Mumbai: The ‘Being Human’ star is just ‘being worried’ now.Why? Because on Wednesday, the verdict in the Salman Khan’s hit-and-run case will be announced and everyone including his family, fans and entire film fraternity are keeping their fingers crossed.
Finally, after so much dilly dallying, Salman’s fate will be decided, after the judge pronounces the final verdict in the infamous case.
The actor is charged with culpable homicide for killing one person and injuring four others by ramming his car into American Express Bakery on Hill Road, Bandra, in the wee hours of September 28, 2002. The 13 year-old case has been through a series of twists and turns.
“The film industry is hoping that nothing terrible happens. Either he is pronounced innocent or the least punishment is given,” said trade analyst Komal Nahata.
His two upcoming flicks, ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ which stars Kareena Kapoor and ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo’ opposite Sonam Kapoor, are currently in the last schedule of shooting.
The 49-year-old actor recently shot for ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’ in Kashmir.
Amod Mehra, another trade analyst, said Salman had committed to do four others films, including ‘Dabang 3’ and ‘Entry Mein No Entry’, but these were only at the stage of announcement.
In all, an investment of Rs 200 crore is riding on Salman, who has delivered a string of box office successes in the last few years, according to Nahata.
The actor is accused of ramming his car, while drunk, into a roadside bakery in suburban Bandra in the early hours of September 28, 2002, killing one person and injuring four others.
The maximum sentence he can get is a ten years’ jail term, on the charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
After Sanjay Dutt, Salman is the second big star from Mumbai film industry to get embroiled in a high-profile criminal case in recent years. He is also facing trial in a Rajasthan court for hunting a black buck during the shooting of ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’.
Meanwhile, actor Jacky Bhagnani said, “I am personally very very close to Salman Khan… But it’s a court decision… I can’t talk about it too much… I hope justice prevails.”
Veteran actor Anupam Kher said, “Salman is a wonderful person… I pray to the god he is happy after the verdict… He is a very good human being… I hope everything is sorted out.”
Actress Soha Ali Khan said she was praying that God give Salman and his family strength. He is very close to my family…and has always been very helpful,” she said.
Sallu, known for his off-camera bad temper, can face upto 10 years of jail if convicted of drunkenly driving over sleeping homeless men 13 years ago.
(With inputs from PTI)
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