Salman Khan is accused of culpable homicide not amounting to murder. (Image courtesy: AFP)
For 49-year-old superstar, today will be a moment of reckoning. Superstar Salman Khan, who is facing trial in a Mumbai Sessions Court will be told whether he is guilty of the charges brought against him or not. Additional Sessions Judge D.W. Deshpande will pronounce his verdict in the 12-year-old hit and run case on Wednesday.
Salman has been charged for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, amongst other charges, for allegedly driving drunk and killing one person and injuring four others.
On September 28, 2002, the prosecution claims, Salman Khan consumed alcohol at the Rain Bar and Restaurant in Juhu and took the wheel at the nearby JW Marriot hotel. And on his way home in Bandra he lost control of the car which climbed onto this pavement outside the American Express Bakery and ran over sleeping pavement dwellers.
Public Prosecutor Pradeep Gharat says the evidence against Salman Khan is strong. "This case had initially gone to a Magistrate's court where we presented 17 witnesses and when it shifted to this court (Sessions Court) we presented 27 witnesses."
The prosecution also claims that Salman fled the scene and did not inform the police as required by the law. But the actor has told the court in his defense, that he was present at the spot for 15 minutes, adding that he wasn't drinking and that his driver Ashok Singh was driving at the time of the accident. Ashok Singh, the only defence witness in the case told the court in his testimony, "I was at the wheel when the accident took place. The accident took place as the tyre burst and brake jammed. I narrated the incident to police but was made to wait at police station. I suspected foul play and informed Salman about it."
But whatever be the verdict, conviction or acquittal, it will have an impact beyond the accused. Filmmaker Karan Johar echoes the sentiment. He told reporters, "The matter is subjudice so we don't know what to say but are prayers are with Salman Khan." Salman Khan is one of the reigning Kings of the box office. Khan has given a go ahead to seven films right now, of which two are currently in production. Both the Kabir Khan directed
Bajrangi Bhaijan and Suraj Barjatiya's
Prem Ratan Dhan Payo are in their last schedule, which is a relief.
Trade analyst Komal Nahta says, "If you take Rs. 75 crore each for these two films, it comes to a total of Rs 150 crore. And then if you add another Rs 50 crore for the projects that he has signed, it comes to Rs 200 crore. There is some amount of tension but the actor has the option to further appeal his case."
Add to that the 10 brands that Salman endorses. The total money riding on Khan is said to be at the very least Rs. 230 crores.
In 2014 alone the actor's films grossed Rs. 338 crores. For the industry he is a coveted war horse. So clearly, a lot at stake with this verdict, for the industry as well as the accused.