Salman Khan is a main character on social media today after attempting to defend his alleged dress code for women on set and ending up compounding the controversy. On an episode of TV show Aap Ki Adalat, the actor was challenged by host Rajat Sharma on his "double standards" – was it ok to police women's clothing while himself taking his shirt off in his movies every chance he gets, Salman Khan was asked. "There is no double standard in it. I feel that a woman's body is a lot more precious, so as much as it is covered, I feel it's better," was the Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan star's problematic reply.
Asked to elaborate, Salman Khan placed the blame on the male gaze. "Ye ladkiyo ka chakkar nahi hai, ye ladko ka chakkar hai. Jis hisab se ladke ladkiyo ko dekhte hai, aapki behne, aapki biwiya, aapki mothers, wo mujhe acha nahi lagta. (It's about the boys not the girls. The way they look at girls, at your sister, wife or mother, I do not like it). So, I do not want them to go through this," Salman said, using an argument that has been employed by the custodians of patriarchal norms to punish women for their choice of outfits.
On Twitter, there has been a certain amount of backlash – unsurprisingly, many are of the opinion that Salman Khan has said and done nothing wrong but some, like satire handle The Desh Bhakt, noted that the actor's words smacked of hypocrisy while also acknowledging his alleged violence against women in his dating history.
Salman Khan's dress code for women – he hasn't denied that he imposes one – was revealed in passing by actress Palak Tiwari who appears in the star's new release Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan. Speaking to Siddharth Kannan, she said, When I was AD-ing (assistant directing) with Salman sir on Antim, not many people know this, Salman sir had a rule: Koi bhi ladki mere set pe ho (any girl on my set), neckline should be here (pointing towards the collarbone.) All the girls should be covered, like good proper girls. My mom saw me wearing full tee, joggers, full covered and going to set and she was like 'how you are dressed so well?' I told her 'Salman sir ke set pe rule hai (Salman sir has this rule on set) and she was like 'wow! Very good.'"
"He is a traditionalist. Of course, he's like, 'Jo pehenna hai pehno (wear whatever you want),' but he's also like my girls should always be protected. If there are men around who he doesn't personally know, it's not his personal space where he doesn't trust everyone, he's like, the girl should be safe, always," Palak added.
As backlash followed, Palak Tiwari attempted to back pedal. "It's really been misunderstood," she told ETimes about her comments, adding, "All I wanted to say is that I have put certain guidelines for myself as to how to dress around people who are way senior to me, who have I pretty much grown up idolising. Salman sir is, of course, one of them."
Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan co-stars Pooja Hegde and Shehnaaz Gill also attempted damage control. "It's also because he speaks his mind. A lot of people think it but they don't say it whereas he says what's on his mind. It is very clear and that can sometimes make people be like 'Oh my God!' It takes you aback because you are not used to people speaking their minds," Pooja told Zoom Digital. Shehnaaz told News18, "Nothing like that, I wore a very sexy dress during the promotion. Salman sir keeps motivating me and saying that you will grow in your career."
Salman Khan's new film Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan released on Eid to poor reviews but fair box office numbers.