Bollywood fraternity in 'shock' over Salman Khan's conviction in blackbuck poaching case

Salman Khan's friends and colleagues reacted with shock over the jail term for the superstar invoking his 'humane' side.

Salman Khan's friends and colleagues reacted with shock over the jail term for the superstar invoking his 'humane' side. Photo: PTI

NEW DELHI: The Bollywood fraternity erupted with outrage and concern as Salman Khan was on Thursday sentenced to five years in jail in the 1998 blackbuck poaching case. The 52-year-old actor's friends and colleagues reacted with shock over the jail term for the superstar invoking his 'humane' side. "I am extremely shocked," director Subhash Ghai, who has worked with Khan in several films, tweeted. Ghai said he had "full trust in the Indian judiciary which has many other doors" for an "appeal for final justice".

I am extremely shocked to hear @BeingSalmanKhan being convicted by session court but also having full trust in indian judiciary which has many other doors to appeal for final justice whatsoever. Since He is most loved person by industry N people for his human reasons too.

— Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) April 5, 2018

Many sought to stress that Khan was a "nice" man. Actor-Parliamentarian Jaya Bachchan said the punishment was harsh, and added that Khan had done "a lot of humanitarian work". "I feel bad. He should be given relief. He has done a lot of humanitarian work," she said.

I feel bad. He should be given relief. He has done a lot of humanitarian work: Jaya Bachchan, Rajya Sabha MP on #SalmanKhan #BlackBuckPoachingCase pic.twitter.com/VUEM0RIweE

— ANI (@ANI) April 5, 2018

Actor Himani Shivpuri, who played Khan's aunt in the film, said he was a "nice individual" who was "near and dear" to her. "...I feel if you are killing or shooting an innocent animal (and) it is against the law, then the law has every right to pass a judgement. I am saddened as Salman is a nice individual but if a nice individual commits a mistake then he should be able to bear the consequences," Shivpuri told PTI. Actor Arjun Rampal tweeted to say the decision seemed a bit "too harsh". "The law takes its course. Can't argue (with) it. But at this point in time I just feel helpless and my heart goes out to @BeingSalmanKhan and his family. Reason, cause the last thing @BeingSalmanKhan is, is a criminal.I feel this is too harsh. I do hope he gets the relief he deserves," the actor said.

The law takes its course. Can’t argue it. But at this point in time I just feel helpless and my heart goes out to @BeingSalmanKhan and his family. Reason, cause the last thing @BeingSalmanKhan is, is a criminal.I feel this is too harsh. I do hope he gets the relief he deserves.

— arjun rampal (@rampalarjun) April 5, 2018

Filmmaker Anil Sharma, who directed Khan in "Veer", said he hoped the actor would soon get bail. "It's very disturbing. Salman is my colleague, we have worked together. When something like this happens with your colleague you are bound to feel sad. We were hopeful he won't be sentenced but now we hope he gets bail soon," he told PTI. Actor and host Simi Garewal said she is "dead sure" Salman would "never ever" harm any animal.

Of one thing I am dead sure..@BeingSalmanKhan would NEVER EVER harm any animal. He loves them too much. The real culprit should be exposed. 20 years is too long to bear someone else's cross..

— Simi Garewal (@Simi_Garewal) April 5, 2018

Popular television actress Shilpa Shinde, winner of "Bigg Boss Season 11", also came out in support of Salman Khan saying "punishing a good human being is not acceptable".

Punishing a good human being is not acceptable. Animal poaching is ever increasing, jungles are cut in the name of urban development, isn't it leading to wildlife killing, who will be punished for that?#SalmanKhan@BeingSalmanKhan#BlackBuckPoachingCase

— Shilpa Shinde (@ShindeShilpaS) April 5, 2018

Who are you to punish @BeingSalmanKhan . The life he has right now,more than himself he is living for others for all the needy people spreading so much of LOVE. Wo zindagi unhe KHUDA ne bakshi hai,unhe KHUDA ne maaf kiya hai. Do hell with such laws and such system ????????

— Suyyash Rai (@suyyashrai) April 5, 2018

Get all your laws and systems together and try ur bestttt mind you YOUR BEST n lets see what you can do. Do you guys have any idea ? How many duas are with him that too of all the kids,those kids who all are living and breathing coz of @BeingSalmanKhan ❤️#WeSupportSalmankhan

— Suyyash Rai (@suyyashrai) April 5, 2018