Dulquer Salmaan

{{short description|Indian actor, playback singer and producer (born 1983)}} {{good article}} {{protection padlock|small=yes}} {{Use Indian English|date=June 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Dulquer Salmaan | image = Dulquer Salmaan at Karwaan promotions (cropped).jpg | caption = Dulquer in 2018 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1983|07|28}} | birth_place = Kochi, Kerala, India | alma_mater = Purdue University | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|singer|producer|distributor}} | years_active = 2012–present | organization = Wayfarer Films | works = Full list | spouse = {{marriage|Amal Sufiya|2011}} | children = 1 | father = Mammootty | family = Mammootty family | awards = Full list | website = {{URL|https://dulquer.com}} }}

'''Dulquer Salmaan''' ({{IPA|ml|d̪ulkʰɐr salmaːn|IPA}}; born 28 July 1983) is an Indian actor and producer who works in Malayalam films, besides few Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films. One of the highest paid Malayalam actors,<ref name="DQ1" /><ref name="DQ2" /> Salmaan is a recipient of several awards including five Filmfare Awards South, one Kerala State Film Award, one Kerala Film Critics Association Award and one Gaddar Telangana State Film Award.

Born to actor Mammootty, Salmaan graduated with a bachelor's degree in business management from Purdue University and worked as a business manager in Dubai before pursuing a career in acting. After a three-month acting course at the Barry John acting Studio, Salmaan made his acting debut with ''Second Show'' (2012) and received the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South for his performance in ''Ustad Hotel'' (2012).<ref name="1st">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/77480.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204225014/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/malayalam/article/77480.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 February 2012|title=Dulqar's first movie |website=IndiaGlitz |accessdate=2 February 2012}}</ref>

Following his performance in ''ABCD'' (2013), ''Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi'' (2013), and ''Vaayai Moodi Pesavum'' (2014), Salmaan achieved his career breakthrough with ''Bangalore Days'' (2014). He established himself as a leading Malayalam actor with ''Vikramadithyan'' (2014), ''Charlie'' (2015), which earned him Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, ''Kali'' (2016), ''Kammatti Paadam'' (2016), ''Jomonte Suvisheshangal'' (2017) and ''Kurup'' (2021).<ref name="boxoffice">{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/dulquer-salmaans-jomonte-suviseshangal-becomes-his-solo-biggest-grosser-60-days-its-theatrical-720296|title=Dulquer Salmaan's Jomonte Suviseshangal becomes his solo biggest Malayalam grosser in 60 days of its theatrical run|website=International Business Times|date=21 March 2017|access-date=1 January 2020|quote=...the movie has collected approximately Rs 24 crores from Kerala alone, apart from the Rs 5.6 crore from the rest of India, Rs 9.97 crore from the UAE-GCC regions and Rs 4.1 crore from elsewhere.|archive-date=21 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230421070502/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/dulquer-salmaans-jomonte-suviseshangal-becomes-his-solo-biggest-grosser-60-days-its-theatrical-720296|url-status=live}}</ref> Salmaan expanded to Tamil films with the box-office successes ''O Kadhal Kanmani'' (2015) and ''Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal'' (2020).<ref name=zeenews>{{cite news|url=http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/year-of-small-films-at-southern-box-office_125047.html|title=Year of small films at southern box-office|date=25 December 2012|newspaper=Zee News|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=3 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225839/http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/regional/year-of-small-films-at-southern-box-office_125047.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Prithviraj's p 5">{{Cite web|last=IBTimes|date=21 October 2015|title=Kerala box office: Prithviraj's 'Ennu Ninte Moideen' among top 5 highest grossing Malayalam movies|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kerala-box-office-prithviraj-ennu-ninte-moideen-among-top-5-highest-grossing-malayalam-movies-651418|access-date=16 June 2021|website=International Business Times|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407102101/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/kerala-box-office-prithviraj-ennu-ninte-moideen-among-top-5-highest-grossing-malayalam-movies-651418|url-status=live}}</ref> His highest-grossing releases came with the Telugu films ''Mahanati'' (2018), ''Sita Ramam'' (2022) and ''Lucky Baskhar'' (2024). For ''Mahanati'' and ''Sita Ramam'', he won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu.<ref>{{cite news |title=RRR to Kantara: A look at the top 7 regional films that ruled Indian film industry in 2022!|url=https://zeenews.india.com/photos/entertainment/rrr-to-kantara-a-look-at-the-top-7-regional-films-that-ruled-indian-film-industry-in-2022-2554657/777-charlie-2554659 |work=Zee News |date=27 December 2022 |access-date=1 January 2022}}</ref>

Alongside his acting career, Salmaan is a producer, singer and philanthropist. He is married to architect Amal Sufiya with whom he has a daughter.

== Early life and background == Salmaan was born on 28 July 1983 in Kochi,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suresh |first=Anandu |date=28 July 2023 |title=Dulquer Salmaan: A remarkable journey from being Mammootty's son to drawing crowds to theatres with the 'DQ' factor |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-journey-mammootty-dq-factor-cinema-8861307/ |access-date=11 August 2023 |archive-date=2 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230902203921/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-journey-mammootty-dq-factor-cinema-8861307/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 February 2017 |title=Here's what Dulquer feels about being called Kunjikka |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/heres-what-dulquer-feels-about-being-called-kunjikka/articleshow/57019538.cms |access-date=28 March 2022 |archive-date=18 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230218190859/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/heres-what-dulquer-feels-about-being-called-kunjikka/articleshow/57019538.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> to actor Mammootty and his wife Sulfath Kuttyy. He has an elder sister, Surumi.<ref>{{cite news|title=Mammootty – Sulfath's 43rd Wedding Anniversary: Here Are Some Rare Pics Of The Celebrity Couple|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-sulfaths-43rd-wedding-anniversary-here-are-some-rare-pics-of-the-celebrity-couple/photostory/91376388.cms?picid=91376412|newspaper=The Times of India|date=6 May 2022|access-date=24 August 2022|archive-date=24 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220824144820/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-sulfaths-43rd-wedding-anniversary-here-are-some-rare-pics-of-the-celebrity-couple/photostory/91376388.cms?picid=91376412|url-status=live}}</ref> Salmaan completed his primary level education at Toc-H Public School, Vyttila, Kochi and his secondary level education at Sishya School in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Surya Praphulla Kumar |date=28 February 2014 |title=A brand new Salmaan |url=http://indulge.newindianexpress.com/a-brand-new-salmaan/chennai/7236 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623193542/http://indulge.newindianexpress.com/a-brand-new-salmaan/chennai/7236 |archive-date=23 June 2016 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref> He has a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Purdue University and worked at an IT firm in Dubai.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 2021 |title=On Dulquer Salmaan's 35th birthday, here are six lesser-known facts about the Kurup star |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-first-look-lieutenant-ram-out-on-birthday-6-lesser-known-facts-about-kurup-star-7426132/ |website=The Indian Express |access-date=17 September 2022 |archive-date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920172308/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-first-look-lieutenant-ram-out-on-birthday-6-lesser-known-facts-about-kurup-star-7426132/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Later, he decided to pursue a career in acting and attended a three-month acting course at the Barry John Acting Studio in Mumbai.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shevlin Sebastian |date=29 January 2012 |title=Living under a cinematic giant |url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article337960.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623202031/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article337960.ece |archive-date=23 June 2016 |website=The New Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 2021 |title=On Dulquer Salmaan's 35th birthday, here are six lesser-known facts about the Kurup star |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-first-look-lieutenant-ram-out-on-birthday-6-lesser-known-facts-about-kurup-star-7426132/ |access-date=14 August 2023 |publisher=Indian Express |archive-date=21 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921230942/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-first-look-lieutenant-ram-out-on-birthday-6-lesser-known-facts-about-kurup-star-7426132/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Career ==

