Salman Khan convicted: Bollywood stands by the actor

Govinda prays for Salman Khan at Shirdi's shrine

Ever since Salman Khan has been convicted in the 2002 hit-run-case, celebs and friends have been visiting the Dabangg Khan at his residence. All his supporters and friends are praying for the Bollywood star. According to a report in PTI, Govinda visited Shirdi's shrine to pray for him. The actor was quoted saying, "I have prayed for Salman at Shirdi Sai Baba shrine. I cannot talk much at the moment but I have prayed for him." Govinda, who worked with Salman in Partner shared this with the reporters on Saturday night (May 9, 2015) after paying obeisance at the famous shrine. He also visited Salman at his Galaxy apartment residence after the verdict in the 13-year-old case was pronounced on Wednesday.

Read on to know what Salman's good friend and politician Baba Siddiqui had to say when the actor was granted bail...

Salman Khan is a free man, at least till July 2015 when the next hearing in the 2002 hit-and-run case will be scheduled. The actor was granted bail on May 8, 2015 after he surrendered to court and submitted the bail bond. His close friend Baba Siddiqui was seen doing the rounds of the court along with family members. After the verdict he said, "Truth prevails. Today the judge made observations of the report and the defence contested it. The reasons for applying the section 304 (II) was also discussed. The family is relieved. The faith that we showed in the higher court and judiciary has paid off today. I haven't spoken to Salman yet, but everyone has given a positive reaction."

Read further to know what Ranbir Kapoor said about Salman Khan...

Actor Ranbir Kapoor is the latest B-Town celeb to come out in support of Salman Khan. Refraining from commenting on the verdict, Ranbir was quoted was saying that one must get inspired from the good work that Salman has done for the society. The actor added that Salman has done tremendous work for the society and has helped many people through his foundation. Ranbir claimed that he has known the Khan heartthrob for years and also called him a great human being.

However, Farah Khan Ali had to apologise to a tweet that she had posted in support of Salman Khan. Read on to know more...

Sussanne's sister Farah Ali Khan has defended herself on Twitter. The jewellery designer spoke in support of Bollywood star Salman Khan but it seems her tweets backfired. Farah, who had posted a barrage of messages on her official Twitter account, wrote in one of her posts, "And maybe we need to earmark roads where the homeless can sleep peacefully without the fear of being run over, roads that are bylanes." This drew her a lot of flak and in order to clarify her stance, she once again posted, "And so, I would like to offer an UNCONDITIONAL apology for my tweets ref the homeless sleeping on the streets." Further adding, " My tweet may sound insensitive 2 u all with ref to pavement dwellers &I did not mean it that way so im sorry if it came out in anothr manner." [sic]

While Farah's tweets may have irked many, read on to know what singer Abhijeet had to say that created an uproar on social media...

Ever since the verdict is out in the 2002 Salman Khan Khan hit-and-run case, social media has been abuzz. Salman's fans and his film fraternity friends have come in support of the actor and have stood by him.But some celebs have shown their support in a rather insensitive way and one prime example is singer Abhijeet. He took to Twitter to voice his opinion and posted, "Roads are meant for cars and dogs not for people sleeping on them.. @BeingSalmanKhan is not at fault at all..@arbaazSkhan @sonakshisinha." Further adding, " Mumbai ke road Aur footpath pe sone ka shauk hai ?? Y not at your village no vehicles to kill u.. Support @BeingSalmanKhan @sonakshisinha." Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor did not seem to be too flattered with these statements. He posted on the micro-blogging site, "Mumbai ke road Aur footpath pe sone ka shauk hai ?? Y not at your village no vehicles to kill u.. Support @BeingSalmanKhan @sonakshisinha."Even Sonakshi Sinha was not too pleased with Abhijeet's comments. She posted, "I support my friend but i would never support such insensitive and negative talk. Please dont tag me in ur tweets @abhijeetsinger sir." [sic]

Read on to know what the noted singer tweeted that irked both Rishi Kapoor and Sonakshi...

While the Bollywood fraternity is tweeting in support of Salman Khan but being fair in their support by saying that they respect the judiciary system of the country, there are certain celebs who find it to be very unfair. Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya tweeted, "Kutta rd pe soyega kutte ki maut marega, roads garib ke baap ki nahi hai I ws homles an year nvr slept on rd Come out fraternity, support @BeingSalmanKhan boldly not hypocriticly Roads footpath r not meant 4 sleeping, not driver's or alcohol's fault. Mumbai ke road Aur footpath pe sone ka shauk hai ?? Y not at your village no vehicles to kill u.. Suicide is crime so is sleeping on footpath..80% homeles film ppl strugld achievd stardom but never slept on footpath" However, Abhijeet is not the only one to have reacted against the verdict. Farah Khan Ali also tweeted her views and drew analogies between people sleeping on the footpath and people crossing the railway tracks. She wrote, "The govt should be responsible for housing ppl.If no 1was sleeping on d road in any other country Salman wuld not have driven over anybody. It's like penalising a train driver because someone decided to cross the tracks and got killed in the bargain." [sic]

While Abhijeet and Farah's tweets seem to have sparked off a controversy, here's how Tweetizens reacted to the verdict that sentenced Salman Khan to five years of imprisonment...

