Salman Shah was not just an actor; he was the dream of an entire generation. In the 1990s, countless young people tried to imitate his hairstyle, follow his clothing style, and even mimic his walk. Even though there were no widespread platforms like social media at the time, he became a universal craze.
“Salman had an amazing fashion sense. He never asked on set what to wear. He would decide for himself what outfit he wanted to wear. Most actors in this country don’t do that—they wait for the director to tell them,” said filmmaker and screenwriter Chotku Ahmed.
It wasn’t just Chotku Ahmed who saw him this way; this generation also considers him a ‘style icon’. Why do young people still see him as ahead of his time?
Student Fateha Balad Attin said, “If we look at Bollywood, we call the Kajol-Shah Rukh pair timeless because they were decades ahead of their time. In our country, Salman Shah was such an actor. He showcased a style and fashion at that time that still felt contemporary. Even after all these years, it doesn’t feel outdated.”
Jobholder Zubayer Hossain added, “He was modern for his time. Even his clothes or the sunglasses he wore attracted young people. He was so ahead of his time that his style still fascinates us today.”
Masud Rana Nakeeb, founder of Salman Shah Smriti Sangsad and Team Salman Shah, said, “He thought deeply about every character he played. He planned his wardrobe accordingly and made sure to understand the character thoroughly from the director beforehand. That is why, alongside his acting, he has become a fashion icon for today’s youth.”