On the day of his conviction, Salman Khan received support from across the film fraternity. His fans too lined up outside his home to stand with their hero. But one fan has some sound advice for the mega-star.
NDTV India’s Senior Executive Editor Ravish has written an open letter to ‘Salman Bhai’. The popular hindi news anchor begins his letter by recalling the first time he saw bhai on screen.
One afternoon in 1989, I stepped out in Patna after watching Maine Pyar Kiya. Aamir Khan’s film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak had released the year before. Watching that movie was an impromptu decision as well. In two years, I found two heroes - Aamir Khan and you. Your films became a part of my life. In 1991, when Saajan released, I had moved to Delhi. At that time, you appeared like a novice. You hesitated to speak, but when you were unable to talk, your body spoke with an articulate language. An intense look trumped the inability to speak and would take cinema-goers along. You looked honest, and spoke with calmness.
Ravish goes onto talk about how Salman Khan became an industry leader and Bollywood’s most bankable actor.
Gradually, I started watching your films to decipher the reasons for the 100-crore business they were doing. To match this success, everyone has started doing average films. When Aamir Khan made Ghajini to match Wanted, I couldn’t bear it. When Shah Rukh Khan made Chennai Express and Happy New Year, it seemed like everyone was trying to be “Box Office Hero Salman Khan”. By the time Dabangg hit the screens, you had become so popular that a theatre-owner said that people start enquiring about Salman Bhai’s movies weeks before their release dates. You are the No 1 hero of the front stalls. You are the hero who reaches the mind through the heart.
He goes on to tell Salman that the Court’s verdict is not about punishing the actor but maintaining law and order. The actor should view it as such. And what should be the next step for the actor? This is Ravish’s advice.
That’s why, Salman Bhai, from today onwards, count the moments that you have missed. Everyone has to count these. I know that in real life, you are a true friend and help those in need. But sometimes, a mistake renders everything else meaningless. If you want, you can prevent your good deeds from losing meaning. I am upset that my hero is going to jail. I also feel sad for the person because of whom you are going to jail. There is another way to repent. Distance yourself from those who promised to prove you innocent.
You have the option to appeal in a higher court, and you must make use of it, but do it only if you think you are innocent. Arguments in court don’t mitigate your mistake. Listen to your inner voice. If you come back with an honest heart, you’ll find me waiting for the new Salman at the ticket counter, just as I stood in queue in 1989.
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