Bollywood sympathises with Salman post court’s verdict

Bollywood celebrities like Hema Malini, Subhash Ghai, Anil Sharma, Riteish Deshmukh have come out in support of superstar Salman Khan, after he was pronounced guilty in the 2002 hit-and-run case.

The 49-year-old star has been convicted of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the over 12-year-old case.

After the much-awaited trial, he is to face five years of jail term.

Hema Malini, actor and BJP MP, said that she was praying for the actor  to get a lesser sentence.

“Feeling very sad. Will pray for lesser imprisonment for Salman. My sympathy with Salman and his family,” she said.

Calling Salman an “excellent” human being, filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who worked with the actor in Yuvvraaj, tweeted: “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.” 

Salman’s Veer director Anil Sharma said: “My prayers are for Salman Khan. Praying for the kind hearted, wonderful person. God bless.” Anil has also directed films like  Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Apne.

Actor and friend Riteish Deshmukh tweeted his support, saying: “Not commenting on courts verdict- but my heart goes out to @BeingSalmanKhan: large hearted & 1 of d finest people I have met in this industry.” 

Music composer Wajid Ali, a close friend of Salman, said: “This is a very sad moment. I am shocked at the verdict.

Salman bhai is a simple and real man. I hope he will take it in the right spirit.

“It was an accident which can happen with anyone on an unfortunate day. Salman’s name has made this case popular. He paid the price of being a celebrity,” said Ali, who had composed music for some of Salman’s films like Wanted and Dabangg.

Actor Shakti Kapoor said: “However, a law is a law. This is unfortunate. Salman’s family are law-abiding citizens and they have already undergone 13 years of mental torture. His philanthropic work is well known and he is known to help the needy people.” 

Meanwhile, Salman has been granted two days of interim bail by Bombay High Court.