=== Early work (2012–2013) === Salmaan marked his screen debut in 2012 with debutante Srinath Rajendran's Malayalam crime film ''Second Show'', in which he played the role of Harilal, a gangster.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dulquer-reveals-being-afraid-during-making-second-show-96245 |title=Dulquer reveals being afraid during the making of 'Second Show' |website=The News Minute |access-date=28 July 2019 |date=5 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728055216/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dulquer-reveals-being-afraid-during-making-second-show-96245 |archive-date=28 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> When asked in an interview about his "unconventional entry with a bunch of newcomers", Salmaan stated that it was his conscious decision as he felt that " ... when an actor debuts, he has to earn the right to be a hero and not get it through a shortcut route."<ref name="DQbefSS">{{Cite web |last=Sridevi Sreedhar |date=3 February 2012 |title=I want to go step by step: Dulquer Salmaan |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/i-want-to-go-step-by-step-dulquer-salmaan-news-malayalam-mcblBBhhdiasi.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701125513/http://www.sify.com/movies/i-want-to-go-step-by-step-dulquer-salmaan-news-malayalam-mcblBBhhdiasi.html |archive-date=1 July 2016 |website=Sify}}</ref> The film was a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 November 2012 |title=Dulquer Salman is back |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-south-dulquer-salman-is-back/20121115.htm |access-date=14 August 2023 |website=Rediff |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814061655/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/slide-show-1-south-dulquer-salman-is-back/20121115.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Manoj Kumar R |date=3 August 2018 |title=Happy birthday Dulquer Salmaan: The Karwaan star is going places |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/happy-birthday-dulquer-salmaan-karwaan-5280465/ |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814061654/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/happy-birthday-dulquer-salmaan-karwaan-5280465/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Salmaan next release that year was Anwar Rasheed's Malayalam film ''Ustad Hotel'' opposite Nithya Menen.<ref>{{Cite news |title=20 Best Malayalam film performances of the past two decades |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/20-best-malayalam-film-performances-of-the-past-two-decades/articleshow/80131679.cms |access-date=3 March 2023 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=7 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107100051/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/20-best-malayalam-film-performances-of-the-past-two-decades/articleshow/80131679.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> The film, which received the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, was also a major commercial success at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shobha Warrier |date=20 March 2013 |title=Malayalam films strike gold at the National Awards |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-malayalam-films-strike-gold-at-the-national-awards/20130320.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229235937/http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-malayalam-films-strike-gold-at-the-national-awards/20130320.htm |archive-date=29 February 2016 |publisher=Rediff}}</ref> He received praises for his portrayal of Faizy a budding chef,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Paresh C. Palicha |date=2 July 2012 |title=Review: Ustad Hotel offers a delicious meal |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-ustad-hotel-offers-a-delicious-meal/20120702.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041318/http://www.rediff.com/movies/review/review-ustad-hotel-offers-a-delicious-meal/20120702.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |publisher=Rediff}}</ref> and a critic of ''Sify'' noted, "Dulquer continues his fine form following his impressive debut in ''Second Show''".<ref>{{cite web |title=Movie Review: Ustad Hotel |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/ustad-hotel-review-malayalam-15001974.html |website=Sify |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140327001030/http://www.sify.com/movies/ustad-hotel-review-malayalam-15001974.html |archive-date=27 March 2014}}</ref> For his performance, Salmaan won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – Malayalam, in addition to his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=21 July 2013 |title=List of Winners at the 60th Idea Filmfare Awards (South) |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/list-of-winners-at-the-60th-idea-filmfare-awards-south-3745.html |magazine=Filmfare |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615085637/https://www.filmfare.com/news/list-of-winners-at-the-60th-idea-filmfare-awards-south-3745.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=4 July 2013 |title=60th Idea Filmfare Awards 2013 (South) Nominations |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/60th-idea-filmfare-awards-2013-south-nominations-3603.html |magazine=Filmfare |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=15 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615085439/https://www.filmfare.com/features/60th-idea-filmfare-awards-2013-south-nominations-3603.html |url-status=live }}</ref> His last film of the year was ''Theevram'', a Malayalam film directed by Roopesh Peethambaran. The film was a box office failure.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-theevram-loses-its-steam-in-the-end/20121119.htm |title=Rediff Review: Theevram |access-date=31 October 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304124419/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-review-theevram-loses-its-steam-in-the-end/20121119.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=10 December 2012 |title=Malayalam movie 'Theevram' to have its sequel |url=http://www.news18.com/news/india/malayalam-movie-theevram-to-have-its-sequel-525961.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624113356/http://www.news18.com/news/india/malayalam-movie-theevram-to-have-its-sequel-525961.html |archive-date=24 June 2016 |website=News18}}</ref>

[[File:Dulquar.jpg|thumb|left|Salmaan at the 60th Filmfare Awards South in 2013, where he won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – South]]

In 2013, Salmaan first appeared in Martin Prakkat's Malayalam film ''ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi'' opposite Aparna Gopinath, in which he made his singing debut with "Johnny Mone Johnny".<ref name="Patt">{{Cite news |last=Saraswathy Nagarajan |date=10 October 2013 |title=Racing ahead |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/racing-ahead/article5221122.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131013045930/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/racing-ahead/article5221122.ece |archive-date=13 October 2013}}</ref> Though the film received mixed reviews, his performance was well received by critics. Sify stated: "It is Dulquer Salmaan's show all the way and in all fairness the young actor has given his heart and soul into his character."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Review : ABCD |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/abcd-review-malayalam-pcmaRMdbbabbi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701132524/http://www.sify.com/movies/abcd-review-malayalam-pcmaRMdbbabbi.html |archive-date=1 July 2016 |website=Sify}}</ref> The film was a box office success.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dulquer Salmaan's journey to stardom|url=https://www.sify.com/movies/dulquer-salmaans-journey-to-stardom-imagegallery-malayalam-pexnNrbdidhii.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619185619/http://www.sify.com/movies/dulquer-salmaans-journey-to-stardom-imagegallery-malayalam-pexnNrbdidhii.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=19 June 2015|website=Sify|date=18 June 2019}}</ref> He was also part of Amal Neerad's segment ''Kullante Bharya'' in the anthology film ''5 Sundarikal'' (2013).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ammu Zachariah |date=9 February 2013 |title=Dulquer, Reenu in Amal Neerad's 'Anju Sundarikal' |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/malayalam/news-and-interviews/Dulquer-Reenu-in-Amal-Neerads-Anju-Sundarikal/articleshow/18399738.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022064857/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/malayalam/news-and-interviews/Dulquer-Reenu-in-Amal-Neerads-Anju-Sundarikal/articleshow/18399738.cms |archive-date=22 October 2014 |website=The Times of India}}</ref> Salmaan then collaborated with Sameer Thahir in the Malayalam film ''Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi'', which was a road film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 January 2013 |title=Dulquer, Sunny Wayne starts another journey together |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/dulquer-sunny-wayne-starts-another-journey-together-news-malayalam-nb4pFrfjcgb.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303073238/http://www.sify.com/movies/dulquer-sunny-wayne-starts-another-journey-together-news-malayalam-nb4pFrfjcgb.html |archive-date=3 March 2016 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=13 August 2013 |title=Kerala Box-Office – Eid Weekend – August 9 to 11 |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=pl4rahbchbabe |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701132526/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=pl4rahbchbabe |archive-date=1 July 2016 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Nagarajan |first1=Saraswathy |date=7 December 2017 |title=Some vehicles that stole the show in Malayalam films |website=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/iconic-vehicles-from-some-unforgettable-malayalam-movies/article21290143.ece |access-date=15 April 2020}}</ref> His last release of the year was Alagappan's Malayalam film ''Pattam Pole'', which was a commercial failure.<ref name="Patt" /><ref name="DQBM">{{Cite web |last=Sethumadhavan N |date=7 June 2015 |title=Nivin, Dulquer, Prithvi and Fahadh, the new stars of Malayalam cinema |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/Nivin-Dulquer-Prithvi-and-Fahadh-the-new-stars-of-Malayalam-cinema/articleshow/47577494.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912141626/http://www.bangaloremirror.com/entertainment/south-masala/Nivin-Dulquer-Prithvi-and-Fahadh-the-new-stars-of-Malayalam-cinema/articleshow/47577494.cms |archive-date=12 September 2015 |website=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref> He played a Tamil Hindu who falls in love with a Christian girl opposite Malavika Mohanan.<ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/flights-of-romance/article5221113.ece "Flights of romance"]</ref>

