Salman Khan's Remark On Rape Was Wrong, Says Father Salim

Mumbai: As public outrage swelled over actor Salman Khan stating that his training for his role as a wrestler in "Sultan" left him feeling "like a raped woman", his father, Salim Khan, a noted film-writer, apologized on the 50-year-old's behalf with posts on Twitter.

"Undoubtedly what Salman said is wrong, the simili, example and the context. The intention was not wrong," he tweeted. In another post, he wrote:

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

— Salim Khan (@luvsalimkhan) June 21, 2016

Mr Khan, whose movie releases on Eid, has also been ordered to apologize within a week by the National Commission for Women, failing which, the organization said, he would be summoned for an explanation.

During a publicity session with reporters on Saturday, the actor was quoted as saying "When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman."

In the audio of the interaction on Saturday, some laughter from reporters followed the comment and he seconds later corrected himself, stating: "I don't think I should have..."



Sources close to him said he is likely to make a blanket apology before leaving tonight for Madrid.

Shaina NC, who belongs to the ruling BJP in Maharashtra, was among those who strongly criticised the actor. "Salman must be condemned for his statement. The Salman everyone knows respects women and if he does respect women then he should admit he made a mistake and apologise," she said.

Kavita Krishnan, a women's rights activist, said, "Salman Khan's comment trivialises rape, but it's not just Salman, rape analogies are common in society and films."

In the same interview, Mr Khan said he had been able to quit every "vice" except women, saying that he had given up cigarettes, coffee and alcohol but not female company. "There's nothing left to quit anymore," he said to entertainment site SpotboyE.

Mr Khan is accused of killing a homeless man in a hit-and-run accident in Mumbai in 2002.  Another court case has him battling charges  that he used unlicensed arms to shoot antelopes in Rajasthan.

More recently, in April, India's sports stars reacted with dismay after he was appointed goodwill ambassador for the Olympic team in the Rio Games later this year.