All doubts about his popularity were put to rest with his latest release opening to 100 percent collections and packed advance booking.

Indeed, the actor, who is often in the news more for his run-ins with the law, girlfriends and the media, has emerged as an idol for youngsters who view him as a rebellious icon.

For those who held that the success of Salman's previous hit -- "Tere Naam" -- was a result of the film's similarity with his real life rocky affair with Aishwarya Rai and not due to resurgence in the actor's popularity have been silenced.

Many doubted whether the audience would accept an actor who has been charged in a hit-and-run case and of hunting endangered animals as a righteous cop.

The film, which marks the directorial debut of character actor Punit Isaar, might be cliché ridden as they come but is likely to do well riding on the actor's popularity.

"Tere Naam", which comes after "Khakee", "Ab Tak Chhappan", "Police Force" and "Aan: Men At Work," stands out only because this is the first time Salman has played a cop.

Salman is on the roll as far as his career is concerned. After "Garv", he has a series of big releases back to back. "Mujhse Shaadi Karoge" and "Phir Milenge" will be next. All the three films capture different shades of the actor.

After he finishes shooting for his brother Sohail Khan's under production film, Salman will start work on a Hollywood production - "Marigold." The film is a musical romantic comedy written and directed by US filmmaker Willard Carroll.

The picture, budgeted at under $10 million, has been dubbed a Bollywood-Hollywood collaboration. To be shot in both English and Hindi, it will be filmed in Mumbai, Goa and Rajasthan.

Marigold, being touted as the first Hindi film to be made by a US director, is the story of a demanding B-movie actress stranded in India when her fly-by-night film is suddenly cancelled.