The National Commission for Women (NCW) has demanded an apology within seven days from Bollywood superstar Salman Khan who said he felt “like a raped woman” during an upcoming film’s rigorous shooting schedule, reports stated on Tuesday (today).
Khan reportedly made the comments in an interview to promote his latest movie Sultan, which tells the story of an ageing wrestler trying to make a comeback.
“Considering the number of female fans he has, he shouldn’t have made such a statement. Salman Khan should apologise,” NCW chief Lalitha Kumaramangalam told news channels on Tuesday. The NCW has sought an apology within seven days.
The controversy erupted after the 50-year-old Khan said in an interview, “while shooting for six hours for Sultan, there’d be so much of lifting and thrusting on the ground involved.”
He also added, “that was tough for me because if I was lifting, I’d have to lift the same 120-kilo guy 10 times for 10 different angles… When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman. I couldn’t walk straight. I would eat and then, head right back to training. That couldn’t stop.”
Surprised by the actor’s callous statement, the interview’s audio file was dug up to ascertain if the Bajrangi Bhaijaan did, in fact, make the comment. Although Salman almost immediately took back his words, saying, “I don’t think I should have (said that),” it’s still disappointing that a senior actor and star of his stature would talk of rape in that manner.
When contacted the actor’s manager said that he has been misquoted.
In the same interview published on Monday, Khan said he had been able to quit every “vice” except women, saying that he had given up cigarettes, coffee and alcohol but not the female company.
Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, on Tuesday defended the Bollywood actor over his ‘raped woman’ comment that has generated a massive controversy.
Salim said his son’s statement was “undoubtedly” wrong but his intentions were not.
“Nevertheless, I apologise on behalf of his family his fans & his friends. Forgiveness is to pardon the unpardonable or it is no virtue at all,” the noted screenwriter said in a series of tweets.
Salman sparked a controversy by saying his heavy training schedule for his upcoming film Sultan left him feeling “like a raped woman”.