The sentence came as a shock to Salman Khan fan and lookalike Shan Ghosh, aka Junior Salman. “ Aaj phir insaniyat mar gayi (Humanity has again died today). What good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow. God is nowhere,” he said.
On the other hand, Ram Niwas Budhnagar, working committee member of Akhil Bharatiya Bishnoi Mahasabha confessed to being “ santusht ” (satisfied) with justice delivered in a case the community had been pursuing for two decades.
Extreme reactions
Mr. Ghosh and Mr. Budhnagar represent two extremes of reactions that Khan evokes — of fanatical, unquestioning fandom and unforgiving, albeit right-minded, hostility. The enigma of the star lies somewhere between these polarities, between blinding fame and the depths of notoriety.
The eldest son of screenwriter Salim Khan, Salman started off his career 30 years ago with Biwi Ho To Aisi and followed it up with successful romances ( Maine Pyaar Kiya , Saajan , Hum Aapke Hain Koun ), comedies ( Andaz Apna Apna, Judwa, Partner ) and action movies ( Wanted, Ek Tha Tiger ). But it is in the last eight years since Dabangg in 2010 that he has had an unbeatable run at the box office, his appeal cutting across class, age and gender divides.
But there have been controversies and legal troubles aplenty. Like his tumultuous relationship with Aishwarya Rai. The actor claimed that he was harassing her after their breakup in 2002, and a complaint was lodged against him.
Four cases
There have been four cases against him related to blackbuck/chinkara poaching in 1998 during the shoot of Hum Saath Saath Hain in Jodhpur. He was also accused of using firearms with alleged expired licences.
Anxious moments: Fans wait outside Salman Khan’s house at Bandra on Thursday, and, right, his sisters Alwira Khan and Arpita Khan arrive at the court in Jodhpur.
In 2002, there was a negligent driving case, in which he allegedly ran over five people on the pavement in Bandra, killing one.
However, rather than cast a shadow over his successes, these incidents have only added to his allure, making him much more appealing and human to his fans.
There have also been numerous reports of his humanitarianism and philanthropy. There is Khan’s Being Human Foundation, a registered, charitable trust for education and healthcare of the underprivileged.
The responses to the sentence have been just as contradictory as the star’s persona and life. Is five years too high a punishment for someone who is not a professional wildlife criminal? Or is too little considering what he did was premeditated, and that he has been a repeat offender? Regardless of where this case heads, Khan’s stardom is here to stay.
