Shooter claims the firing was to send a message over Salman Khan’s past actions.
By Eastern EyeAug 07, 2024
ONE of the shooters involved in the April incident outside Bollywood superstar Salman Khan's Mumbai home has sought bail, claiming that financial debt and the "principles" of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi influenced his actions.
The accused, Vickykumar Gupta, asserted that Bishnoi was wrongfully implicated by the Mumbai police and had no role in the shooting, which was allegedly meant to scare Khan for his involvement in the blackbuck poaching case 26 years ago.
In the police chargesheet filed last month in a court here, Lawrence Bishnoi, his brother Anmol Bishnoi and key gang member Rohit Godhara were shown as ‘wanted accused’ in the case.
Two motorbike borne-individuals – Gupta and Sagar Pal – had opened fire outside Khan's Galaxy Apartment in the upscale Bandra on April 14 morning and fled, according to the police.
The duo was later arrested from Gujarat for the shooting, which the police said, was a handiwork of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang.
On Monday (5), Gupta, through his lawyers Amit Mishra, Sunil Mishra and Pankaj Ghildiyal, filed a bail application before a special court set up under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA Act).
Special judge BD Shelke sought a response from the prosecution and adjourned the matter for arguments on August 13.
The applicant (Gupta) was actually influenced by Lawrence Bishnoi's character from the electronic, print, social media and was "magnetically attached to the principles" followed by the jailed gangster who is an "ardent follower of (revolutionary) Bhagat Singh", said the bail plea.
Gupta stated that he hails from a poor background and lived in a remote village of Bihar and he was in debt, "which compelled the applicant to commit the crime".
As per the plea, the firing's objective was "to only give apprehension" to Khan with regards to the killing of two blackbucks, an animal worshiped by the Bishnoi community, in 1998 in Rajasthan as the actor did not apologize for his alleged act.
A court in Rajasthan had convicted Khan in the blackbuck poaching case, but he was later acquitted by the HC.
Gupta told the special court in Mumbai that Lawrence Bishnoi had no role to play in the firing episode. The accused claimed he neither received any call from Lawrence Bishnoi or any middle-man prodded him to talk to the gangster.
"Lawrence Bishoni is getting entangled by the prosecution for the reasons best known to them," the bail plea said.
Seeking for bail after being in jail for more than three months, Gupta argued he does not pose a threat to public safety. (PTI)
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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