Salman Khan Guilty: How Will This Impact His Films and TV Shows?

A lot of money as well as careers are riding on the superstar who has been held guilty in the blackbuck case.

How will the conviction in the blackbuck poaching case affect Salman Khan?

(Photo: Yogen Shah)

With Salman Khan being held guilty in the blackbuck poaching case by the Jodhpur court on Thursday, 5 April - there’s now a question mark on some of the films and TV shows that the actor is a part of. One of the most powerful and successful actors in the Hindi film industry, Salman’s conviction and resultant further legal battle in higher courts will continue to haunt the projects that he is working on.

Click here for all the live updates in the blackbuck case.

Race 3

Salman will be next seen in Race 3. Directed by Remo D’ Souza, the film also stars Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandez and Bobby Deol among others. As of now, Race 3 is set for an Eid 2018 release. The conviction comes as bad news for the producers, the shoot of the film - believed to have been made with a budget of a minimum of Rs 100 crore to Rs 120 crore - is yet to be wrapped up.

The Sultan actor had reportedly shot for a song for Race 3 in Abu Dhabi right before he returned to Mumbai on Wednesday and flew to Jodhpur for the verdict in the blackbuck poaching case.

It is likely that Salman will get bail, but if at all the actor faces imprisonment under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 - Race 3 might get negatively affected with continuity problems and also a delay in its release date.

Bharat

Salman Khan has also signed Ali Abbas Zafar’s, Bharat, which is being pitted as the actor’s “patriotic pitch”. Set against the Partition of 1947, Bharat is being adapted from the Ode to My Father, a 2014 South Korean drama film directed by Yoon Je-kyoon. Salman will reportedly sport five different looks in it. If the rumour mills are to be believed, Priyanka Chopra is a very strong contender to be his leading lady in the film.

Reportedly Salman’s most ambitious project till date, Bharat has an estimated budget of Rs 200 crore. The shoot is expected to start this April, and the film is slated to release on Eid 2019.

The makers of Bharat would need to reschedule their shoot and release dates depending on quantum of punishment that Salman receives.

Kick 2 + Dabangg 3 + Dancing Dad + Tiger 3

Salman has also signed Kick 2 with Sajid Nadiadwala, a sequel to the 2014 film. The film is reportedly still at the scripting stage and is expected to roll next year with a 2019 Christmas release.

There’s also Dabangg 3 (which he is also producing), Dancing Dad, and the sequel to Tiger Zinda Hai that have been announced. All these films are likely to be delayed till there is clarity on Salman’s availability. While the actor could well be out on bail and continue acting, he will be constantly under pressure as the case will continue to be fought in higher courts.

There’s also much at stake for Salman Khan, the producer. For starters, there’s the launch of his brother-in-law Aayush Sharma. 

Loveratri

Salman Khan is launching his brother-in-law Aayush Sharma in Bollywood with Loveratri, which he is producing. Made with an estimated Rs 150 crore, Salman is throwing his full weight behind the film. He’s family, duh. Since the actor is not making an appearance in the film, this project is unlikely to face much of a problem.

Isabelle Kaif’s Launch

Katrina Kaif’s sister Isabelle Kaif is ready to make her Bolly debut with Stanley D’Costa’s dance film, Time To Dance. While Salman might not be directly involved in the film, there’s a strong buzz that he would do his bit to ensure ex-girlfriend Kat’s little sister grabs the maximum eyeballs. Time to Dance also features Sooraj Pancholi, who Salman launched in Hero under his banner. Salman was to recreate his number O O Jaane Jaana... to publicise the film. If out on bail, that remix is definitely happening.

And that’s not all. Salman Khan is a bankable face on television as well.

Bigg Boss

Salman has emerged to be the most successful host of the reality TV show Bigg Boss and he has been helming it since 2010. The show is clearly a money-spinner for Colors TV and Salman himself reportedly earned a whopping Rs 11 crore per episode for Bigg Boss 11. And why not? He combines just the right dose of entertainment and audacity to keep the audience hooked. Will the Colors risk signing the star on for the latest season of Bigg Boss this year despite his conviction?

10 Ka Dum

Salman Khan also confirmed that he will be returning for the third season of 10 Ka Dum, a reality game show on Sony TV, after a gap of nine years. According to some reports, the star would be paid a jaw-dropping Rs 78 crore for 20 episodes of 10 Ka Dum.

While an early promo of the show is out, its shoot is yet to start and so the channel has the option to wait and watch how Salman’s conviction plays out before taking a decision on going ahead with the game show at all.

While it is unlikely that any producer or channel associated with Salman Khan likely to face a heavy losses right away post his conviction, the industry will definitely be waiting and watching closely as to how the blackbuck poaching case moves in higher courts now that the lower court has found him guilty.