The renowned Salim Khan is one of the most prominent icons of the Hindi film industry during its golden era. He started off as an actor, but went on to become a well-known name as a scriptwriter. In fact, he has penned some of the most successful Hindi films, in partnership with Javed Akhtar. Born in Indore, Khan, whose ancestors belonged to the Alakozai Pashtun tribe from Afghanistan, was noticed by director K Amarnath at a wedding and offered the role of an actor. Khan moved to Bombay and worked in several films in cameo roles for seven years. He was seen in films like Teesri Manzil (1966), Sarhaadi Lootera (1966) and Diwaana (1967), in minor supporting roles. However, he was unable to gain popularity as an actor. Khan was shooting for Sarhadi Lootera (1966) when he first met Javed Akhtar who was working as a clapper boy on the sets. They became friends and then decided to team up to write scripts for Hindi films. The highly successful duo called themselves Salim-Javed, the former would come up with stories and plots for the films, while the latter would work on the dialogues for the same. This partnership emerged to be one of the most prolific and fruitful in the Hindi film industry.

The superstar of the time, Rajesh Khanna gave the duo their big break as screenplay writers by offering them work for Haathi Mere Saathi (1971). Later that year Salim-Javed were hired by G P Sippy as resident screenwriters and produced the screenplays for several successful films like Andaz (1971), followed by Adhikar (1971), Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), and Seeta Aur Geeta (1972). All these films gave them recognition and popularity.

They continued to deliver super-hits like Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973), Zanjeer (1973), Haath Ki Safai (1974), Deewaar (1975), Sholay (1975), Don (1978), Trishul (1978), Dostana (1980), Kranti (1981), Zamana (1985) and Mr. India (1987). They also wrote Telugu films like Manushulu Chesina Dongalu (1977), and Yugandhar(1993).

However, the partnership broke in 1996. Khan did not remain very active after this and wrote scripts for just 10 films on his own, including Naam (1986), Kabzaa (1988), Toofan (1989), Jurm (1990), Akayla (1991), Patthar Ke Phool (1991), Mast Kalandar (1991), Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1994), Majhdhaar (1996) and Dil Tera Diwana (1996).

He is father of superstar Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan, with his wife Sushila Charak, known now as Salma Khan. He is also married to Helen, who is a prominent figure in the Hindi film industry. With her, he adopted a daughter Arpita.

He received the Lifetime Achievement Honour Award from the Apsara Film and Television Producers Guild in 2014. His legacy carries on as some of his scripts from the past continue to be adapted with films like Zanjeer (2013) and Don (2006).