=== Established actor (2014–2016) === Salmaan had five releases in 2014, a crucial year in his career. He first appeared in the Malayalam film ''Salalah Mobiles'' opposite Nazriya Nazim. A commercial failure, it could not garner much success for the actor.<ref name="DQBM" /><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20130729050143/http://www.sify.com/movies/nazriya-is-dulquer-s-heroine-in-salalah-mobiles-news-malayalam-nhxj6igbfib.html Nazriya is Dulquer's heroine in 'Salalah Mobiles']. Sify.com (23 July 2013). Retrieved on 12 January 2014.</ref> His next appearance was in the Tamil-Malayalam bilingual ''Vaayai Moodi Pesavum'', where he reunited with Nazriya Nazim. While the Malayalam version ''Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram'' was received poorly, the Tamil version received positive reviews and became a sleeper hit.<ref name="2014Ret">{{Cite news |last=M. P. Praveen |date=27 December 2014 |title=Tinsel town: The year of the underdogs |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/tinsel-town-the-year-of-the-underdogs/article6730338.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730055204/http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/tinsel-town-the-year-of-the-underdogs/article6730338.ece |archive-date=30 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2014 |title='Vaayai Moodi Pesavum', the surprise sleeper hit |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/vaayai-moodi-pesavum-the-surprise-sleeper-hit-news-tamil-ofqo04ggiddsi.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701135609/http://www.sify.com/movies/vaayai-moodi-pesavum-the-surprise-sleeper-hit-news-tamil-ofqo04ggiddsi.html |archive-date=1 July 2016 |website=Sify}}</ref> ''IANS'' stated that Salmaan is "a treat to watch" and added, "he earns extra brownie points for dubbing in his own voice and speaking flawless Tamil."<ref>{{Cite news |date=27 April 2014 |title='Vaayai Moodi Pesavum' – sometimes brilliant, sometimes contradictory |work=Business Standard |agency=IANS |url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/vaayai-moodi-pesavum-sometimes-brilliant-sometimes-contradictory-ians-tamil-movie-review-114042600377_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701185749/http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/vaayai-moodi-pesavum-sometimes-brilliant-sometimes-contradictory-ians-tamil-movie-review-114042600377_1.html |archive-date=1 July 2016}}</ref> He won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut – Tamil for his performance in the film.<ref name="Filmfare">{{Cite magazine |date=27 June 2015 |title=Winners of 62nd Britannia Filmfare Awards South |url=http://www.filmfare.com/news/winners-of-62nd-britannia-filmfare-awards-south-9643.html |magazine=Filmfare |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129092825/http://www.filmfare.com/news/winners-of-62nd-britannia-filmfare-awards-south-9643.html |archive-date=29 January 2016}}</ref> Salmaan felt that the film did not work in Malayalam due to the different sensibilities of the audience.<ref>{{Cite news |last=R |first=Hemanth Kumar C |date=28 February 2020 |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/i-m-very-greedy-about-my-filmography-having-superb-films-dulquer-salmaan-tnm-119110 |title='I'm very greedy about my filmography having superb films': Dulquer Salmaan to TNM |work=The News Minute |access-date=4 January 2024 |archive-date=4 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104101505/https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/i-m-very-greedy-about-my-filmography-having-superb-films-dulquer-salmaan-tnm-119110 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Salmaan established himself as a leading actor with Anjali Menon's Malayalam film ''Bangalore Days'', his third release of 2014. Salmaan played a biker Arjun, opposite Parvathy, with Nivin Pauly and Nazriya Nazim as his cousins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theweek.in/news/entertainment/2024/05/30/10-years-of-bangalore-days-how-dulquer-salmaan-fahadh-faasil-and-co-redefined-the-path-ahead-for-mollywood.html|work=The Week|title=10 years of 'Bangalore Days': How Dulquer Salmaan, Fahadh Faasil and co. redefined the path ahead for Mollywood|accessdate=31 May 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bangalore Days trailer: Fun, young and intriguing|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/bangalore-days-trailer-fun-young-and-intriguing-news-malayalam-ofipIejehgb.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508184158/http://www.sify.com/movies/bangalore-days-trailer-fun-young-and-intriguing-news-malayalam-ofipIejehgb.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=8 May 2014|website=Sify|date=8 May 2014|access-date=8 May 2014}}</ref> The film emerged as one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time, grossing around {{INRConvert|500|m}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=S. S. Kamal |date=6 January 2015 |title=No Hyderabad days yet |url=https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/south-masala/No-Hyderabad-days-yet/articleshow/45781766.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150806110455/http://www.bangaloremirror.com/entertainment/south-masala/No-Hyderabad-days-yet/articleshow/45781766.cms |archive-date=6 August 2015 |website=Bangalore Mirror}}</ref> Aswin J Kumar of ''The Times of India'' noted, "Dulquer brings in a rugged charm and a brusque carelessness into Arjun."<ref>Aswin J Kumar (1 June 2014). [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/35888896.cms "Bangalore Days-Review"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201114429/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/35888896.cms |date=1 February 2016 }}. The Times of India.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/readers-articles/bangalore-days-disney-hotstar-revisiting-the-timeless-appeal-fahadh-faasil-dulquer-salmaan-nivin-pauly|work=Film Companion|title=Revisiting the timeless appeal of Bangalore Days|date=28 June 2023 |accessdate=3 September 2023}}</ref> Later that year, he appeared in Lal Jose's Malayalam film ''Vikramadithyan'', where he played a police officer.<ref name="2014Ret" /> It was a box office success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=pl4raydifeefi|title=Kerala Box-Office July/Aug (up to Aug 17)|work=Sify|date=19 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616210250/http://www.sify.com/movies/boxoffice.php?id=pl4raydifeefi|archive-date=16 June 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> His year's last release was Renjith's Malayalam film ''Njaan'', which he called his "most challenging film yet".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shiba Kurian |date=18 June 2015 |title=Njaan is the most challenging film yet: Dulquer |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Njaan-is-the-most-challenging-film-yet-Dulquer/articleshow/36768883.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140926045452/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Njaan-is-the-most-challenging-film-yet-Dulquer/articleshow/36768883.cms |archive-date=26 September 2014}}</ref> His performance received favourable reviews and earned him his second Filmfare Best Actor – Malayalam nomination.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=24 June 2015 |title=Who will win the Best Actor (Male) award in Malayalam cinema? |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/who-will-win-the-best-actor-male-award-in-malayalam-cinema-9606-4.html |magazine=Filmfare |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814054802/https://www.filmfare.com/features/who-will-win-the-best-actor-male-award-in-malayalam-cinema-9606-4.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Further success came in 2015 with two films opposite Nithya Menen—Jenuse Mohamed's Malayalam film ''100 Days of Love'',<ref>Pramod Thomas (22 March 2015). [https://web.archive.org/web/20151127032820/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/Old-Wine-With-a-Varied-Flavour/2015/03/22/article2724512.ece "Old Wine With a Varied Flavour"]. ''The New Indian Express''. Retrieved 22 March 2015.</ref> and Mani Ratnam's Tamil film ''O Kadhal Kanmani'', where he played a video game developer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Juny Jacob |date=2 June 2015 |title='Kanmani' of south India |url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/interview/nithya-menen-kanmani-of-south-india.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109151404/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/interview/nithya-menen-kanmani-of-south-india.html |archive-date=9 January 2016 |website=Malayala Manorama}}</ref> Baradwaj Rangan wrote: "Dulquer checks off all boxes in the 'Can You Be The Next Madhavan?' questionnaire" and Haricharan Pudipeddi noted, "Dulquer is at ease, speaking his lines in Tamil; he looked most suitable in the role."<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150419093537/http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/o-kadhal-kanmani-review-a-refreshing-take-on-romance-and-relationship/article1-1338585.aspx O Kadhal Kanmani review: Mani Ratman's back with vintage romance]. Hindustantimes.com (21 April 2015). Retrieved on 19 May 2015.</ref> Though both believed the film belonged primarily to Menen.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baradwaj Rangan |date=17 April 2015 |title=O Kadhal Kanmani: A lightweight but enjoyable romance |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/a-lightweight-but-enjoyable-romance/article7113868.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730060035/http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/a-lightweight-but-enjoyable-romance/article7113868.ece |archive-date=30 July 2016}}</ref> Salmaan next played the titular role of a carefree vagabond in the Malayalam film ''Charlie'' opposite Parvathy. His performance earned him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor, in addition to his third Filmfare Best Actor – Malayalam nomination.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dulquer starts shooting for 'Charlie'|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/dulquer-starts-shooting-for-charlie-news-malayalam-pgpiOSgdfcejc.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615132846/http://www.sify.com/movies/dulquer-starts-shooting-for-charlie-news-malayalam-pgpiOSgdfcejc.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 June 2015|work=Sify|date=15 June 2015}}</ref><ref name="Filmfare actor">{{Cite magazine |title=Nominations for the 63rd Britannia Filmfare Awards (South) |url=http://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-of-the-63rd-britannia-filmfare-awards-south-13750-3.html#descArticle |magazine=Filmfare |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624143756/http://www.filmfare.com/features/nominations-of-the-63rd-britannia-filmfare-awards-south-13750-3.html |archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref> Vishnu Varma of ''The Indian Express'' noted, "For a film that gravitates and leans too much on the central character, Dulquer clearly does not disappoint. He has set the bar indeed high with this role."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/charlie-movie-review-starring-dulquer-salmaan-it-is-a-feel-good-movie/ |title=Charlie movie review: Dulquer Salmaan-Martin Prakkat weave a tantalising love tale |publisher=The Indian Express |date=29 December 2015 |access-date=11 January 2016}}</ref> All three films emerged as box office successes, thus establishing his career.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 April 2015 |title='Kanchana 2' and 'OK Kanmani' are super hits! |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/kanchana-2-and-ok-kanmani-are-super-hits-news-tamil-pevjEngjjhfde.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151005050821/http://www.sify.com/movies/kanchana-2-and-ok-kanmani-are-super-hits-news-tamil-pevjEngjjhfde.html |archive-date=5 October 2015 |website=Sify}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Pavada' rules box office; 'Two Countries', 'Charlie' running successfully|url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/kerala-box-office-collection-pavada-leads-two-countries-charlie-running.html|agency=Malayala Manorama|author=Onmanaorama Staff|date=18 January 2016|access-date=28 January 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Content over star power: Story of south cinema in first half of 2015|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional/content-over-star-power-story-of-south-cinema-in-first-half-of-2015/article1-1364817.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701105608/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional/content-over-star-power-story-of-south-cinema-in-first-half-of-2015/article1-1364817.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=1 July 2015|newspaper=Hindustan Times|author=Harichandran Puripeddi|location=Chennai|date=1 July 2015|accessdate=2 July 2015}}</ref>

