From Shah Rukh Khan to Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif, when Bollywood stars showered praises for Salman Khan

In an industry where alliances often shift with box-office fortunes, Salman Khan stands out as a rare constant. Decades into his career, the superstar continues to command not just mass adulation from audiences, but deep, unwavering respect from within the film fraternity itself. Known for his larger-than-life stardom, protective camaraderie and quiet generosity, Salman has built relationships that transcend professional equations.

From seasoned veterans to younger stars, many actors have spoken openly about his influence, not just as a megastar, but as a mentor, collaborator and steadfast presence behind the scenes. Time and again, colleagues have highlighted his humility, loyalty and the unspoken support he extends when it matters most. Here’s a look at Bollywood celebrities who have openly expressed their admiration for Salman Khan and the golden heart he carries.

Shah Rukh Khan once summed up his respect by saying, “I look up to Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. Look at me, I’m still looking up to Salman. I look up to them because of the kinds of ups and downs they’ve faced, and the work they’ve done, starting from scratch and working their way up to this. These people are aspirational and inspirational, and somewhere I feel really thankful that I have the opportunity to sit on the same stage.”

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Aamir Khan has also acknowledged Salman’s innate talent, stating, “Salman is very gifted as an actor, my favorite performances of his is Bajrangi Bhaijaan and Dabangg.”

Speaking about Salman’s enduring box-office pull, Akshay Kumar remarked, “Dekhiye yeh galat baat hai. Aisa hai, aisa ho nahi sakta hai. Tiger Zinda hai aur hamesha rahega.”

Reflecting on their long association, Katrina Kaif once shared, “He (Salman) is an amazing person. He is very unique. You don’t meet many people like Salman in the world. He will always remain very important part of my life. Without him my journey could have been difficult.”

During Sultan, Anushka Sharma spoke about the unique validation that comes with sharing screen space with Salman, saying, “Getting Salman Khan’s fans to tell you, ‘I am your fan too’ is a big deal because they are the most loyal fans. All the three Khans have such loyal fans. I feel very special. I think you want your work to be noticed and appreciated and for it to happen in a film like Sultan and with a megastar like Salman, I feel very happy.”

Sonakshi Sinha, who made her debut opposite him, highlighted his grounded nature: “Just how unaffected and unbothered he is by his stardom. Very nonchalant. Like, he’s taken it in stride in such a way that, I don’t think he also knows how much of a star he is. So, he’s in his own. Yeah, yeah. And he lives his life the way he wants to. I think that’s really amazing.”

Expressing the love he receives across generations, Varun Dhawan said, “Main jitna bhi bolu, kam hoga unke baare me. I think hum sab, saare darshak, pura bharat unse bohot pyaar karta hai. Bohot waqt ke baad hume unko dekhne ka ek mauka milega.”

Jacqueline Fernandez, who credits Salman for pivotal career moments, shared, “I owe Salman a lot. I owe him everything. Doing Kick was one of the biggest turning points in my career. Now I have the same feeling with Race 3 again. It’s a dream to work with him. He is an amazing person; he is an amazing human being.”

For Bobby Deol, the bond runs deep and personal: “Salman has always been there. He is completely in love with my dad (Dharmendra). The bond they share is just amazing; he (Salman Khan) has so much respect for him. He has this obsessive love for my dad and my family. He is one guy who has got no insecurity.”

Time and again, Salman Khan’s journey proves that true stardom is not measured only by numbers or records, but by the lives touched along the way. In a fiercely competitive industry, he has remained a pillar of loyalty, support and quiet generosity, and these heartfelt words from his peers stand as a testament to the respect he commands, not just as a superstar, but as a human being with an enduring golden heart.