Ball in their court
“There are two ways of looking at it. We, in the film industry, are worried about what it will cost us, how many families will suffer if the industry comes to a standstill. But, if someone breaks a law, he has to pay the price. Salman is like a family member whom we would love to hold close but have to surrender to the law if he is found guilty.”
—Ananth Mahadevan, actor
“ I believe he's been victimised. It's an injustice. People kill humans and get away and Salman Khan has been given a five-year jail sentence.”
—Vikas Kalantri, actor
“Of course, he's been victimised. He's in my profession and for me going against him is like going against my profession. It's my duty to be with Salman Khan. But I would like to point out that there have been worse cases but nothing has been done. I agree that he has made a mistake and it took five years for the law to decide. I want to know what's happening to those who were involved in other scam or riots including in Gujarat.”
—Viveck Vaswani, actor
“I'm sure the judiciary has provisions for Salman to appeal to a higher court and to get bail. The judiciary will do what it has to do. I am not saying that the laws should change just because the person involved is a man in whom the industry has a huge stake but it is unfair to Salman. Now it is upto the industry to decide what to do.”
—Manmohan Shetty, producer
“I don't want to talk about the episode because the actor concerned is from mainstream cinema and the film industry doesn't accept me in the mainstream. I don't know Salman Khan and this issue doesn't affect or concern me at all. I think the big daddies of the industry would be more competent to comment as they live off Salman Khan.”
—Sudhir Mishra, filmmaker
“There is a lesson in this for all of us. We in public life have to be more responsible and more aware of the consequences of our actions on us and on others.”
—Prakash Jha, filmmaker
‘This is a good decision’
This is a good decision as it will serve as a deterrent to others who intend to harm endangered wildlife. It is about time the authorities made wildlife laws more stringent in India.
—Nilesh Bhanage, General Secretary, PAWS
Wildlife offences happen to be the second largest offences committed in the country after narcotics and drugs. Illegal wildlife poaching is a huge industry in India. Blatant offences are committed every day and we need fast track courts to be set up in every district to deal with them on a day-to-day basis. Unlike crimes like murder or rape, evidence in wildlife offences vanishes easily.
—Jayasimha NG, Co-ordinator, Campaign and Legal Affairs, PETA
The conviction is a good sign. It shows that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law. Money can’t bail you out even if you are a celebrity. Now, small-time dealers, poachers and people who indulge in illegal wildlife trade will think twice about committing such crimes.
—Dharmesh Solanki, Managing Trustee, People for Animals
Mom faints on hearing verdict
Indu Mirani
Salman Khan’s mother, Salma, vomited, and then fainted, on hearing the verdict against her son on Monday. She was admitted to Lilavati Hospital in Bandra.
“She is a nervous sort, she just couldn’t take the news,” said a distraught Salim Khan from the hospital. “But doctors are confident that after some tests tomorrow, she would be allowed to go home. I get a feeling they deliberately stretched the proceedings at the court so that Salman wouldn’t be able to file an appeal today.”
“I was expecting a strict sentence, but I never thought it would be this harsh. Jail is a lonely place,” added the famed scriptwriter.
Film industry sources said Rs275 crore have been invested in Salman films in the make. He was scheduled to leave in 10 days for the Rockstar concerts in Dubai, the UK and the US.
Endangered shoots
- Babul (Rs25 cr): Shooting in progress
- Jaanemaan (Rs25 cr): Shooting in progress
- God Tussi Great Ho (Rs20 cr): Shooting in progress
- Partner (Rs20 cr): Shooting in progress
- Vivaah (Rs12 cr): Shooting in progress (actor to make a special appearance)
- Saavariya (Rs35 cr): Shooting to start (actor to make a special appearance)
- Sohail Khan’s next film, also featuring Katrina Kaif (Rs20 cr): Shooting to start
- My Love Story (Rs20 cr): Shooting to start
- Salaam-E-Ishq (Rs25 cr): Shooting in progress
- Marigold (Rs25 cr): Complete
- London Dreams (Rs25 cr): Shooting in progress
- Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar (Rs15 cr): Complete
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