In what reads like a scene out of a high-octane Bollywood thriller, veteran screenwriter Salim Khan has found himself grappling with a real-life harrowing episode involving his superstar son, Salman Khan. After an incident of gunfire just outside the renowned actor’s family home in Mumbai, the patriarch Khan broke his silence, condemning the attackers and expressing his reliance on police protection.
On the evening of April 14th, the quietude of the upscale residential area where Salman Khan resides was shattered by the sound of gunshots. Two unidentified individuals brazenly opened fire near the actor’s abode, Galaxy Apartments, sending waves of panic and bewilderment through the Khan clan. The attackers vanished into the night, leaving behind unanswered questions and a trail of fear.
The Mumbai police acted swiftly, and by the early hours of April 16th, mere days following the unsettling ordeal, law enforcement officials confirmed the apprehension of two suspects. Collaborative efforts between local and interstate police culminated in the capture of the duo in Bhuj, a city in the western Indian state of Gujarat.
While details of the investigation continue to unfold, revered filmmaker Salim Khan offered insights in a candid conversation with India Today. The octogenarian, a stalwart of the Hindi film industry, was forthright in his view of those who resorted to violence, labeling the culprits as ‘jaahil’—an Urdu word connoting ignorance or lack of education. “What’s there to talk about these ‘jaahil’ people who threaten to kill to make a point?” he questioned disapprovingly.
In the wake of the incident, the Mumbai Police bolstered their protective efforts for the celebrity family. An appreciative Salim Khan quoted their assurance, “We’ve been given extra police protection. They’ve (Mumbai Police) assured protection for us and our friends. If they’ve arrested two people today, that means they’re on it,” providing some solace amidst the turmoil.
Salman Khan, advised by his father and others, is said to be carrying on with his professional engagements, as routine and security prepare to intertwine more closely in the Khan family’s daily life. Despite the gravity of the situation, Salim Khan refrained from further comment, deferring to ongoing police processes.
The incident has taken its psychological toll on the Khan family, with Salman’s sibling Arbaaz Khan, himself an actor and filmmaker, vocalizing the emotional disturbance. When questioned, he underscored the family’s unwavering support to the law enforcement agencies in their quest to decipher the perplexing and brazen attack.
Adding a more sinister twist, a claim of responsibility for the shooting materialized online within hours of the attack. A message on social media, seething with a sense of forewarning, read: “We want peace. If the only decision against oppression is war, then so be it. Salman Khan, we have only shown you a trailer so that you understand our strength and do not test it. This is the first and last warning. After this, bullets will not be fired outside the house only.”
Investigators made a significant headway in tracing the source of this ominous declaration, pinpointing the IP address to Portugal. The authentication of this discovery by the police marks a potential breakthrough in unearthing the motivations and entities behind the aggressive act.
The shooting and subsequent investigation have sent ripples through the circles of Bollywood and Indian society. Salman Khan has long been a beloved figure in the nation’s cinematic landscape, and the attack on a household name has raised concerns about the safety of public figures in a country that often reveres its movie stars.
Time will tell how this story unfolds, but the resilience of the Khan family and their trust in the judicial system remain steadfast. As the worlds of glamor and crime unnervingly collide, the demand for justice echoes louder, and the protective gaze over one of India’s most famous families tightens.