It's judgement day for actor Salman Khan as the verdict in the 2002- hit-and-run case has been announced. The actor has been convicted of all charges and has been pronounced guilty and has been sentenced to five years imprisonment. The actor was accompanied by his family and loved ones. Even his B-town friends paid the actor a visit yesterday, including King Khan, Sajid Nadiadwala and David Dhawan. Salman was shooting in Kashmir for Bajrangi Bhaijaan and flew down last evening for the court hearing. Ever since, social media has been abuzz and the Dabangg actor has already been trending. Here's a look at what celebrities and his Bollywood friends have to say in support of the actor.

The first to come out in support of the actor was none other than his younger sister Arpita Khan Sharma. The latter is known to be a favourite of Salman and dotes on her bhaijaan. Arpita took to Twitter to post, "Today is a big day for us & we know we are not alone.Thank you for your Dua's , love & support always. God bless !" [sic]

Brother-in-law Atul Agnihotri too came out in support of Salman. He tweeted, "God bless you all for the messages of love and support.. Makes us feel so much stronger. Sachi Dua say bada kuch nahi."

Image Courtesy: Twitter

Sonakshi Sinha @sonakshisinha
"Terrible news. Dnt knw wht to say except tht will stand by @BeingSalmanKhan no matter what. Hes a good man and no 1 can tk tht away frm him."

Daisy Shah @ShahDaisy25
"The man is kind n has a golden heart n no 1 can change dat. The news r saddening. But I stand by @BeingSalmanKhan no matter what." [sic]

Varun Dhawan, who is considered as the next Salman Khan of the industry, tweeted in support of the actor.

Varun SURESH Dhawan @Varun_dvn
"My prayers are with @BeingSalmanKhan and his family who I know love this country and respect its judiciary."
Further adding, "I won't comment on the courts judgement. But salman Bhai has the biggest heart and is the most helpful person in this industry." [sic]

Bipasha Basu ‏@bipsluvurself
"@BeingSalmanKhan is the nicest human being in this business. Wish all our Prayers and love help him in this difficult time. Deeply saddened."

ੴ Dolly Bindra ੴ ‏@dollybindra "It is heart breaking to know that your son ur brother is not coming home #salmankhan my heart goes out for salman.." [sic]

Ashoke Pandit ‏@ashokepandit
"Wishing #SalimKhan sahab all the very best.You & your families good deeds will surely be heard by almighty.#SalmanVerdict" Further adding, "Wishing #SalimKhan sahab all the very best.You & your families good deeds will surely be heard by almighty.#SalmanVerdict."

Dia Mirza @deespeak
"My previous tweet was NOT a comment on the proceedings of the verdict. It was an emotional confession of a grateful friend. #SalmanKhan. He is the man that saved my Mothers life. That I will never forget. #SalmanKhan" [sic]

Sanjay Gupta @_SanjayGupta
"Anyways may God give strength & peace to both families & may there finally be closure."

"Yes the victims & their families suffered but it was an accident damn it. Salman & his family have also suffered. Its unfortunate for both."

"Today is a day that can go either ways for the Khan family so what is the harm in standing by them? Doesn't make you a loser."

"All you self righteous pricks, just because I empathize with Salman and his family who I know dearly doesn't mean I am against the victims."

"A silent prayer for Salman and his family. Only they know what they feel." [sic]

Alia Bhatt @aliaa08
It hurts when your own are punished, even if they are in the wrong. We love you and are standing by you

Farah Khan @TheFarahKhan "In Dubai.. But thoughts n prayers are still in Mumbai with @BeingSalmanKhan n his family.."

Prakash Raj ‏@prakashraaj
"#salman khan.Since I have met that harmless child n loads of goodness in him ..Wish n pray world considers that n pays him back for that too" [sic]

Sajid Khan @SimplySajidK
Support and prayers for @BeingSalmanKhan and the entire khan family...may god give them courage at this sad time...

Aftab Shivdasani @AftabShivdasani Have to respect the law of this country but my prayers and thoughts are with @BeingSalmanKhan and his family at this time..wish him strength

raghu ram ‏@tweetfromRaghu "Giving "exemplary" punishment to set an example for others is not fair on Salman. Whatever the sentence is, it has to be just #SalmanVerdict"

Rahul Mahajan ‏@TheRahulMahajan
"My heart goes out for @BeingSalmanKhan and family #SalmanVerdict" [sic]

Satish Kaushik posted, "All prayers for @BeingSalmanKhan ..May God give him happiness and joy all the way..Jai Mahasar Maa."

Neil Nitin Mukesh tweeted: "All me prayers with @BeingSalmanKhan bhai. One of the finest human beings I know. Pray!!!!!"

Pritish Nandy's tweet read, "I have known @BeingSalmanKhan for many years now, as a friend. May he have the fortitude to face his destiny today." [sic]

Disclaimer: All tweets have been sourced as is.