Salmaan had two film releases in 2016. He first played a man facing anger management issues in the Malayalam film ''Kali'', opposite Sai Pallavi. The film emerged a commercial success.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 March 2016 |title='Kali' box-office report: Dulquer Salmaan starrer becomes biggest opener |work=Malayala Manorama |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/kali-dulquer-salmaan-sai-pallavi-movie-box-office-report.html |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814055524/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/kali-dulquer-salmaan-sai-pallavi-movie-box-office-report.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Deepa Soman of ''The Times of India'' stated, "Dulquer is quite convincing, without excess drama. The action scenes showcase his attitude and style."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/kali/movie-review/51582920.cms|title=Kali Movie Review|website=The Times of India}}</ref> He then played a lower cast boy in another Malayalam release ''Kammatipaadam'', which garnered critical acclaim; Salmaan's performance being praised.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goutham |first=VS |date=21 May 2016 |title=Kammatipaadam movie review: Dulquer Salmaan shines in a raw and realistic cut into the brutally buried history of Dalits |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/kammatipaadam-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-shines-in-a-raw-and-realistic-cut-into-the-brutally-buried-history-of-dalits-2811732/ |access-date=14 August 2023 |location=Thiruvananthapuram |archive-date=24 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210824085037/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/kammatipaadam-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-shines-in-a-raw-and-realistic-cut-into-the-brutally-buried-history-of-dalits-2811732/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/how-malayalam-film-kammatipaadam-shatters-stereotypes-about-caste-and-complexion-2800214.html|title=How Malayalam film 'Kammatipaadam' shatters stereotypes about caste and complexion|date=26 May 2016|website=Firstpost}}</ref> Both performances earned him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Malayalam.<ref name="Critics Award for Best Actor & Actress 2016">{{Cite magazine |date=17 June 2017 |title=Winners of the 64th Jio Filmfare Awards (South) |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/winners-of-the-64th-jio-filmfare-awards-south-21594.html |magazine=Filmfare |access-date=12 March 2020 |archive-date=16 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416113129/https://www.filmfare.com/news/winners-of-the-64th-jio-filmfare-awards-south-21594.html |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, he also had a cameo appearance in the Malayalam film ''Annmariya Kalippilaanu''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/annmaria-kalippilanu-sunny-wanye-movie-dq-in-cameo.html | title=Sunny Wayne-Midhun Manuel movie titled 'Annmaria Kalippilanu', first look out | publisher=Malayala Manroama | date=25 June 2016 | accessdate=18 July 2016 | archive-date=27 June 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627054556/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/annmaria-kalippilanu-sunny-wanye-movie-dq-in-cameo.html | url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Career progression and critical acclaim (2017–2021) === Salmaan had three film releases in 2017. He first appeared in the Malayalam film ''Jomonte Suvisheshangal'' opposite Anupama Parameswaran and Aishwarya Rajesh.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saraswathy Nagarajan |date=15 December 2016 |title=Adventures of Jomon |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Adventures-of-Jomon/article16832829.ece |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814055523/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/Adventures-of-Jomon/article16832829.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite comparisons with the 2016 Malayalam drama ''Jacobinte Swargarajyam'', the film did well commercially.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 January 2017 |title='Jomonte Suvisheshangal' a rip off of 'Jacobinte Swargarajyam'? |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/jomonte-suvisheshangal-a-rip-off-of-jacobinte-swargarajyam-news-malayalam-rbyqK5hhehbge.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170125134742/http://www.sify.com/movies/jomonte-suvisheshangal-a-rip-off-of-jacobinte-swargarajyam-news-malayalam-rbyqK5hhehbge.html |archive-date=25 January 2017 |website=Sify}}</ref> <ref>{{Cite web |last=James |first=Anu |date=20 January 2017 |title=Jomonte Suvisheshangal Kerala box office: Dulquer Salmaan-starrer surpasses Kasaba first day collection |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/jomonte-suvisheshangal-kerala-box-office-dulquer-salmaan-starrer-surpasses-kasaba-first-day-712990 |access-date=14 August 2023 |website=ibtimes.co.in |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814081013/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/jomonte-suvisheshangal-kerala-box-office-dulquer-salmaan-starrer-surpasses-kasaba-first-day-712990 |url-status=live }}</ref> His next appearance was in another Malayalam film ''Comrade in America''. ''The Hindu'' called it "Dulquer's big hit of 2017".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Saraswathy Nagarajan |date=22 September 2017 |title=Keeping up with Dulquer Salmaan |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/keeping-up-with-dulquer-salmaan/article19736660.ece |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923085902/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/keeping-up-with-dulquer-salmaan/article19736660.ece |archive-date=23 September 2017}}</ref> After a cameo appearance in ''Parava'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/071116/dulquer-salmaan-in-parava.html|title=Dulquer Salmaan in Parava|date=7 November 2016|newspaper=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=16 January 2017}}</ref> He then portrayed four roles in the Malayalam-Tamil bilingual anthology ''Solo''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=S Subhakeerthana |date=8 October 2017 |title=50 shades of Dulquer Salmaan: I enjoyed playing a negative character in 'Solo' |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/oct/07/50-shades-of-dulquer-salmaan-i-enjoyed-playing-a-negative-character-in-solo-1667871.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106132602/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/2017/oct/07/50-shades-of-dulquer-salmaan-i-enjoyed-playing-a-negative-character-in-solo-1667871.html |archive-date=6 November 2017 |url-status=live |website=New Indian Express}}</ref> The film faced immense backlash from the audience.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ashameera Aiyappan |date=16 October 2017 |title=Dulquer Salmaan on Solo climax controversy: It is like taking away creativity from an artiste |url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/dulquer-salmaan-on-solo-climax-controversy-it-is-like-taking-away-creativity-from-an-artiste-4888959/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171013190247/http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/regional/dulquer-salmaan-on-solo-climax-controversy-it-is-like-taking-away-creativity-from-an-artiste-4888959/ |archive-date=13 October 2017 |website=Indian Express}}</ref> Despite negative reviews, his performance was well received and Deepa Soman noted, "Dulquer, who plays four distinct characters, has also showcased a worthy performance. Especially as Siva, the gangster, he looks a lot more convincing in ''Solo'' than in other movies in which he has tried the role."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/solo/movie-review/60956774.cms|title=Solo review {3.5/5}: An experimental romantic thriller, Solo is the story of four different men, their love, rage and afterlife. |website=The Times of India|access-date=5 October 2017}}</ref>

In 2018, Salmaan expanded beyond Malayalam films. He first made his Telugu film debut with ''Mahanati'', playing Gemini Ganesan opposite Keerthy Suresh, who played Savitri.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kumar |first=Karthik |date=24 April 2017 |title=Dulquer pips Suriya and Madhavan, set to play Gemini Ganesan in Savitri biopic |work=Hindustan Times |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/dulquer-pips-suriya-and-madhavan-to-play-gemini-ganesan-in-savitri-biopic/story-dS1KR7yPAFUOcjYI6AhmhM.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912012058/http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/dulquer-pips-suriya-and-madhavan-to-play-gemini-ganesan-in-savitri-biopic/story-dS1KR7yPAFUOcjYI6AhmhM.html |archive-date=12 September 2017}}</ref> His performance earned him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu, in addition to his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Telugu.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Neeshita Nyayapati |date=30 August 2018 |title=Keerthy Suresh, Dulquer Salmaan and Nag Ashwin's Mahanati rakes in staggering TRP |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/keerthy-suresh-dulquer-salmaan-and-nag-ashwins-mahanati-rakes-in-staggering-trp/articleshow/65609367.cms |url-status=live |access-date=1 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901152709/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/keerthy-suresh-dulquer-salmaan-and-nag-ashwins-mahanati-rakes-in-staggering-trp/articleshow/65609367.cms |archive-date=1 September 2018}}</ref> The film emerged as one of the highest grossing Telugu film of all time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pudipeddi |first=Haricharan |date=2 July 2018 |title=Mahanati completes 50-day theatrical run, becomes highest grossing woman-led South Indian film |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mahanati-completes-50-day-theatrical-run-becomes-highest-grossing-woman-led-south-indian-film-4644911.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714173542/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mahanati-completes-50-day-theatrical-run-becomes-highest-grossing-woman-led-south-indian-film-4644911.html |archive-date=14 July 2018 |access-date=24 May 2018 |website=Firstpost}}</ref> Hemnath Kumar noted, "Dulquer is terrific as Ganesan, and it is his charm and flamboyance that pours life into the narrative throughout the first half."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Hemanth |date=9 May 2018 |title=Mahanati movie review: Savitri's life is laid down with authenticity, but lacks drama that it inherently demands |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mahanati-movie-review-savitris-life-is-laid-down-with-authenticity-but-lacks-drama-that-it-inherently-demands-4462883.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526060246/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/mahanati-movie-review-savitris-life-is-laid-down-with-authenticity-but-lacks-drama-that-it-inherently-demands-4462883.html |archive-date=26 May 2021 |access-date=24 May 2021 |website=Firstpost}}</ref> Following this, he made his debut in Hindi films with ''Karwaan'', co-starring Irrfan Khan, Mithila Palkar and Kriti Kharbanda.<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 August 2018 |title='Karwaan' actor Dulquer Salmaan was asked if he would do a biopic on his father Mammootty, here's what he had to say |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-karwaan-actor-dulquer-salmaan-was-asked-if-he-would-do-a-biopic-on-his-father-mammootty-here-s-what-he-had-to-say-2646859 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808212459/https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-karwaan-actor-dulquer-salmaan-was-asked-if-he-would-do-a-biopic-on-his-father-mammootty-here-s-what-he-had-to-say-2646859 |archive-date=8 August 2018}}</ref> The film was a moderate success at the box office.<ref>{{cite web |last=Mirani |first=Vinod |title=Box office: Karwaan trumps Fanney Khan, Mulk |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/box-office-karwaan-trumps-fanney-khan-mulk/20180807.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=16 February 2019 |date=7 August 2018 |archive-date=17 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217030234/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/box-office-karwaan-trumps-fanney-khan-mulk/20180807.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Anna MM Vetticad noted, "Dulquer gives a gripping performance as the self-effacing Avinash. He and Irrfan are absolute dears in a sweetly understated road flick."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/karwaan-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-and-irrfan-are-absolute-dears-in-a-sweetly-understated-road-flick-4884551.html |title=Karwaan movie review: Dulquer Salmaan and Irrfan are absolute dears in a sweetly understated road flick |work=Firstpost |access-date=5 August 2018 |language=en-US |archive-date=5 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180805174126/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/karwaan-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-and-irrfan-are-absolute-dears-in-a-sweetly-understated-road-flick-4884551.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Both of Salmaan's 2019 films performed poorly at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/the-zoya-factor/box-office/ |title=The Zoya Factor Box Office Collection till Now {{!}} Box Collection – Bollywood Hungama|last=Hungama|first=Bollywood|website=Bollywood Hungama |date=20 September 2019 |language=en|access-date=23 September 2019}}</ref> He first appeared in the Malayalam film ''Oru Yamandan Premakadha'' opposite Nikhila Vimal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Anjana George |date=16 July 2018 |title=Dulquer begins shooting for Oru Yamandan Prema Kadha |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dulquer-begins-shooting-for-oru-yamandan-premakatha/articleshow/64880323.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180821220855/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dulquer-begins-shooting-for-oru-yamandan-premakatha/articleshow/64880323.cms |archive-date=21 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sudhish |first=Navamy |date=27 April 2019 |title='Oru Yamandan Premakatha' review: A bland treat with feel-good factors |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/oru-yamandan-premakatha-review-a-bland-treat-with-feel-good-factors/article26966756.ece |url-status=live |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190428083912/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/oru-yamandan-premakatha-review-a-bland-treat-with-feel-good-factors/article26966756.ece |archive-date=28 April 2019 |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> He then played Indian cricket team's captain in the Hindi film ''The Zoya Factor'' opposite Sonam Kapoor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 March 2018 |title=Dulquer to begin work on Bollywood film 'The Zoya Factor' |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dulquer-begin-work-bollywood-film-zoya-factor-77248 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180812181455/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dulquer-begin-work-bollywood-film-zoya-factor-77248 |archive-date=12 August 2018 |access-date=23 March 2018 |website=The News Minute}}</ref> Despite mixed reviews, his performance was positively receive, and Nandini Ramnath was appreciative of his "camera-friendly manner and outsized charm" that stands out.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramnath |first=Nandini |date=20 September 2019 |title='The Zoya Factor' movie review: Dulquer Salmaan shines in romcom starring Sonam Kapoor |url=https://scroll.in/reel/937828/the-zoya-factor-movie-review-also-known-as-the-dulquer-salmaan-factor |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004100037/https://scroll.in/reel/937828/the-zoya-factor-movie-review-also-known-as-the-dulquer-salmaan-factor |archive-date=4 October 2019 |access-date=9 October 2019 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 September 2019 |title=The Zoya Factor review: Dulquer Salmaan hits it out of the park|work=The Indian Express|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/the-zoya-factor-movie-review-rating-6012252/lite/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190926115643/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/the-zoya-factor-movie-review-rating-6012252/lite/ |archive-date=26 September 2019 |access-date=9 October 2019}}</ref>

