On December 27, 2024, Bollywood's "Bhai" Salman Khan celebrates his 59th birthday, marking over three decades of his impactful career in the Indian film industry. Known for his blockbuster hits and strong fan following, Khan has often found himself at the centre of controversies throughout his career. Whether it's his off-screen behavior, legal battles, or public statements, the actor has faced criticism and media attention for various reasons. On his special day, let's take a look at some of the key controversies that have marked Salman Khan's career.
Salman Khan was arrested for hunting blackbucks, an endangered species, during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain in Rajasthan.?
The incident led to the actor being charged under the Wildlife Protection Act. Despite multiple court proceedings and appeals, Khan was convicted in 2018 and sentenced to five years in prison. However, later that year, he was granted bail.
As of October 2024, Salman Khan's blackbuck poaching case is still pending in the Rajasthan High Court.?
The incident also led to tensions with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his gang, who consider blackbucks sacred. Bishnoi vowed to seek revenge on the actor after his conviction.
Date of incident: September 28, 2002
Salman Khan was involved in a hit-and-run accident in which one person died, and several others were injured when his car ran over them while they were sleeping on the sidewalk.?
Khan was initially convicted in 2015 for culpable homicide and received five years in prison but later received a verdict of acquittal from the Bombay High Court in 2016.?
However, the case continues to be a source of controversy, with critics questioning the justice system and Khan's role in the accident.
Date of Incident: February 2013
In an interview?to Pakistani channel?Express TV,?Salman Khan sparked outrage when he made comments about the 2008 Mumbai attacks, suggesting that the terror attack's impact was exaggerated: "Too much hype has been created around the 26/11 attacks because elite people were targetted. Attacks have happened in trains and small towns too, but no one talked about it so much. Everybody knows that the Pakistani government was not behind it and it was a terrorist attack. Our security had failed."
Salman Khan's comments were met with widespread criticism.?
Later, during an interview with an Indian TV channel, he clarified, saying: "The interview has been twisted. I saw it myself, the way it is coming across on TV, it is sounding insensitive. I was just saying life is equal for both rich and poor, some attacks get more media coverage and some don't. Why is that? Every human life is important."
Date of incident: July 2016
During the promotional event of his film Sultan, Salman Khan made a controversial remark, comparing his rigorous training for the movie to that of a "raped woman": "When I used to walk out of that ring, it used to be actually like a raped woman walking out."
The comment was widely condemned for being insensitive and inappropriate. Khan faced backlash from various women's rights groups and public figures, who demanded an apology.?
Khan later expressed regret and clarified that he did not intend to hurt anyone's feelings.
Date of incident: 2002-2005
Salman Khan's tumultuous relationship with actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was the subject of media frenzy for years.?
The couple broke up in 2002, but Khan's behaviour during and after their relationship raised several eyebrows.?
While Khan has always denied any ill-treatment, reports of Khan's possessiveness, temper, and alleged harassment of Rai during their relationship continued to fuel rumours.?
Date of incident: 2019
Khan's charitable foundation, Being Human, has faced allegations of financial irregularities and mismanagement.?
In 2019, a report questioned the transparency in how the charity's funds were utilised, despite its public image as a nonprofit that supports underprivileged children.?
Critics argued that the brand's profits were being used for commercial purposes rather than charitable causes. Salman Khan, however, continued to promote the foundation, maintaining that all donations went to the right causes.
While some issues have been resolved in his favour, many have damaged Salman Khan's public image. Despite this, he remains one of India's most popular and influential actors.?
As he celebrates his 59th birthday, his legacy continues to inspire both admiration and criticism, solidifying his status as a polarising figure in the entertainment industry.
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