Ongoing: ‘I was hoping the problem would be over’

Salim Khan fails to understand son’s rape comment controversy

MUMBAI: Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan said he had hoped that apologising on behalf of son Salman Khan for his “raped woman” comment would put an end to the problems that have recently surfaced, taking Bollywood by storm. However, he is upset with how the media has taken the issue to saturation point.

“Normally people apologise to get rid of the problem but I meant it hoping that the problem would be over,” Salim wrote. “What is the meaning of getting an apology from a person under the guillotine, who knows rightly or wrongly that he has not committed a crime? But commercial compulsion, the media wanted to carry it to the saturation point. I regret not knowing this,” the 80-year-old tweeted.

Trouble ensued when Salman used an inappropriate metaphor of having felt like a raped woman while describing his ordeal during the shooting of his latest film Sultan. He made the statement during a press interaction, and his comment last month snowballed into an avalanche of controversy.

Later, Salim contended that Salman meant no ill will when he said he felt like a raped woman and even apologised on his behalf after the latter was condemned on social media. Following this, the Dabangg actor too clarified that he only meant to say that it was difficult for him to walk properly following the strenuous shooting sessions, and that he had phrased his words incorrectly.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) and Shiv Sena, among others, demanded a public apology from Salman. The NCW did receive a response from Salman via his lawyer but officials of the body said it was not an apology. The Commission summoned the actor for a personal appearance on July 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2016.

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