Salman Khan has for over three decades been among Bollywood’s most dominant figures. The actor has managed to amass a career that is difficult to compare with, and he is known for his ability to make blockbuster films as well as having an immense following. Despite his career success, there is no denying that there have been times when Salman was in controversy and legal tussles.
This includes his personal relationships, comments that have been made in interviews, among others.
The Blackbuck Poaching Case: A Legal Battle Spanning Decades
One of the most prominent issues with regard to Salman Khan is his involvement in a controversy that occurred in 1998 while he was filming the movie Hum Saath-Saath Hain in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. He is alleged to have poached three Chinkaras and an endangered Blackbuck, which is considered a protected animal in India.
This issue instantly turned into one of the most watched trials of the famous Bollywood celebrity. Apart from the charge of poaching, Salman is also charged with the crime of firing illegally. The controversy managed to keep Salman on the spotlight through various legal procedures over the decades.
Aishwarya Rai, Vivek Oberoi, and a Public Fallout
Khan’s personal life became a topic of much discussion in the media during the early part of the millennium, specifically about his affair with the actress Aishwarya Rai. This was because after their infamous split up in 2002, there were claims against Salman regarding harassment among other things.
However, what really took things to the next level was the occurrence of something very unusual in 2003. It was a press conference called by actor Vivek Oberoi, who reportedly was dating Rai at the time. He publicly accused Salman of constantly making threats to him over the phone.
The 2002 Hit-and-Run Case
In September 2002, Salman Khan was involved in yet another scandal when he drove his Toyota Land Cruiser into an American Laundry Express bakery in Mumbai. According to reports, the car killed one person and injured four others by running over them while they slept on the street.
The incident received wide media coverage, with claims that Khan was driving under the influence being made for years to come. As recently as 2015, the trial court in Mumbai found Khan guilty and sentenced him to five years in prison. Soon after, however, the High Court of Bombay overturned the verdict and declared Khan not guilty of all charges.
Religious and Political Controversies
The 2008 Fatwa Controversy
During the year 2008, there was some backlash from a few religious organizations when Salman Khan’s family indulged in celebrating Ganeshotsav. It is said that an imam from Mumbai issued a fatwa against Salman Khan on account of his family celebrating Ganeshotsav.
The 2014 Narendra Modi Appearance
Before the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Salman made his presence felt alongside Narendra Modi, who was contesting as prime ministerial candidate at the time, at a kite flying ceremony in Gujarat. This created huge controversy, as many were wondering whether the kite flying ceremony was staged to sway public opinion.
Statements That Triggered Public Backlash
Throughout his career, Salman Khan has occasionally drawn criticism for comments that many considered insensitive or controversial.
Comments on the 26/11 Mumbai Attacks
Commenting on the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai, in 2010, Salman had said that the incident got much coverage as the affected people belonged to elite society. The comments generated an uproar around the nation, which compelled the actor to offer an apology.
Bigg Boss Favoritism Allegations
As the longtime host of the popular TV show “Bigg Boss,” Salman Khan has on several occasions faced accusations of being biased in favor of particular participants. One of the instances was during the Bigg Boss season of 2013 where many of the viewers accused him of backing Tanisha Mukherji.
The Yakub Memon Tweet Controversy
Salman made some controversial remarks via his tweets in the year 2015 about Yakub Memon, who was convicted for the 1993 Mumbai Serial Bomb Blasts. He said the police should pay more attention to Tiger Memon, Yakub Memon’s brother. This resulted in mass criticism against him and also provoked protests. He deleted those tweets under pressure from his father Salim Khan.
The ‘Raped Woman’ Remark
Maybe the most controversial statement ever made by him was when he promoted his movie “Sultan” in the year 2016. He used the phrase “feeling like a raped woman” after describing the fatigue that he had gone through due to rigorous training during the filming of the movie.
The statement sparked a great controversy among feminists and celebrities and has remained one of his most controversial statements till date.
Stardom Amid Controversy
Although Salman Khan has had many controversies, legal hassles, and controversies surrounding him during his entire acting career, he still has one of the most devoted fandoms in Bollywood. His movies always have large crowds, and he has some of the strongest star value in Bollywood cinema.
While Salman’s supporters consider him an over-the-top entertainment actor who more than makes up for his troubles by means of his generosity and performances, his critics cannot separate his work from the controversies that have always dogged his path. Whatever one might think, there is very few people in Bollywood who have had a career like Salman’s.
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