Salman’s a 4am friend

Anita Aikara, Neeta Kolhatkar and agencies

Producer Boney Kapoor, now making a film with Salman Khan in the lead, is shocked over the prospect of the actor serving five years in jail for hunting a chinkara deer. But he says he will not replace Salman.

Kapoor is producing Wanted Dead & Alive, a remake of Telugu blockbuster Pokhiri. Salman has been shooting for it for a month.

“The sentence isn’t a bolt from the blue,” says Boney. “We went into it with our eyes open. I wanted only Salman for this role, and given a chance I’d still not change my decision to have him. He’s my 4 a.m. friend. I remember how he stood by me when I was financially challenged during No Entry.”

Salman has been convicted of poaching a chinkara deer at Ghoda farm near Jodhpur on the night of Sep 28, 1998 while filming for Sooraj Barjatya’s blockbuster Hum Saath Saath Hain.

“We’ve been shooting since July 23. In all we’ve completed 25 per cent of the film. We shot two songs in Thailand. In Hyderabad we’ve completed a large number of key scenes including the film’s biggest action sequence. The next schedule is in October,” Kapoor said.

And Kapoor, like all of Salman’s well-wishers, has his fingers crossed. “My director Prabhu Deva, Salman and I have had lots of fun shooting this film. Actually Prabhu and Salman go back a long way. Prabhu has choreographed many of his songs, and he has also choreographed some of my best numbers,” the producer said. “He and Salman got along like a house on fire. Shooting with Salman is always exciting. There’s never a dull moment.”

Raining trouble in Bollywood

It is raining trouble with Sanjay Dutt sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment and now Salman Khan being sentenced to five years imprisonment for poaching endangered wild animals by the  Jodhpur Court.

Industry sources told DNA that between them the actors have projects worth over Rs450 crores in the pipeline. Salman is currently facing trial in three different cases of killing black bucks and chinkaras. The other actors who are involved in the same case are co-stars from the film — Sonali Bendre, Saif Ali Khan, Tabu and Neelam.

The producers in Bollywood are on tenterhooks as over Rs200 crores are riding on Salman Khan. A Bollywood producer said, “These are mixed times for us, foreign film makers like Sony are coming to us and our big heroes are getting imprisoned.”  Incidentally, one of the biggest hits of the year is the Salman Khan-Govinda starrer Partner which has raked in Rs 80crores. Salman’s personal life has life has also been filled with controversies. He has had well publicised affairs with Sangita Bijlani, Somy Ali, Aishwarya Rai and now Katrina Kaif.

While Bijlani and Ali both came out and spoke to the media alleging abuse against Salman, Rai categorically stated that she will never work with him due to personal reasons. Salman was also accused by Vivek Oberoi in 2003 for calling up the latter 41 times during one night and threatening him with death as well.

Some of his forthcoming films are God Tusi Great Ho with Amitabh Bachchan and remake of the Tamil hit Pokhri. Films yet to start are Tom and Jerry and Mr and Mrs Khanna.

A true blue Bandra boy

Remember Salman as the true Bandra boy, Baba Siddiqui, MLA and childhood friend of Salman Khan says, “Salman’s bindaas nature was something that one would rarely find in actor. He was a true Bandra boy. I just hope that god gives him the strength at this crisis situation. All I can say that god be with him. I have known him as a child since 1980 that is nearly twenty seven years ago.”

Govinda’s secretary told DNA: “Govindaji is very upset about the incident. He has known Salman better, especially after working with him in Partner. He was very hurt when he got to know of the arrest.”

Remembering Salman’s generous nature, childhood friend Nadeem says:“I wish god gives Sallu the strength to fight this crisis. Every time Salman used to get something he always thought of donating it. Once in Dubai he got some money, which he donated it to the old age home at Bandra.”

Salim Khan, father of Salman did seem close to tears to see son surrender himself before the court. It was Salman who was seen to give confidence to his family. “Salman has been brave and relaxed.His mother has not been keeping well and worried for him,” Salim Khan told DNA.