Puneet Issar Recalls Salman Khan's Struggles During Hit-And-Run Trial: ‘He Was Disturbed But...'
Director Puneet Issar opens up about Salman Khan's emotional struggle while filming Garv amid the 2002 hit-and-run case.
Actor-director Puneet Issar has reflected on a turbulent chapter in Salman Khan's life — a time when the actor was caught in the eye of a legal storm following the 2002 hit-and-run case — and how he remained professionally committed during the filming of Garv: Pride & Honour (2004). In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Issar opened up about Salman's mindset during that difficult time and the role his family, especially father Salim Khan, played in guiding him.
'Obviously, the man was disturbed," Puneet said, recalling Salman's emotional state. 'Ultimately, his family members decided that he should start work and concentrate on it."
Issar revealed that Salman's father, screenwriter Salim Khan, made it clear that work would be a stabilizing force for the actor. 'Salim sahab maintained that during that phase of Salman's life, he should just work. Salim sahab told me to tell Salman to stay busy at work, and this was a collective decision taken by his family. It was the right decision and that's what he did," Puneet added.
Despite the ongoing court case, intense media glare, and public scrutiny, Salman did not allow the turmoil to derail his professional commitments. Puneet, who directed Garv, noted that Salman showed remarkable resilience and continued to deliver on set.
'His morale was very good on set. He is a professional. He has a comfort zone, he works in that, he would come, work out and shoot," Puneet said.
The Garv shoot coincided with one of the most trying times in Salman's life. In 2002, the actor was accused of driving his Toyota Land Cruiser over a group of people sleeping on a footpath in Mumbai's Bandra area, killing one and injuring others. It was also alleged that he was intoxicated at the time. In 2015, the Bombay High Court acquitted Salman of all charges, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove its case. Justice A.R. Joshi said there was not enough evidence to prove Salman was inebriated or driving the vehicle.
First Published:
July 03, 2025, 16:13 IST
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
8 hours ago
- India Today
Court orders FIR within a week in custodial death case of 35-year-old law student
The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court has directed the Maharashtra government and the Mondha Police Station in Parbhani to register a First Information Report (FIR) within one week in connection with the alleged custodial death of 35-year-old Somnath a final-year law student, died on December 15, 2024, while in judicial bench comprising Justices Vibha Kankanwadi and Sanjay A Deshmukh said they were 'constrained' to pass the direction and stressed that the investigation must be conducted by a Deputy Superintendent of The directive came while hearing a petition filed by Vijayabai Vyankat Suryawanshi, the mother of the to the petitioner, Somnath was one of around 50 individuals detained after violence broke out during a protest in Parbhani on December 11, 2024. The unrest was reportedly a reaction to the vandalism of a replica of the Indian Constitution near a statue of Dr. B R Ambedkar outside the Parbhani Railway Station. That vandalism had occurred a day earlier during a protest organised by the Hindu Sakal Samaj Morcha against alleged atrocities on Hindus in who was reportedly carrying a copy of the Constitution at the time of his arrest, was first kept in police custody until December 14 and later sent to judicial custody. He died early the next morning, allegedly after complaining of chest pain. However, his family claims he had been severely beaten in custody.A postmortem report cited 'shock following multiple injuries' as the probable cause of death, noting 24 injuries, including contusions and abrasions inflicted between a few hours to four days before her petition, Vijayabai Suryawanshi alleged that she was taken to meet a senior police officer who offered her Rs 50 lakh and jobs for her other sons in the police department if she refrained from filing a complaint. The family was also reportedly urged to perform Somnath's last rites in their village in Latur rather than in Prakash Ambedkar, appearing for the family, argued that although a judicial inquiry had been conducted, no FIR had been filed, and the law lacks clarity on the procedure following such an inquiry. He emphasized the need for legal guidelines to address such gaps and demanded that an FIR be registered immediately for the alleged court took serious note of the injuries found on Suryawanshi's body and remarked that those in custody remain under the protection of the Constitution. 'If constitutional rights are violated in custody by an officer or even another inmate, the court must interfere at a prima facie stage,' the bench court also highlighted the nature and timing of the injuries - some of which were consistent with abuse sustained over several days - further strengthening the suspicion of custodial light of these findings, the court directed the police to file an FIR and proceed with an impartial investigation. The move has been welcomed by rights activists and legal experts as a significant step toward ensuring accountability in custodial death cases.- EndsTune InMust Watch
Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Prima facie cognisable offence made out': Bombay HC directs govt to register FIR in Parbhani custodial death in a week
The Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court on Friday passed an interim order directing the Maharashtra government to register FIR within one week in custodial death of Somnath Surwayanshi, a labourer picked up by the police in December, 2024 following protests in Parbhani. The HC directed that FIR be registered based on the complaint filed by Somnath's mother on December 18, 2024, making allegations against police officers and that investigation be handed over to the officer of the Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) rank. The court observed that there was 'prima facie material on record' to show that 'cognizable offence was made out', therefore the state should have registered the FIR. Suryawanshi (35), a labourer who was pursuing law, was among nearly 50 people arrested by the Parbhani police on December 11, 2024 following violent protests staged against December 10 vandalisation of a replica of Constitution outside Parbhani Railway station. Suryawanshi, belonging to a nomadic tribe, died in judicial custody in a local jail on December 15 last year, which police claimed was due to heart attack. A division bench of Justices Vibha V Kanknanwadi and Sanjay A Deshmukh passed an interim order on plea by Vijayabai Vyankat Suryawanshi, mother of Somnath, who alleged that he died due to custodial torture and brutality by police officers. The government had transferred the probe from local police to the state CID. Advocate Prakash Ambedkar, appearing for the mother, argued that despite the Judicial Magistrate having inquired into custodial death under section 196 of the Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the state government was not ready for registering FIR and taking further action. The magistrial inquiry had concluded that the police officers were responsible for his death. The petitioner, among other prayers, sought from court the direction to the state government to register FIR under section 103 (punishment for murder) and other provisions of Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) along with sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Justice Kankanwadi observed that in case of any medical query about death of a person, the inquiry or investigating usually approach the medical officers who conducted the autopsy. However, in the present case, 'interestingly, the Deputy Superintendent of Police, State CID, has taken his own decision to make queries and seek opinion from a team of medical experts from JJ Hospital (state run), Mumbai and the Committee appears to have given a report on April 4, 2025 to Deputy Superintendent of Police, state CID, Parbhani.' The HC said that while it would not express opinion at present, the question that required to be gone into was why he did not seek an opinion of the seven-member team from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar that conducted the autopsy. Justice Kankanwadi for the bench perused 'entire record' and noted that there were 24 visible injuries as per postmortem report along with internal injuries. 'The question would then arise as to who has caused those injuries,' HC said. As per records, the bench said age of injuries was between few hours to four days before the death and all abrasions were between two to four days before the death and the team of seven doctors had given a probable cause of death as 'shock following multiple injuries'. 'Now, when there was prima facie material on record i.e. on the basis of inquest panchanama, postmortem report, report of Judicial Magistrate First Class under Section 196 of BNSS and the complaint application by the petitioner, a cognizable office was made out and, therefore, State ought to have registered the FIR. The guidelines in Lalita Kumari v. State of Uttar Pradesh, were prima facie made out,' the HC held. 'We are of the opinion that the material which she was placing before the police, were sufficient for registration of the FIR,' the HC held in its interim order, posting further hearing on other prayers in the plea to July 30,
News18
10 hours ago
- News18
Battle Of Galwan First Look: Fans Hail Salman Khan's Comeback As 'Pure Goosebumps'
Last Updated: Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Battle of Galwan is based on true events. The release date and full cast details are still under wraps. Salman Khan's upcoming film Battle of Galwan has ignited massive buzz online with its powerful first look. Unveiled on Friday, the motion poster shows Salman in a bloodied, battle-worn avatar, clad in uniform, with an intense moustache and fierce patriotism radiating from his expression. The project is being widely hailed as his long-awaited comeback after the underwhelming response to his last film, Sikandar. The announcement set off a wave of excitement among fans and celebrities alike. Actor and TV host Maniesh Paul was among the first to react to Salman's Instagram post, writing, 'Gazzzaaaaabbbb. Bhaijaan (sic)." Social media was flooded with fan reactions. One Instagram user commented, 'Kuch bada hone wala hai (Something big is about to happen) (sic)." Another fan declared, 'Megastar Salman Khan is all set to return in a big way with Galwan (sic)," while a third added, 'Box office is not ready for this (sic)." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Salman Khan (@beingsalmankhan) On X (formerly Twitter), the sentiment was equally emotional and patriotic. A user wrote, 'He bleeds for the nation. We wait with our hearts. Battle of Galwan is not just a film, it's a tribute. Make us feel every drop of sacrifice, Salman Khan. We are ready. (sic)." Another commented, 'Salute to the bravehearts who created history in Galwan! Salman Khan's upcoming film Battle of Galwan is a tribute to the courageous soldiers who laid down their lives but never bowed down. Based on true events, this film is not just a story — it's a spirit. (sic)" The Galwan Valley clash, which took place on June 15, 2020, was a deadly skirmish between Indian and Chinese troops in Ladakh. Colonel B Santosh Babu, who led the 16 Bihar regiment, is reportedly the real-life figure Salman portrays in the film. Adding to the intrigue, Salman posted a cryptic message on Instagram on Thursday, writing, 'Mehnat karo sahi disha mein… banayega unhi ko unke hunar ka pehelwan," hinting at the film's themes of strength, honour, and sacrifice. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia, Battle of Galwan is based on true events. The release date and full cast details are still under wraps, but the first look has already struck an emotional chord. First Published:
