Bollywood is rallying behind Salman Khan, despite his conviction in a case that saw him drunkenly run over five people, killing one, and then doing running away from the scene in 2002.
Speaking to tabloid! in Dubai on Wednesday, Farah Khan said she had sent him a good luck message in the morning on her Blackberry. “He replied with a smiley ... We knew it could swing any way. It was purely an accident. It wasn’t a fraud or forgery — it’s just unfortunate. Even the victims are saying it won’t help much if he goes to jail. Maybe giving them a job may help. I can’t comment on whether verdict is harsh or not... He’s my friend and I wish him good luck, I pray for him,” The Happy New Year director was in Dubai on Wednesday for a charity benefit for Rashid Paediatric Centre.
“Terrible news. Don’t know what to say except that I will stand by [Salman Khan] no matter what,” tweeted Sonakshi Sinha, who was given her break into Bollywood by Khan in ‘Dabangg’. “He’s a good man and no one can take that away from him.”
Sinha, along with actress Preity Zinta were spotted at Khan’s residence after the conviction was announced on Wednesday morning.
Actor Arjun Kapoor added: “It doesn’t matter what anyone or any court says, he doesn’t deserve this at any level. I will stand by Salman Khan no matter what.”
Jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali, the sister of one-time actor Zayed Khan, meanwhile seemed to have tweeted up a storm with her support of the Bollywood star.
“The government should be responsible for housing people. If no one was sleeping on the road in any other country Salman would not have driven over anybody. It’s like penalising a train driver because someone decided to cross the tracks and got killed in the bargain,” she said.
Her tweets generated angry responses, some calling her out for her ignorance, saying her opinion probably stemmed from her privileged upbringing. Ali’s sister Susanne was once married to Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan.
“No one should be sleeping on the road or footpath. It is dangerous to do that just like it is dangerous to cross tracks,” she added, defiantly.
Karan Johar, one of India’s most successful producers, took a more emotional tone:
“My thoughts and prayers are with Salman and his family today. I wish them strength,” he tweeted.
Veteran actor Raza Murad, speaking to media at Khan’s residence said the five-year sentence was more like “a 17-year imprisonment”.
“12 years have passed [since the incident], five are left. We are human beings and we all make mistakes. Salman has so much of goodness in him that it nullifies the bad. He is not a manifested criminal; he is a good citizen.”
Here are some more tweets:
Subhash Ghai: Salman khan and all of us have to respect court verdict but we all know that Salman is excellent as human who can’t fight with destiny.
Riteish Deshmukh: Not commenting on court’s verdict but my heart goes out to Salman Khan: large-hearted and one of the finest people I have met in this industry.
Bipasha Basu: Salman Khan is the nicest human being in this business. Wish all our prayers and love help him in this difficult time. Deeply saddened.
Mika Singh: I stand for the man who stands for everyone. Always respect you big brother. Your fans are with you.
Dia Mirza: He is the man that saved my mother’s life. That I will never forget. #SalmanKhan
Varun Dhawan: My prayers are with Salman Khan and his family who I know love this country and respect its judiciary.
Kunal Kohli: Heart broken at the verdict against Salman Khan. Prayers and strength to him and his wonderful family.
Alia Bhatt: It hurts when your own are punished, even if they are in the wrong. We love you and are standing by you.
Wajid Khan: My maa (mother) is not well and I’m sitting by her side and praying for Salman Khan and my heart is with his family #WeLoveYouSalmanKhan.
Rishi Kapoor: The Kapoors are with the Khans in their difficult time. Time is the biggest healer. God Bless!
Ayushmann Khurrana: Let the law take its course. And let his fans be his force. Let the judgment be the difference between the two. And we know who may win.
Farah Khan: In Dubai… But thoughts and prayers are still in Mumbai with Salman Khan and his family.
Shobhaa De: Now is the time to truly Be Human.
