Meena Iyer (DNA; April 6, 2018)

On Thursday, when Salman Khan was given a five-year jail term in the blackbuck poaching case, a pall of gloom descended over Bollywood. The superstar, on whom mega bucks are riding, has almost been a parallel industry by himself in the last few years. His movies, starting with Wanted (2009), have been making more money collectively than those of many of his contemporaries. And he has been the film industry’s lifeline, so to speak.  Many kitchen fires have been kept burning from this one-man industry (check box for Salman’s films).

Three years ago, when he was acquitted in the hit-and-run case that happened in Bandra, Mumbai, a distributor had said, “When prayers go up in unison, even God listens.” Yesterday, the same distributor asked, “What’s the matter? Isn’t God listening?” A star son, who is close to Salman, said, “The news of Salman sir being indicted in the blackbuck case has not sunk in. I’m hoping this is a bad dream and it will go away.”

And even while a distraught industry tried hard to come to terms with the news, others pointed out what a nightmare the last three months have been.

On February 24, the industry lost Sridevi. As if that wasn’t bad enough, March 5 brought the news of Irrfan’s fight with a rare disease. The actor, who is actually at the peak of his career, was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour and is currently undergoing treatment in the UK. His movie with Vishal Bhardwaj has been put on hold indefinitely.

And now, to add insult to injury, Salman will end up being incarcerated in a case that has gone on for 20 long years. Honestly, on the one hand, the industry receives bountiful and on the other, its favourite children are under a black magic spell. Kisi ki buri nazar lag gayi hai.

Salman Khan's films

Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) Rs 339 Cr

Tubelight (2017) Rs114.57 Cr

Sultan (2016) Rs 300.67 Cr

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015) Rs 194.30 Cr

Bajrangi Bhaijaan (2015) Rs 315.49 Cr

Kick (2014) Rs 211.63 Cr

Jai Ho (2014) Rs 109.35 Cr

Dabangg 2 (2012) Rs 149.52 Cr

Ek Tha Tiger (2012) Rs186.84 Cr

Bodyguard (2011) Rs 144.78 Cr

Ready (2011) Rs 120.72 Cr

Dabangg (2010) Rs 141.24 Cr