Targeted for star status, justice delivered: Mixed voices on Salman verdict

The Hindi film industry erupted with outrage and concern as Salman Khan was today sentenced to five years in jail for killing endangered blackbucks, with many of his colleagues stressing that the successful actor had been punished because he was a star, and just a few pointing out that justice had been delivered.

As the 52-year-old actor's friends and colleagues reacted with shock over the jail term for the superstar in the 1998 poaching case, director Subhash Ghai said Khan was likely to appeal to a higher court.

"I am extremely shocked," Ghai, who has worked with Khan in several films, tweeted.

The director said he had "full trust in the Indian judiciary which has many other doors" for an "appeal for final justice".

Friends started tweeting and fans began to gather outside Khan's house in Galaxy Apartment, Bandra, soon after the verdict was announced. A police van has been stationed outside his house since the morning.

"I don't know how to react. I am numb. I hope he stays strong. His fans will always love him," a young devotee, standing outside the actor's house, said.

Khan was taken to the Jodhpur Central Jail after he was convicted of gunning down two blackbuck 20 years ago in Rajasthan, where he was shooting for "Hum Saath Saath Hain".

His co-stars in the film -- Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre -- were acquitted in the case, with the judge of the sessions court giving them the "benefit of the doubt".

Neelam's husband, actor-director Samir Soni, said though he was happy for his wife, he believed Khan had been targeted for his star status.

"I have mixed emotions right now. I am happy for Neelam and the rest. It is a 20- year-old ordeal. I don't know why Salman was singled out. It seems his (star) status has come in the way," Soni told PTI