Salmaan appeared in three films in 2020 and also launched his production company, Wayfarer Films.<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 October 2019 |title=I Have Never Been More Excited About A Venture Of Mine: Dulquer Salmaan On His Production House Wayfarer Films |url=https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/dulquer-salmaan-launches-the-logo-of-his-film-production-house/ |access-date=14 August 2023 |website=Silverscreen India |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814055919/https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/dulquer-salmaan-launches-the-logo-of-his-film-production-house/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He first appeared opposite Kalyani Priyadarshan in the Malayalam film ''Varane Avashyamund'', which was his first production.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/anoop-sathyan-ropes-in-dulquer-and-kalyani-for-a-family-drama/articleshow/70922736.cms |title=Anoop Sathyan ropes in Dulquer and Kalyani for a family-drama |last=Sanjith Sidhardhan |date=1 September 2019 |work=The Times of India |access-date=1 January 2020}}</ref> The film emerged as one of the year's highest grossing release.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 February 2020 |title=Dulquer Salmaan's first production venture 'Varane Avashyamund' crosses Rs 25 crore |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dulquer-salmaans-first-production-venture-varane-avashyamund-crosses-rs-25-crore/articleshow/74303554.cms |access-date=28 May 2024 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> Cris of ''The News Minute'' stated, "Dulquer perhaps gets the least of the screen time and the actor appreciably does his little part well and lets the seniors take over."<ref>{{cite news |title=Varane Avashyamund movie review: This multistarrer is pleasant but shallow |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/flix/varane-avashyamund-review-multistarrer-pleasant-shallow-118189 |access-date=15 February 2020 |work=The News Minute |archive-date=29 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230929153554/https://www.thenewsminute.com/amp/story/flix/varane-avashyamund-review-multistarrer-pleasant-shallow-118189 |url-status=live}}</ref> He then played a con man opposite Ritu Varma in the Tamil film ''Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal'', which earned him his first nomination for Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal trailer out: Dulquer Salmaan takes you on a crazy ride |language=en |work=India Today |agency=Ist |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kannum-kannum-kollaiyadithaal-trailer-out-dulquer-salmaan-take-us-for-a-crazy-ride-1574518-2019-07-28 |url-status=live |access-date=29 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806130245/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kannum-kannum-kollaiyadithaal-trailer-out-dulquer-salmaan-take-us-for-a-crazy-ride-1574518-2019-07-28 |archive-date=6 August 2019}}</ref> S. Subhakeerthana noted, "If we look beyond Dulquer's box office pull, it is his energy, screen presence and earnest approach to acting that takes the cake in the film."<ref>{{cite news |title=Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal movie review: An easy, fun watch |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/kannum-kannum-kollaiyadithaal-review-rating-dulquer-salmaan-6291409/ |access-date=28 February 2020 |archive-date=28 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228125029/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/kannum-kannum-kollaiyadithaal-review-rating-dulquer-salmaan-6291409/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film was a box office success.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 February 2020 |title='Kannum Kannum Kollaiyadithaal': Dulquer Salmaan and Ritu Varma's romantic thriller gets a better response than expected |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kannum-kannum-kollaiyadithaal-twitter-review-dulquer-salmaan-and-ritu-varmas-romantic-thriller-gets-a-better-response-than-expected/articleshow/74378751.cms |access-date=17 August 2023 |issn=0971-8257 |archive-date=17 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230817141941/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kannum-kannum-kollaiyadithaal-twitter-review-dulquer-salmaan-and-ritu-varmas-romantic-thriller-gets-a-better-response-than-expected/articleshow/74378751.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> He then appeared in a cameo in his production Malayalam film ''Maniyarayile Ashokan''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Dulquer Salmaan's production titled 'Maniyarayile Ashokan' |work=The New Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2019/Oct/04/dulquer-salmaans-production-titled-maniyarayile-ashokan-2043382.html |url-status=live |access-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191006171624/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2019/oct/05/dulquer-salmaans-production-titled-maniyarayile-ashokan-2043382.amp |archive-date=6 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Dulquer to play a cameo in Jacob Gregory film |language=en |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dulquer-to-play-a-cameo-in-jacob-gregory-film/articleshow/71359021.cms |url-status=live |access-date=9 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004012413/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dulquer-to-play-a-cameo-in-jacob-gregory-film/articleshow/71359021.cms |archive-date=4 October 2019}}</ref>

His only release in 2021 was the Malayalam film ''Kurup'', where he played the titular role of Sukumara Kurup opposite Sobhita Dhulipala. The film marked his third production venture. One of the highest grossing Malayalam film of all time, it became his highest grosser at that time.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 July 2018 |title=Dulquer Salmaan's next titled Kurup |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-next-titled-kurup-5283098/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731154401/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-next-titled-kurup-5283098/ |archive-date=31 July 2018 |website=Indian Express}}</ref> Haricharan Pudipeddi noted: "As the central character, Dulquer plays Kurup with unmatchable swag and effortlessness, adding swag and sincerity while playing the elusive fugitive."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/others/kurup-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-s-film-is-a-compelling-crime-drama-about-an-elusive-fugitive-101636720540839-amp.html |title=Kurup movie review: Dulquer Salmaan's film is a compelling crime drama about an elusive fugitive |date=12 November 2021 |access-date=19 November 2021 |work=The Hindustan Times}}</ref>

