Bollywood actor Salman Khan’s friends and business associates in the UAE expressed their anguish at the hit-and-run court verdict on Wednesday. A sessions court in Mumbai convicted the actor of all charges, including culpable homicide in the 2002 hit-and-run accident in Bandra. He is awaiting sentencing and faces up to ten years in jail.
“It’s an emotionally sad day for us. We are all following his case closely and if anything sad happens to him then it means something sad is happening to us. I know his family,” said Parvez Khan, chairman of real-estate company Pacific Ventures.
Parvez had organised the world premiere of Salman Khan’s Jai Ho in January 2014 and describes the actor as a “wonderful human being”.
“I know Salman very well and I can confidently say that he is the best person I have ever met. He has done such great charitable work and it pains us to see him sad,” said Parvez.
Raza Beig, CEO of high street brands Splash and Iconic, echoed Parvez’s sentiments.
“It’s very sad. He’s an extraordinary person and I am not here to judge his actions. Right now, that’s the only emotion I feel and we are proud of him for all the charity work he does through Being Human. He has gone out of his way to be help the underprivileged children ... We are so proud of him,” said Beig. Khan, 49, is the face of his brand Splash and has visited Dubai several times to promote it. Beig, who is currently on a detox and wasn’t allowed to speak at length, later in an SMS said:
“My heart breaks to find out Salman’s verdict. They say, all great men in history have gone through struggle to achieve new heights in life. Probably this is his calling, not sure if he deserves it. But noone can go against Allah’s will and probably that’s [Allah’s] will,” said Beig.
Dubai-based socialite Rekha Tourani, who has known the Khan family for over a decade and attended Salman Khan’s private painting auction in Dubai, feels the actor’s good karma (deeds) will help him through his tough times.
“Salman and his entire family are good-hearted. His heart is pure and child-like. Through his charity Being Human, he has rescued the underprivileged and given them a new lease of life. If there’s a thing called good karma, then only good should happen to him,” said Tourani.
Bollywood actress Bhoomika Chawla, who made her Hindi acting debut with Khan in the 2003 blockbuster Tere Naam, expressed her shock at the verdict. She shuttles between Dubai and Mumbai.
“He was the most supportive co-star that I knew. He realised that it was my first film and often asked the director not to rush me into saying lines since I was new to the craft. He’s a wonderful human being and I remember there was a time when my mother was very ill during Tere Naam shooting in Manali and he personally came to her room and chatted to the doctor. Not many stars do that,” said Chawla, who is now married to yoga guru Bharat Takur. She also acted with Khan in the romance Dil Ne Jisse Apna Kaha.
“He has a heart of gold. He would help strangers who sought his help and his loved ones. I remember, while on the sets — if anybody asked for his support, he would willingly do his best to help them out,” said Chawla.
