Why Salman Khan is Bollywood's FAVOURITE go-to man

Salman Khan has become Bollywood's most preferred go-to person.

The actor is known to have been routinely summoned to fix problems, rescue films with bleak box office prospects and broker peace between warring parties.

So it didn't come as a surprise when Jiah Khan's mother Rabia Khan said that Salman was called in to mediate between Suraj Pancholi and her daughter, a claim that was immediately refuted by Pancholi's mother Zarina Wahab. 

While the veracity of Rabia Khan's claims are yet to be verified, Salman Khan's sudden surge to demigod status is undeniably fascinating.

Here's looking at other instances where the star actor came to his friends, allies' rescue.

Please ...

While it was rather well-known that Salman was set to launch Suraj Pancholi in the remake of Subhash Ghai's 1983 hit Hero, it was surprising to learn that he was involved in the troubled aspiring actor's personal matters as well.

According to Rabia Khan, Salman was in the know-how of the doomed relationship, which made it to headlines following Jiah Khan's suicide.

However, Salman has maintained a studied silence and distance from the matter so far.

It was suprising to see Salman's name associated with producer duo Farhan Akhtar-Ritesh Sidhwani's new film Fukrey. 

Turns out, one of the film's protagonists -- Pulkit Samrat -- is the self designated brother-in-law of Salman since his fiancee Shweta Rohira is Salman's rakhi-sister.

Salman had launched the music of Pulkit's debut film Bittoo Boss

Let's see what fate has in store for Fukrey.

The trailer of Rajkumar Gupta's Vidya Balan and Emraan Hashmi starrer comedy includes a particulalry funny scene where Hashmi's character's partial memory loss is likened to Aamir Khan's Ghajini.

The hilarious exchange between the characters incorrectly throws up several names that they claim played Ghajini and one of the Khan they mention is, you guessed it, Salman.

This could well be a quiet tribute but a close look at the promo of Ramaiya Vastavaiya reflects glimpses of Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya and Maine Pyaar Kiya, both Salman Khan starrers.

Though it has been denied by debutant Girish Taurani, the brother-sister relationship from Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya (Arbaaz Khan and Kajol, played by Sonu Sood and Shruti Haasan here) and the male protagonist slogging in the field ala Salman in Maine Pyaar Kiya have clearly inspired bits of this film.

While obligatory star cameos in films made by friends or associates have rarely done any good, Bollywood continues with the trend.

Rajkumar Santoshi, who worked with Salman in Andaz Apna Apna, wants the star in his next release Phata Poster Nikla Hero.

While the Shahid Kapoor starrer looks sound enough to carry itself, the makers believe that Salman power will help the film. Incidentally.

Salman had also played an interesting cameo in Santoshi's last film Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahaani.

It was in Wanted where Salman Khan first flaunted the massive Firoza (a blue stone) set in his favourite silver bracelet.

This became a style statement fervently copied by youngster around the country.

Now Imran Khan will be seen donning the precious stone in a silver ring in his next release Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai 2.

There was a major chunk of the film's promotion centred on how Bobby Deol and Neha Sharma play Salman Khan fans in the film.

What one got to see were Salman film references play out haphazardly in the film.

Right from the couple fighting for a Salman cutout from Dabangg to them playing Ek Tha Tiger-Ek Tha Tiger as Tere Naam played in the backgroud, the references were random to say the least.

Director Sangeeth Sivan had candidly admitted that incorporating Salman references could attract more audience to his film.

Alas, that never happened!

Salman, who had played the lead in director Prem Raj's Main Aur Mrs Khanna, agreed to do a guest apperance in his Ishkq In Paris.

Moreover, Preity had stepped in for a song-n-dance appearance in Main Aurr Mrs Khanna and it was time to return the favour for her debut home production.

The film, however, failed to gain from the star appearance.

Two decades ago, filmmaker Saawan Kumar gave Salman Khan a hit film titled Sanam Bewafa.

So the actor returned the favour with an extended (and embarrassing) appearance in Saawan... The Love Season.

While we all know how that ended up, Saawan Kumar is planning to rope in not just Salman but even Katrina Kaif for a special song in, what is touted to be the sequel of his biggest hit till date, Souten.

Interestingly, no one attached to Souten 2 has gone on record about Salman and Kat coming together for this project.