Bollywood welcomes Salman's acquittal in hit-and-run case

Bollywood celebrities today welcomed the Bombay High Court verdict in the 2002-hit-and-run case and felt happy that superstar Salman Khan's long legal ordeal today ended in exoneration.
"I am happy for him. It's been 13 years since the case is going on... The family was on tenterhooks. He is a good person... He deserves justice. I do feel bad for the people who lost their lives ...Got injured. I do feel bad for the tragedy," veteran actor Anupam Kher told PTI.
Kher and Salman have worked together in couple of films like "Hum Aapke Hai Kaun", "Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai", "Prem Ratan Dhan Payo".

Director Anees Bazmee, who has worked with the "Dabangg" star in "No Entry" and "Ready", is happy for the actor.
"It (case) has taken a long time... It's a relief for him and his family. It has taken the court to come to conclusion so they would have taken into consideration a lot of factors. I don't know much about the law (whether it's a right or wrong decision). There is no one above the court," he added.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar feels it's a great relief for Salman and his family.

"For 13 years, he was going through this ordeal. So it is a great news for the film industry, directors, producers, and even his fans. I haven't read the judgement but Bombay High Court definitely saw something and gave the verdict which was absolutely right. It is a big, big relief for Salman," he said.

Actress-politician Hema Malini who played the role of Salman's mother on screen in "Baghban" is very happy for the acquittal of "Bajrangi Bhaijaan" star.
"We all feel good about him and this is a great news for all of us. He should now settle down and get married. This is what I wish for him," she said.
While producer Mukesh Bhatt chose to play safe saying he is happy for the 49-year-old actor.
"I am happy for him. Justice has a vague definition in this country. It's (justice) is a beautiful piece of poetry," he added.
Actress Madhuri Dixit who played Salman's leading lady in many of her hits said, "Anything good happens in anyone's life, I am happy about it."

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who has worked with Salman in 2008 film "Yuvvraaj", welcomed the court's verdict saying, "God is always kind to good human beings, @BeingSalmanKhan with gods blessings is freed today from a hanging sword for thirteen years. Cheers."
Ashoke Pandit thanked Salman's lawyers for "brilliantly fighting the case".
(Reopens BOM19)
Meanwhile, asked to comment on the High Court verdict on Salman Khan's 2002-hit-and-run case, veteran actor Raza Murad said that court judgements are not based on emotions, but on facts, so whatever the verdict is, it has to be respected.
When asked why the Indian film producers were not coming to Jammu and Kashmir for shooting their movies, he said, "they were scared of the terrorism in the state".

"There was a time when no film was completed without shooting in Kashmir as it is heaven on earth, but producers and directors are scared of the terrorism in the Valley," Murad said.
"It is the job of the state government to ensure them that their security and safety would be taken care of. The film makers, who are left with no other option but to shoot in foreign locations, would love to return to Jammu and Kashmir," Murad said.