Ever since the controversy over Khan’s remark erupted on Monday, Bollywood has been largely quiet or played it safe. Salman Khan has often made statements which has landed him in a soup. His ‘raped woman’ remark during a press interaction has stirred up such a controversy. Many called him callous and a disgrace for his insensitive remark.
Kangana Ranaut was attending the launch of Shirish Kunder’s short film Kriti, where she was asked for her opinion on the matter. Ranaut responded, saying “We all agree that it’s a horrible thing to say. Something that is extremely insensitive. But let’s not encourage that mentality where we want to point fingers at each other and want to feel greater by running people down by trolling them. As a society we have to take responsibility and stand united. It’s a disgrace for the whole society and not an individual. So, what Salim uncle says is right, that we are all sorry about it. It’s not about an individual. We all collectively feel sorry for that thought process.”
At a press meet, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, too, admitted, “It (Khan’s remark) was poor choice of words. And Salman must say sorry”. However, he soon added, “He will come out and say sorry for it. What he said was unfortunate and he also realises it.”
Khan’s father, Salim Khan apologised on Twitter for his son’s comment,
Undoubtedly what Salman said is wrong, the simili, example and the context. The intention was not wrong.
— Salim Khan (@luvsalimkhan) June 21, 2016
Nevertheless I apologise on behalf of his family his fans & his friends. Forgiveness is to pardon the unpardonable or it is no virtue at all
— Salim Khan (@luvsalimkhan) June 21, 2016
His brother Arbaaz Khan said “I would hope that he gives a clarification, because a controversy has been created. So jawaab dena banta hai, because people look up to him, he has got a lot of following, he is a youth icon,” he said at a press meet, adding, “It was just the kind of (statement) where we compare things… ‘I worked like a donkey’, so now people will say you used the word donkey so some animal activist will come after you.”
Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, meanwhile, took to Twitter to defend the actor, saying,
On Tuesday, singer Sona Mohapatra attacked Khan on Twitter, in response to a supporter who was defending him. She tweeted, saying:
Women thrashed,people run over,wild life massacred & yet #hero of the nation.’Unfair’.India full of such supporters pic.twitter.com/qrNkBZCWT1
— #SonaLIVE (@sonamohapatra) June 21, 2016
last 4 who have written in amongst 100 others. Proves the kind of example their ‘hero’ has set. #PopularCulture pic.twitter.com/MM1Ivh0BiA
— #SonaLIVE (@sonamohapatra) June 21, 2016
Sultan’s director, Ali Abbas Zafar, said: “On Tuesday morning, I woke up to phone calls and messages. I switched on the TV to understand what the controversy was all about. If you had been present there (at the press conference), you would have known that was not his intention. We can’t control all these controversies. With social media entering personal life, one has to be conscious of what statement is being made.”
Hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani, who is a rape survivor, took to the internet, criticising Khan.
But this doesn’t even surprise. That man is a walking potty mouth. #insensitiveSalman #fail #YogaDay https://t.co/mOkMqWXpId
— Sapna Moti Bhavnani (@sapnabhavnani) June 21, 2016
And this is exactly how his fans speak too. He breeds rapists. It’s true. I said it. #InsensitiveSalman #NowWillComeTheRapeInsults #lol
— Sapna Moti Bhavnani (@sapnabhavnani) June 21, 2016
What an eyesore to read your name #InsensitiveSalman on #YogaDay and #WorldMusicDay .. Men like you should be jailed for life.
— Sapna Moti Bhavnani (@sapnabhavnani) June 21, 2016
Film critic Raja Sen announced on Twitter that he will not watch Sultan or review it.
Has Salman actually been abused on the sets? Did a wrestler take advantage? Is he a victim speaking up — and then saying he shouldn’t?
— Raja Sen (@RajaSen) June 21, 2016
NOT WATCHING SULTAN.
Enough.— Raja Sen (@RajaSen) June 21, 2016
Actress Pooja Bedi tweeted,
Is @BeingSalmanKhan controversy justified? If I say I fee FAT as an elephant will @PetaIndia file a case? is India getting OVERSENSITIVE?
— Pooja Bedi (@poojabeditweets) June 21, 2016
If @BeingSalmanKhan‘s intention was 2 use the term rape to describe something that shatters someone physically and emotionally, is it wrong?
— Pooja Bedi (@poojabeditweets) June 21, 2016
agreed it’s not the best simili, but if 2 @BeingSalmanKhan rape is the most brutal physical experience anyone could experience, is he wrong?
— Pooja Bedi (@poojabeditweets) June 21, 2016
Renuka Shahane, the actress who played Salman’s Bhabhi in Hum Aapke Hain Koun, took to Twitter to give her reaction saying
There is no consent in rape. There is consent in acting & actors are also paid for it. A rape victim has to pay forever! Be human please!
— renuka shahane (@renukash) June 21, 2016
