On a day when thousands of people poured in their support for Salman Khan following the actor’s conviction, many Bollywood personalities expressed their solidarity with the actor on the social media. However, singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya struck the wrong note by coming out with insensitive comments that seemed to suggest that footpaths were not meant for sleeping and in case of accidents drivers could not be blamed.
In a comment that earned him all-round criticism in the social media, singer Abhijeet tweeted: “Kutta rd pe soyega kutte ki maut marega, roads garib ke baap ki nahi hai. I ws homles an year nvr slept on rd.” (If a dog sleeps on the road, it will die a dog’s death. The poor and homeless must not sleep on roads... I too was homeless once, but never slept on road” (sic)
“Come out fraternity, support @BeingSalmanKhan boldly not hypocritically roads footpath r not meant 4 sleeping, not driver’s or alcohol’s fault,” he tweeted. In another comment, he wrote: “Roads are meant for cars and dogs not for people sleeping on them... @BeingSalmanKhan is not at fault at all...”
“Suicide is crime, so is sleeping on footpath... 80% homeles film ppl achievd stardom but never slept on footpath... Suicide is crime so is sleeping on footpath,” Abhijeet tweeted. However, late on Wednesday the singer profusely apologised for it. In his latest tweet, he said, “I am sorry for the words I used.”
Meanwhile, reacting to this series of tweets Hollywood actor Bradley Cooper, @iBradlycooper, tweeted “Slept on the footpath, hence got run over,” is the new “didn’t dress properly, hence got raped”. #SalmanVerdict.
Bollywood personalities, including veteran actress Hema Malini, Rishi Kapoor, filmmaker Subhash Ghai and actress Sushmita Sen also came out in support of the actor. Hema Malini said her sympathises were always with Salman Khan but added the judgement from the court had to be respected.
In her remarks made prior to the act being sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, the veteran actress said: “Feeling very sad. Will pray for lesser imprisonment for Salman. My sympathy with Salman and his family.... The judgement from the court has to be respected”.
“The Kapoors are with the Khans in their difficult time. Time is the biggest healer. God Bless!,” veteran actor Rishi Kapoor tweeted. Describing Salman as 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.”
“There is an enormous difference between being a criminal and being human. True justice is then served. Keep d faith @BeingSalmanKhan,” actress Sushmita Sen tweeted. “I can only respond emotionally just now...my thoughts and prayers are with Salman and his family today....I wish them strength....” Karan Johar tweeted.
“Terrible news. Dnt knw wht to say except tht will stand by @BeingSalmanKhan no matter what. Hes a good man and no 1 can tk tht away frm him,” actress Sonakshi Sinha tweeted. “My payers are for Salman Khan. Praying for the kind hearted, wonderful person. God bless,” director Anil Sharma said.
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.”
Actress Bipasha Basu tweeted: “@BeingSalmanKhan is a man who has always helped d underprivileged!A man who has done so much humanitarian work.Prayers for a fair judgement. “Cant wrap my head around what’s happening,scary how fickle life is,hope n pray he emerges stronger like he has in the past@BeingSalmanKhan,” actor Arjun Kapoor stated.