Sultan Turns 10: Salman Khan’s Blockbuster Sports Drama Continues to Inspire Fans

A decade after its release, the acclaimed sports drama Sultan remains one of the most celebrated films in Salman Khan 's career. Marking the film’s 10th anniversary, Yash Raj Films revisited the journey of the 2016 Eid blockbuster, which combined wrestling action, emotional storytelling and a powerful message of perseverance.

Directed by Ali Abbas Zafar , the film follows the story of Sultan Ali Khan, a wrestler from Haryana whose rise to national fame is followed by personal setbacks and emotional turmoil. Sultan’s relationship with fellow wrestler Anushka Sharma 's character Aarfa forms the heart of the narrative, while his eventual redemption and comeback resonate strongly with audiences.

One of the most talked-about aspects of the film was Salman Khan’s remarkable physical transformation. To portray the wrestler convincingly, the actor reportedly gained weight to nearly 130 kg and later shed around 25 kg for different phases of the character’s journey. His dedication to the role earned widespread appreciation and added authenticity to the sports drama.

The film also featured a memorable supporting performance from Randeep Hooda , who played Sultan’s trainer Fateh Singh. The mentor-student relationship became a key element in the protagonist’s emotional and professional resurgence.

Beyond its critical acclaim, Sultan was a massive commercial success. Produced on an estimated budget of ₹145 crore, the film collected approximately ₹300.67 crore nett in India and around ₹577 crore worldwide , making it one of the highest-grossing Indian films of its time.

Even 10 years later, fans continue to celebrate the film for its emotional depth, memorable dialogues and themes of resilience. Scenes such as Sultan’s introspective mirror moment and the film’s motivational messages about self-belief remain widely discussed on social media, cementing its status as a modern Bollywood classic.