=== Commercial success and recognition (2022–present) ===

Salmaan's first release of 2022 was the Tamil film ''Hey Sinamika'' opposite Aditi Rao Hydari and Kajal Aggarwal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/dulquer-salmaan-starrer-hey-sinamika-to-hit-screens-on-march-3-1078406.html|title=Dulquer Salmaan-starrer 'Hey Sinamika' to hit screens on March 3|work=Deccan Herald|date=5 February 2022|access-date=5 February 2022|archive-date=5 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205135204/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/dulquer-salmaan-starrer-hey-sinamika-to-hit-screens-on-march-3-1078406.html|url-status=live}}</ref> It was a box office failure.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/thank-you-radhe-shyam-liger-a-look-at-the-biggest-flops-of-south-cinema/hey-sinamika/slideshow/95660120.cms|website=The Economic Times|date=21 November 2022|title='Thank You', 'Radhe Shyam', 'Liger': A Look At The Biggest Flops Of South Cinema}}</ref> His next co-production, Malayalam film ''Salute'' opposite Diana Penty was released on SonyLIV and fetched him positive reviews for his portrayal of a police officer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Suri |first=Ridhi |date=16 March 2022 |title=Father-son duo Mammootty, Dulquer Salmaan films 'Puzhu' & 'Salute' to have OTT release |language=en |work=India TV News |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/ott/father-son-duo-mammootty-dulquer-salmaan-films-puzhu-salute-to-have-ott-release-2022-03-16-764625 |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331183316/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/ott/father-son-duo-mammootty-dulquer-salmaan-films-puzhu-salute-to-have-ott-release-2022-03-16-764625 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=18 March 2022|title=Salute movie review: Dulquer Salmaan takes on an unconventional police drama|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/salute-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-takes-on-an-unconventional-police-drama-10469501.html|access-date=10 October 2022|work=Firstpost}}</ref> Salmaan then appeared in the Telugu film ''Sita Ramam'' opposite Mrunal Thakur, that won him the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 August 2022 |title=Sita Ramam: Rashmika Mandanna talks about success of Dulquer Salmaan-Mrunal Thakur's film |language=en |work=DNA India |url=https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-sita-ramam-rashmika-mandanna-talks-about-success-of-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakur-s-film-2975357 |access-date=10 August 2022 |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810070721/https://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-sita-ramam-rashmika-mandanna-talks-about-success-of-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakur-s-film-2975357 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jain |first=Vaishali |date=10 August 2022 |title=Sita Ramam Box Office Collection: Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur, Rashmika Mandanna's film remains rock steady |language=en |work=India TV |url=https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/regional-cinema/sita-ramam-box-office-collection-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakur-rashmika-mandanna-film-remains-rock-steady-2022-08-10-798786 |access-date=10 August 2022 |archive-date=10 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810034943/https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/regional-cinema/sita-ramam-box-office-collection-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakur-rashmika-mandanna-film-remains-rock-steady-2022-08-10-798786 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite being a Malayali, he dubbed in all the languages in which the film was released, thus becoming a prominent pan-Indian actor with the film.<ref>{{Cite news |date=28 July 2021 |title=Dulquer Salmaan as Lieutenant Ram in director Hanu Raghavapudi's Telugu film |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dulquer-salmaans-second-telugu-film-to-be-directed-by-hanu-raghavapudi/article59864968.ece |access-date=29 July 2022 |issn=0971-751X |archive-date=25 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220625221609/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dulquer-salmaans-second-telugu-film-to-be-directed-by-hanu-raghavapudi/article59864968.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> The film and his performance received critical acclaim and the film proved to be a major commercial success at the box-office. Janani K of ''India Today'' noted, "Dulquer Salmaan hit it out of the park with their performance. Dulquer as Ram and Mrunal as Sita are picture perfect."<ref>{{cite news |last1=K |first1=Janani |date=5 August 2022 |title=Sita Ramam Movie Review: Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur's film aims to be a poignant love story, but falls short |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/sita-ramam-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakur-s-film-aims-to-be-a-poignant-love-story-but-falls-short-1984200-2022-08-05 |work=India Today |access-date=11 November 2023 |archive-date=4 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404051242/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/sita-ramam-movie-review-dulquer-salmaan-mrunal-thakur-s-film-aims-to-be-a-poignant-love-story-but-falls-short-1984200-2022-08-05 |url-status=live }}</ref> His last release that year was the Hindi film ''Chup: Revenge of the Artist'', which received mixed reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 September 2022 |title=Chup: Revenge of the Artist review – a killer Bollywood horror to frighten film critics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/22/chup-revenge-of-the-artist-review-a-killer-bollywood-horror-to-frighten-film-critics |access-date=3 October 2022 |language=en |newspaper=The Guardian |archive-date=24 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924071617/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/sep/22/chup-revenge-of-the-artist-review-a-killer-bollywood-horror-to-frighten-film-critics |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Chup: Revenge Of The Artist Movie: Showtimes, Review, Trailer, Posters, News & Videos {{!}} eTimes |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/chup-revenge-of-the-artist/movieshow/93772806.cms |access-date=18 October 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018164223/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/chup-revenge-of-the-artist/movieshow/93772806.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=21 September 2022 |title=Fans praise Dulquer Salmaan's performance in Chup: 'Hits it out of the park' |language=en |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/fans-praise-dulquer-salmaan-performance-in-chup-8164761/ |access-date=18 October 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018164224/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/fans-praise-dulquer-salmaan-performance-in-chup-8164761/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2023, Salmaan first appeared in the Hindi web series ''Guns & Gulaabs'', a Netflix series.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 September 2022 |title=Guns and Gulaabs teaser: Raj & DK explore man's dark side in new Netflix series with Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salman |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/guns-and-gulaabs-teaser-raj-dk-explore-man-s-dark-side-in-new-netflix-series-101663999893142.html |access-date=3 October 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=3 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003012447/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/guns-and-gulaabs-teaser-raj-dk-explore-man-s-dark-side-in-new-netflix-series-101663999893142.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He played a Narcotics officer opposite Pooja Gor.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 April 2022 |title=Raj and DK wrap up shoot of Netflix series 'Guns & Gulaabs' |url=https://theprint.in/features/raj-and-dk-wrap-up-shoot-of-netflix-series-guns-gulaabs/909526/ |access-date=29 August 2022 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> Saibal Chatterjee stated that he gives a "wonderful performance".<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 August 2023 |title=Guns & Gulaabs Review: Marvellously Whacky Crime Drama Is Watchable All The Way |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/guns-gulaabs-review-marvellously-whacky-crime-drama-is-watchable-all-the-way-4-stars-4308304 |access-date=28 August 2023 |website=NDTV |language=en-US}}</ref> Next he appeared in the Malayalam film ''King of Kotha'' opposite Aishwarya Lekshmi, which he also co-produced, but was a box office failure.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1 October 2022 |title=King of Kotha first look: Dulquer Salmaan looks rugged in this rustic action thriller |language=en |work=The Indian Express |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/king-of-kotha-dulquer-salmaan-rugged-rustic-action-thriller-poster-8184751/ |access-date=18 October 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018164223/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/king-of-kotha-dulquer-salmaan-rugged-rustic-action-thriller-poster-8184751/ |url-status=live }}</ref> That year, he also starred in the music video "Heeriye", sung by Jasleen Royal and Arijit Singh.<ref>{{cite news |title=Heeriye song: Dulquer Salmaan is prince charming in this Jasleen Royal-Arijit Singh track carved out of Heer Ranjha |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/heeriye-song-dulquer-salmaan-prince-charming-jasleen-royal-arijit-singh-track-heer-ranjha-8859175/ |access-date=25 July 2023 |work=The Indian Express |date=25 July 2023 |archive-date=25 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230725103006/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/music/heeriye-song-dulquer-salmaan-prince-charming-jasleen-royal-arijit-singh-track-heer-ranjha-8859175/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Salmaan started 2024 with a cameo appearance in the Telugu film ''Kalki 2898 AD'', which became the year's second highest-grossing Indian film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2024 |title=Complete list of Prabhas' Kalki 2898 AD cameos: From A-list stars to famous filmmakers |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/prabhas-kalki-2898-ad-cameos-complete-list-dulquer-salmaan-vijay-deverakonda-mrunal-thakur-ram-gopal-varma-ss-rajamouli-9418563/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627115228/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/telugu/prabhas-kalki-2898-ad-cameos-complete-list-dulquer-salmaan-vijay-deverakonda-mrunal-thakur-ram-gopal-varma-ss-rajamouli-9418563/ |archive-date=27 June 2024 |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> His next release that year was another Telugu film ''Lucky Baskhar'' opposite Meenakshi Chaudhary.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 May 2023 |title=Dulquer Salmaan's film with Venky Atluri touted to be pan-Indian action drama |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/king-of-kotha-dulquer-salmaans-film-with-venky-atluri-touted-to-be-pan-indian-action-drama-2379923-2023-05-16 |access-date=5 August 2024 |website=India Today |language=en |archive-date=5 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805104554/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/king-of-kotha-dulquer-salmaans-film-with-venky-atluri-touted-to-be-pan-indian-action-drama-2379923-2023-05-16 |url-status=live }}</ref> Sangeetha Devi Dundoo noted, "Dulquer portrays Baskhar with all sincerity. Dulquer is in control, both in speaking the language and enhancing the solid writing in the later portions."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dundoo |first=Sangeetha Devi |date=31 October 2024 |title='Lucky Baskhar' movie review: An entertaining drama from Venky Atluri and Dulquer Salmaan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/lucky-baskhar-movie-review-an-entertaining-drama-from-venky-atluri-and-dulquer-salmaan/article68813439.ece |access-date=3 November 2024 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref> A box office success, it emerged as his highest grossing release.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 November 2024 |title=Top take on south Indian cinema news - EasternEye |url=https://www.easterneye.biz/top-take-on-south-indian-cinema-news/ |access-date=29 November 2024 |language=en-GB}}</ref> His performance won him the Telangana Gaddar Film Award – Special Jury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/ampstories/entertainment/gaddar-telangana-film-awards-heres-who-won-big-in-telangana-3564452|title=Gaddar Telangana Film Awards: Here's who won big in Telangana|date=30 May 2025|website=www.deccanherald.com}}</ref>

== Personal life == On 22 December 2011, Salmaan married architect Amal Sufiya in an arranged marriage. Amal comes from a North Indian Muslim family settled in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Shiba Kurian |title=Mollywood celebs's honeymoon diaries |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Mollywood-celebss-honeymoon-diaries/articleshow/11488151.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141030193848/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/regional/news-interviews/Mollywood-celebss-honeymoon-diaries/articleshow/11488151.cms |archive-date=30 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 December 2011 |title=Mammootty's son gets married |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/mammoottys-son-gets-married/20111223.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304125605/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/mammoottys-son-gets-married/20111223.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |publisher=Rediff}}</ref> The couple has a daughter born on 5 May 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 May 2017 |title=Dulquer Salmaan and wife sadiqah blessed with baby girl, Mammootty becomes grandfather |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-and-wife-amal-blessed-with-baby-girl-mammootty-becomes-grandfather-4642243/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019175311/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-and-wife-amal-blessed-with-baby-girl-mammootty-becomes-grandfather-4642243/ |archive-date=19 October 2019 |access-date=5 May 2017 |website=The Indian Express}}</ref> In an interview, Dulquer revealed he and Amal attended the same school. Dulquer later initiated contact by messaging Amal on Facebook to arrange a coffee meeting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 August 2024 |title= 'I thought maybe this was a sign': Dulquer recollects how he met Amal |url= https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/trivia/dulquer-about-meeting-amal-and-his-first-message-to-her-1.8848639#:~:text=They%20studied%20in%20the%20same,in%20a%20romantic%20sense%20then. | access-date= 9 January 2025 |website=Mathrubhumi}}</ref>

