entered film industry.

Salman studied acting at actress Daisy Irani's acting institute along with his friends Sajid Khan and Chunky Pandey.

Had it not been films, Salman may have chosen swimming as a career. He was swimming champion in his school days and was tipped to represent India at international events.

The actor wanted to be a writer. The story of 'Baaghi: A rebel for Love' was Salman's idea for which he was given due credit. He also wrote films like 'Veer' and 'Chandramukhi'. Unfortunately all three films failed at the Box Office.

The actor has launched seven heroines in Bollywood: Bhagyashree in 'Maine Pyar Kiya'(1989), Nagma in 'Baaghi: A Rebel For Love(1990), Chandni in 'Sanam Bewafa'(1991), Bhumika Chawla in 'Tere Naam'( 2003), Sneha Ullal in 'Lucky: No Time For Love'(2005), Zarine Khan in 'Veer' ( 2010), Sonakshi Sinha in 'Dabangg' ( 2010).

The actor's real name is Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan.

Salman Khan did his first playback singing for the film 'Hello Brother'.

Aamir Khan and Salman Khan were approached to sign the contract for the movie 'Andaz Apna Apna' but both the actors wanted more screen time than the other. Eventually they settled on being onscreen for the same amount of time.

Rakesh Roshan's 'Karan Arjun' was the first movie that featured the then good friends Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan. The film was originally called 'Kaynaat' and Ajay Devgn was the first choice of Karan's role that was eventually played by Salman Khan. Salman was, in fact, the first choice for the role that SRK played in Abbas Mustan's 'Baazigar'.

He is the only actor to have had five back to back 100 Crore plus films. 'Dabangg' (2010), 'Ready' (2011), 'Bodyguard' (2011), 'Ek Tha Tiger' (2012) and 'Dabangg 2' (2012). His film 'Wanted' (2009) grossed around 100 Crore plus at the Indian Box Office and even did great business at the International Box Office.

Salman suffers from trigeminal neuralgia, a facial nerve disorder commonly known as the suicide disease.