The biggest and most followed case in India over the past two weeks has inarguably been the 2002 Salman Khan hit-and-run case. Considering the impact the actor has over the masses through his blockbuster movies, and his connections with leading politicians and super ‘stars’, it is an undeniable fact that the range of support in favour of Khan was significantly large.
However, as the case progessed during the past week, it was no longer just about him and the victim and his family. The case included various aspects that wound around like a ball of wool.
The most important take away point from the incident was the reaction from Bollywood.
Immense support came pouring in for Salman Khan from the entire industry. Not a person seemed to mourn or sympathise with the victims. Does this mean that everyone in the industry stands up for one another irrespective of what he’s done? Recently, Shweta Basu Prasad, a Bollywood actress, was arrested for dealing in the flesh trade. Nobody seemed to care then for her. What happened to the so called ‘Family of Bollywood’ then?
India proudly has the largest entertainment industry in the world — Bollywood. But the question is: how proud are we of it? Is it a matter of pride to know that even the country’s leaders can be influenced by Bollywood? Is it a matter of justice if the law of this land can be outrightly denied by just an entertainment industry? Are the people of India so blind to the growing power of Bollywood and its influence over the masses?
It is only a matter of time before people will start to open their eyes to the truth. As it is known, truth always triumphs!
— The reader is an Indian student living in Dubai.