== Other work and public image == thumb|Salmaan in 2019

Salmaan is considered among the most popular and highest-paid actors of Malayalam cinema.<ref name="DQ1">{{Cite web |title=Mammootty to Mohanlal: Highest paid actors in the Malayalam film industry |access-date=21 August 2022 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-to-prithviraj-sukumaran-highest-paid-actors-in-the-malayalam-film-industry/amp_etphotostory/92878791.cms |work=The Times of India |date=14 July 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014083321/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/mammootty-to-prithviraj-sukumaran-highest-paid-actors-in-the-malayalam-film-industry/amp_etphotostory/92878791.cms |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="DQ2">{{Cite news |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/06/03/mohanlal-mammootty-highest-paid-malayalam-actors-top-list.html |access-date=28 November 2022 |title=Highest paid Malayalam actors, check who tops the list |work=Onmanorama |archive-date=29 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229050820/https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/06/03/mohanlal-mammootty-highest-paid-malayalam-actors-top-list.amp.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2017, he appeared in ''Forbes India''{{'s}} Celebrity 100 list, where he was placed at 79th position with an estimated annual income of {{INRConvert|92.8|m}}.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/lists/2017-celebrity-100/1665/1 |title=2017 Celebrity 100 |work=Forbes India |access-date=20 December 2018 |archive-date=19 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219063445/https://www.forbesindia.com/lists/2017-celebrity-100/1665/1 |url-status=live}}</ref> He stood at the 6th place in its most influential stars on Instagram in South cinema for the year 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet the 30 most influential social media stars of South cinema |access-date=17 December 2022 |url=https://www.forbesindia.com/article/south-celebrity-special-2021/meet-the-most-influential-social-media-stars-of-south-cinema/71017/1 |work=Forbes India |archive-date=10 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230310062133/https://www.forbesindia.com/amp/article/south-celebrity-special-2021/meet-the-most-influential-social-media-stars-of-south-cinema/71017/1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Salmaan was placed fifth in ''Rediff.com'' "Best Malayalam Actor" list of 2012 and 2015.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-the-top-malayalam-actors-of-2012/20130109.htm |access-date=25 November 2021 |title=The Top Malayalam Actors of 2012 |work=Rediff.com |date=9 January 2013 |archive-date=22 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210722133825/https://m.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-south-the-top-malayalam-actors-of-2012/20130109.htm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://m.rediff.com/movies/report/the-top-5-malayalam-actors-of-2015/20151230.htm |access-date=23 September 2022 |title=Top Performances by Malayalam Actors in 2015 |work=Rediff.com |date=10 January 2014 |archive-date=7 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507074629/https://m.rediff.com/movies/report/the-top-5-malayalam-actors-of-2015/20151230.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> A research study conducted in 2023 by Indian Institute of Human Brands (IIHB) stated that Salmaan was the second highest-ranked celebrity in Malayalam cinema.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/research/suriya-is-the-number-one-celebrity-in-south-india-report/97019588 |title=Suriya is the number one celebrity in South India: Report |date=16 January 2023 |website=Economic Times |accessdate=27 January 2023}}</ref>

Salmaan was ranked fourth by ''GQ'' in their listing of the 50 most influential young Indians of 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 2016 |title=50 Most Influential Young Indians: Performers |url=https://www.gqindia.com/galleries/50-most-influential-young-indians-performers |access-date=12 October 2019 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011134921/https://www.gqindia.com/galleries/50-most-influential-young-indians-performers |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Proud moment: Dulquer Salmaan among the 50 most influential young Indians |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/dulquer-salmaan-among-the-50-most-influential-young-indians.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724164114/https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/dulquer-salmaan-among-the-50-most-influential-young-indians.html |archive-date=24 July 2019 |access-date=12 October 2019 |website=OnManorama}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Great news: Dulquer among Most Influential Young Indians |url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/movie-news/great-news-dulquer-among-most-influential-young-indians-english-news-1.1177402 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012071317/https://english.mathrubhumi.com/movies-music/movie-news/great-news-dulquer-among-most-influential-young-indians-english-news-1.1177402 |archive-date=12 October 2019 |access-date=12 October 2019 |website=Mathrubhumi |date=3 July 2016 |language=en}}</ref> He was also featured by ''GQ'' in their listing of the Best Dressed Men India 2016.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 October 2019 |title=Dulquer Salmaan on growing up a star kid and working in Bollywood |url=https://www.vogue.in/fashion/content/dulquer-salmaan-interview-growing-up-a-star-kid-mammootty-malayalam-films-working-in-bollywood-vogue-india-october-2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012105931/https://www.vogue.in/fashion/content/dulquer-salmaan-interview-growing-up-a-star-kid-mammootty-malayalam-films-working-in-bollywood-vogue-india-october-2019 |archive-date=12 October 2019 |access-date=12 October 2019 |website=Vogue India |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=28 July 2017 |title=Dulquer Salmaan should be your style inspiration. Here's why |url=https://www.gqindia.com/content/dulquer-salmaan-style-inspiration-heres |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728163033/https://www.gqindia.com/content/dulquer-salmaan-style-inspiration-heres/ |archive-date=28 July 2017 |access-date=12 October 2019 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 June 2016 |title=We picked the best dressed men in India |url=https://www.gqindia.com/galleries/gallery-for-we-picked-the-best-dressed-men-in-india |access-date=12 October 2019 |website=GQ India |language=en-IN |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516123932/https://www.gqindia.com/galleries/gallery-for-we-picked-the-best-dressed-men-in-india |url-status=live }}</ref> Salmaan was named the Kochi Times Most Desirable Man in 2013, 2014 and 2020.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Prakash |first=Asha |title=Kochi Times Most Desirable Man 2013: Dulquer Salmaan |language=en |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Kochi-Times-Most-Desirable-Man-2013-Dulquer-Salmaan/articleshow/36894151.cms |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106090639/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Kochi-Times-Most-Desirable-Man-2013-Dulquer-Salmaan/articleshow/36894151.cms |archive-date=6 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Dulquer on being the Most Desirable Man 2014 |language=en |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Dulquer-on-being-the-Most-Desirable-Man-2014/articleshow/46916354.cms |url-status=live |access-date=12 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106183343/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Dulquer-on-being-the-Most-Desirable-Man-2014/articleshow/46916354.cms |archive-date=6 November 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Kochi Times Most Desirable Men of 2020: Dulquer Salmaan |language=en |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kochi-times-most-desirable-men-of-2020/articleshow/83175935.cms |url-status=live |access-date=10 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926183343/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/kochi-times-most-desirable-men-of-2020/amp_articleshow/83175935.cms |archive-date=26 September 2022}}</ref> In 2019, Salmaan became the first Malayalam actor to get featured on the cover of ''Vogue India''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Nayanthara and Dulquer Salmaan's latest photoshoot leaves fans stunned! |url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/10/08/nayanthara-dulquer-salmaan-vogue-photoshoot.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008075848/https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/10/08/nayanthara-dulquer-salmaan-vogue-photoshoot.html |archive-date=8 October 2019 |access-date=23 October 2019 |website=Malayala Manorama |language=en}}</ref> Salmaan has acted in a short film as part of the Kerala motor vehicle department's safe riding campaign.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 October 2015 |title=ദുൽഖർ മോട്ടോർ വാഹന വകുപ്പിന്റെ നായകൻ |language=ml |work=Malayala Manorama |url=https://www.manoramaonline.com/fasttrack/auto-news/dulquar-salman-s-safe-riding-campaign-movie.html |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814060304/https://www.manoramaonline.com/fasttrack/auto-news/dulquar-salman-s-safe-riding-campaign-movie.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He donated 150 items, including clothing, shoes, books, school supplies and crockery items, as a part of the Chennai Gives initiative.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Asha Prakash |date=5 September 2015 |title=Dulquer donates 150 items to Chennai Gives initiative |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/Dulquer-donates-150-items-to-Chennai-Gives-initiative/articleshow/48836282.cms |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730051213/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/Dulquer-donates-150-items-to-Chennai-Gives-initiative/articleshow/48836282.cms |archive-date=30 July 2016}}</ref> In addition, he used to run a web portal for trading cars, and a dental business chain in Chennai.<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 June 2015 |title=Dulquer Salmaan ran a web portal for car trading |work=The Times of India |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/did-you-know-/Dulquer-Salmaan-ran-a-web-portal-for-car-trading/articleshow/47814873.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629141622/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/did-you-know-/Dulquer-Salmaan-ran-a-web-portal-for-car-trading/articleshow/47814873.cms |archive-date=29 June 2015}}</ref> He also is the director of the Bangalore-based Motherhood Hospital.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Reghu Balakrishnan |date=19 July 2016 |title=TPG Growth buys actor Mammootty's hospital chain |work=Mint |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/RVw6XxRYKfSMy1K5i0mCWM/TPG-Growth-buys-actor-Mammoottys-hospital-chain.html |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814060508/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/RVw6XxRYKfSMy1K5i0mCWM/TPG-Growth-buys-actor-Mammoottys-hospital-chain.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Salmaan is a celebrity endorser for brands such as Myntra, JSW Paints, Smoodh and PhonePe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/marketing/myntra-signs-hrithik-roshan-vijay-deverakonda-and-dulquer-salmaan-as-brand-ambassadors/85002387 |title=Myntra signs Hrithik Roshan, Vijay Deverakonda and Dulquer Salmaan as brand ambassador |date=3 August 2021 |website=Economic Times |accessdate=29 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://brandequity.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/advertising/dulquer-salmaan-and-alia-bhatt-brings-their-khoobsurat-soch-to-life-with-jsw-paints/113938289 |title=Dulquer Salmaan and Alia Bhatt brings their 'khoobsurat soch' to life with JSW Paints |date=4 October 2024 |website=Economic Times |accessdate=25 November 2024}}</ref> In 2024, Salmaan was placed 59th on IMDb's List of 100 Most Viewed Indian Stars.<ref>{{Cite web |accessdate=29 August 2024 |title=Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan Top IMDb's List of Most Viewed Indian Stars |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/deepika-padukone-shah-rukh-khan-imdb-indian-stars-list-1236018332/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241122092159/https://variety.com/2024/film/news/deepika-padukone-shah-rukh-khan-imdb-indian-stars-list-1236018332/ |archive-date=22 November 2024 |website=Variety |date=29 May 2024 }}</ref>

