There is a familiar and famous phrase that every person on Earth has 7 lookalikes i.e. people who almost look like you. Back in those days when there was limited access to the internet. People met each other in the close circle but didn’t have the opportunity to see new faces who were elsewhere in the world.
However, with evolving technology, we are stumbling upon new faces online these days and that’s how things have changed now. In fact, technology is one of the basic mediums to connect these days and communication is becoming very convenient.
For example- Social media. It allows us to interact with people from different fields and different part of the world. The best part is we become friends easily with new people. Now, thanks to the power of social media, we have already found many dopplegangers of celebrities.
Salman Khan’s full name is Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan. The macho man and Prem of Bollywood has a massive fan-following in India. The Indian film actor, producer, occasional singer and television personality has found his doppelganger in a small-time actor and stuntman.
In a movie career spanning over three decades, Salman Khan has received numerous awards including two National Film Awards as a film producer, and two Filmfare Awards for acting.
Here’s another doppelganger:-
Najeem Khan remembers the first time his friends and relatives called him ‘Salman Khan’ owing to his resemblance to Salman Khan.
“We were standing in a market when suddenly one of my friends said that I looked just like Salman Khan. That day when I got back home, I looked myself in the mirror for hours. I was just 7 years old then,” said Najeem, who is Afghan-born, Pakistan-bred refugee.
“Bollywood movies were very popular in Pakistan and they still are,” he said. “I have loved Bollywood since my childhood. In fact, when I was a child, I would dance and imitate Indian film actors. The growing comparison with Salman Khan further acted as a catalyst.”
“My face resembled to that of Salman Khan but not my body. So I started working on my physique and also learned acting and modelling,” said the budding actor, who by 2012 had started getting modelling assignments and advertisement contracts. By this time he was even enjoying the nickname Salman Khan, and had started hogging some limelight.
“I look so much like Salman Khan, then I started walking and talking like him,” he told UNHCR in an interview.
In refugee events which were organized by UNHCR’s partners, Najeem stunned everyone with his body and quirky dance moves.
“I’m really grateful to UNHCR and its implementing partner BOSCO for its support and encouragement to showcase my talent at the refugee events which helped me to gain confidence and build a fan base.”
“When I saw a post seeking actors on a social networking website, I went for an audition and soon I was in the cast. In November last year, I started shooting the movie in New Delhi.”
It was indeed a dream come true moment for Najeem when he met Salman Khan on the set of the movie. Salman Khan hugged him.
“It was such an emotional moment for me. I can’t even describe it in words. He has been my hero since childhood and there I was standing in front of him and then he hugged me,” said Najeem.
“He congratulated me, told me to work harder and even offered me some helpful tips on body-building.”