Rio Olympics row: Aishwarya backs Salman

Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan on Tuesday backed actor Salman Khan, who has been drawing flak after being appointed as the Goodwill Ambassador to represent the Indian contingent at the Rio Olympics 2016, saying one must give due recognition to anybody doing good to represent the country.

"I just have to say that anybody who is doing good to represent the country and anyone who is working or speaking or standing up for the betterment of whatever vocation we have in our country, be it sports, be it arts, be it music, I think that's wonderful and is something which needs to be recognised," she told the media at an event here.

Salman's appointment as the goodwill ambassador of the Indian contingent for the upcoming Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro came under criticism from wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and legendary sprinter Milkha Singh.

Both questioned the motive behind appointing a Bollywood superstar instead of a sportsperson as the ambassador.

Salman's father and veteran writer Salim Khan lashed out at Milkha Singh last night, saying the 'Dabangg' actor is an A-level swimmer, cyclist and weight-lifter.

"Salman may not have competed but is an A list swimmer, cyclist and weight lifter. Sportsmen are performing because of sports lovers like us," he tweeted.

"It's not Bollywood industry but the Indian film industry which is the largest in the world," he said in a series of tweets.