To err is human, to err and get away is Salman Khan
Image source: GettyImages
-Honey Mehta
During an interview for the promotion of the movie ‘Sultan’, leading actor Salman Khan made a remark: “I felt like a raped woman walking out.” Khan compared shooting wrestling shots, lifting a 120-kg man ten times and his hectic schedule to feeling like a raped woman. The nation went into an uproar, women commissions went berserk and a few rape victims sued him. The prime time television news show of the country thought it worth its time and TRP to discuss this burning issue. Ten distinguished personalities chose to come on that show to either defend or question the actor’s statement. Articles, listicles, videos and Snapchats about the issue were made and shared in millions.
It all boils down to one question: Should he apologise?
Salman Khan acts in movies for a living. He chooses the movies he wants to work in. A woman on the other hand does not choose to be raped. It is an act of sexual assault inflicted on her. She is damaged physically, mentally and emotionally beyond repair. The actor made an analogy of the difficulty he endured in shooting a film to this pain. Should he apologise?
Subhash Ghai, a distinguished film director from Bollywood, called the 50-year-old actor ‘a child’, and his comment ‘a metaphor to describe human agony’. To be raped brutally and have a rod inserted in your private parts is human agony. To wrestle with heavyweights by choice for your movie is called method acting. Should Salman apologise?
Salman Khan is the Goodwill Ambassador of Rio Olympics - India Contingent. His being part of the India contingent is expected to boost morale. This person, who trivialized rape in an offhand comment, will be the ‘goodwill’ ambassador for India. He is placed in a position to influence a large section of the masses. Should he apologise?
In India, the film industry has a huge following. Salman Khan is part of the ‘3 Khans’ who are considered to be the pillars of Bollywood. Salman, popularly called Bhai, has 18.3 million followers on Twitter. His fans celebrate the release of his film like it is a national festival. Just a hand wave from his balcony can gather thousands. Say anything against ‘Bhai’ and before him, his fans will jump to his defence. Only few have this kind of power or influence. There is a famous saying, “with great power comes great responsibility”. Should he apologise?
Salim Khan, the father of the ‘faulted’, tweeted a public apology on behalf of his child. This is not the first time he has justified his son’s behaviour. If only to avoid more embarrassment for his family, should he apologise?
Khan runs a charity organisation ‘Being Human’ that works in education and healthcare for the underprivileged in India. When an educated person makes such a blunder, it is expected he understands the gravity of the words he spoke. Should he apologise?
From the interview, it is evident that Khan was quick to retract his comment: if that is the case, why the apprehension in making a public apology? There is no question that the statement was insensitive and reprehensible. It is not whether he meant it or not, it is whether he realizes the meaning of the words spoken. The term rape cannot be used callously, especially at a time when quite a few brutal rape cases have come to light. It is a serious issue. Rape survivors undergo years of treatment to recover from the trauma. The pains of lifting a heavy person are not going to haunt Mr Khan in his sleep. However, if he stills stands by what he said and if he still believes that wrestling for hours during a hectic movie schedule is equivalent to being raped, should he undergo treatment or should he apologise?
You decide.