== Filmography ==

{{Main|Dulquer Salmaan filmography}}

== Discography == * '''(D)''' indicates dubbing. {| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |+ {{Sronly|List of Dulquer Salmaan songs}} |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Album ! scope="col" | Song / Voice ! scope="col" | Language ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference(s)}} |- | 2013 ! scope="row" | ''ABCD: American-Born Confused Desi'' | "Johny Mone Johny" | rowspan="12"|Malayalam |<ref name="Patt" /> |- | 2014 ! scope="row" | ''Manglish'' | "Njanga Poneanutta" | <ref>{{Cite news |date=24 July 2014 |title=Language of Romance |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/manglish-a-story-of-crosscultural-romance/article6241130.ece |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814061058/https://www.thehindu.com/features/friday-review/manglish-a-story-of-crosscultural-romance/article6241130.ece |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2015 ! scope="row" | ''Charlie'' | "Chundari Penne" |<ref name="Charlie">{{Cite web |date=25 December 2015 |title=Video out: Dulquer sings 'Chundari Penne' for 'Charlie' |url=http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/dulquer-salmaan-chundari-penne-video-charlie-parvathy-gopi-sunder.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410160237/http://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/dulquer-salmaan-chundari-penne-video-charlie-parvathy-gopi-sunder.html |archive-date=10 April 2016 |website=Malayala Manorama}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | 2017 ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | ''Comrade in America'' | "Vaanam Thilathilakkanu" |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sundar |first=Priyanka |date=22 April 2017 |title=CIA song Vaanam Thilathilakkanu: Dulquer Salmaan lends his voice for a massy number |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/cia-comrade-in-america-song-vaanam-thilathilakkanu-dulquer-salmaan-lends-his-voice-for-a-massy-number-watch-video-4624094/ |access-date=14 August 2023 |publisher=Indian Express |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814144713/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/cia-comrade-in-america-song-vaanam-thilathilakkanu-dulquer-salmaan-lends-his-voice-for-a-massy-number-watch-video-4624094/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | "Kerala Manninayi" |<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 May 2017 |title=Dulquer Salmaan's 'Comrade in America' song 'Kerala Manninayi' lyric video is here |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/dulquer-salmaans-comrade-in-america-song-kerala-manninayi-lyric-video-is-here/articleshow/58623908.cms |url-status=live |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826083533/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/dulquer-salmaans-comrade-in-america-song-kerala-manninayi-lyric-video-is-here/articleshow/58623908.cms |archive-date=26 August 2018}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Parava'' | "Ormakal" | <ref>{{Cite news |date=19 December 2017 |title=Stepping out of comfort zone: Rex Vijayan |work=Deccan Chronicle |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/201217/stepping-out-of-comfort-zone-rex-vijayan.html |access-date=14 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814061057/https://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/mollywood/201217/stepping-out-of-comfort-zone-rex-vijayan.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2018 ! scope="row" | ''Kalyanam'' | "Dhrithangapulakithan" |<ref>{{Cite news |date=13 January 2018 |title=Kalyanam's second song is sung by Dulquer Salmaan and Jacob Gregory |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/kalyanams-second-song-is-sung-by-dulquer-salmaan-and-jacob-gregory/articleshow/62486432.cms |url-status=live |access-date=30 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826051005/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/music/kalyanams-second-song-is-sung-by-dulquer-salmaan-and-jacob-gregory/articleshow/62486432.cms |archive-date=26 August 2018}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Malayala Manorama AD'' | "Puthu Malayalam" |<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AglGCYw3AA |title=Dulquer Salmaan, Malayala Manorama drive to celebrate the new Malayalam & Kerala {{!}} Martin Prakkat |date=27 June 2018 |publisher=Manorama Online |access-date=30 September 2018 |via=YouTube |archive-date=7 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201007222350/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AglGCYw3AA |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2019 ! scope="row" | ''Dear Comrade'' '''(D)''' | "Comrade Anthem" |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Matthews |first=Anna |date=19 July 2019 |title=DQ rocks the Dear Comrade Anthem |language=en |work=The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dq-rocks-the-dear-comrade-anthem/articleshow/70290422.cms |url-status=live |access-date=19 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190721151335/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dq-rocks-the-dear-comrade-anthem/articleshow/70290422.cms |archive-date=21 July 2019}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | ''Sarbath Kadha'' | "Sarbath Anthem" | <ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaEwlcNgEoM |title=Sarbath Anthem Lyric Video Ft Dulquer Salmaan {{!}} A Sarbath Kadha {{!}} Advaith Jayasurya {{!}} Krishna Raaj |date=8 October 2019 |publisher=Muzik247 |access-date=30 September 2018 |via=YouTube |archive-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105011651/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uaEwlcNgEoM |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2020 ! scope="row" | ''Maniyarayile Ashokan'' | "Unnimaya Song" |<ref name="ManiyarayileAshokan">{{Cite news |date=28 July 2020 |title=WATCH {{!}} Dulquer, Gregory sing 'monjathi penne Unnimaye' for film 'Maniyarayile Ashokan' |work=The New Indian Express |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/jul/28/watch--dulquer-gregory-sing-monjathi-penne-unnimaye-for-film-maniyarayile-ashokan-2175977.html |access-date=3 September 2020 |archive-date=31 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831055023/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2020/jul/28/watch--dulquer-gregory-sing-monjathi-penne-unnimaye-for-film-maniyarayile-ashokan-2175977.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2021 ! scope="row" | ''Kurup'' | "Dingiri Dingale" |<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 February 2022 |title=Listen To Popular Malayalam Official Audio Song 'Dingiri Dingale' From Movie 'Kurup' Starring Dulquer Salmaan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/music/malayalam/listen-to-popular-malayalam-official-audio-song-dingiri-dingale-from-movie-kurup-starring-dulquer-salmaan/videoshow/89615505.cms |access-date=14 August 2023 |publisher=Times of India |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814144713/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/music/malayalam/listen-to-popular-malayalam-official-audio-song-dingiri-dingale-from-movie-kurup-starring-dulquer-salmaan/videoshow/89615505.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | 2022 ! scope="row" | ''Hey Sinamika'' | "Achamillai Achamillai" | Tamil |<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2022 |title=Dulquer Salmaan shares a video of him rehearsing for Achamillai song from 'Hey Sinamika' |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/regional/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-shares-a-video-of-him-rehearsing-for-achamillai-song-from-hey-sinamika/videoshow/88980786.cms |access-date=14 August 2023 |website=Times of India |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814144713/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/regional/malayalam/dulquer-salmaan-shares-a-video-of-him-rehearsing-for-achamillai-song-from-hey-sinamika/videoshow/88980786.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> |}

== Accolades == {{Main|List of awards and nominations received by Dulquer Salmaan}}

Salmaan has received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for ''Charlie''. Additionally, he has won five Filmfare Awards South out of eleven nominations: Best Male Debut – South for ''Ustad Hotel'' and ''Vaayai Moodi Pesavum'', Best Actor Critics – Malayalam for ''Kali'' and ''Kammatipaadam'', and Best Actor Critics – Telugu for ''Mahanati'' and ''Sita Ramam''. He has also won Gaddar Telangana State Film Award – Special Jury for ''Lucky Baskhar''.<ref>{{cite news|author=Express News Service|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2016/mar/01/dulquer-salmans-charlie-bags-eight-kerala-state-film-awards-2015-898526.html|title=Dulquer Salman's Charlie Bags Eight Kerala State Film Awards 2015|work=The New Indian Express|date=1 March 2016|access-date=1 March 2016|archive-date=25 October 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025060413/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2016/mar/01/Dulquer-Salmans-Charlie-Bags-Eight-Kerala-State-Film-Awards-2015-898526.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Winners of the 68th Filmfare Awards South (Telugu) 2023 {{!}} Filmfare.com |url=https://www.filmfare.com/news/bollywood/winners-of-the-68th-filmfare-awards-south-telugu-2023_-67194.html |access-date=12 July 2024 |website=www.filmfare.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Dulquer Salmaan wins Jury Award at Telangana State Film Awards for powerful performance in Lucky Baskhar |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/south-cinema/dulquer-salmaan-wins-jury-award-telangana-state-film-awards-powerful-performance-lucky-baskhar/ |work=Bollywood Hungama |date=30 May 2025 |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == {{Commons category}} * {{IMDb name}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Navboxes|list= {{Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – Telugu}} {{Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor}} {{SIIMA Award for Best Male Débutante}} }} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Salmaan, Dulquer}} Category:1980s births Category:Living people Category:Indian male film actors Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema Category:Male actors from Kochi Category:Filmfare Awards South winners Category:Kerala Film Critics Awards winners Category:Krannert School of Management alumni Category:21st-century Indian male actors Category:South Indian International Movie Awards winners Category:Kerala State Film Award winners Category:Age controversies Category:Indian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates Category:Indian expatriates in the United States Category:IIFA Utsavam winners Category:Year of birth missing (living people)