Le enfant terrible?

Bollywood's bad boy has done it again this time. Well, nobody else can blurt out politically incorrect statements, beat up a photo-journalist for lack of professional ethics, or oppose the religious fatwas, if it is not for a Dabangg Salman Khan. He has been a man of controversy and continues to be.

The much-loved actor in a recent incident was reproached on national television for saying inappropriate things about 26/11 to a Pakistani television channel. This is not the first time that the actor has been misinterpreted.

But this time, the actor touched a hot potato. A serious Salman had said in the interview that "26/11 is hyped too much for elite people were targeted in the attack".

The said equation has not as much to do withu00a0u00a0 being right or wrong, as it has with perception.

It should be a secondary concern who says what until the right causes are addressed at the right time

When all the other so-called holy-image actors of B-town are busy creating a safe periphery before the crowd, this Khan is not a party to it.

Almost everyone in the country accusing the actor of being irresponsible in making such a statement knows that the incident has nothing to do with the country's honour.

Mumbai was on a burning siege on the day of November 26, a situation of complete confusion, chaos and constant fear.

People were dead, injured and bruised for the rest of their lives for apparently no cause. A terror attack is not an event or a random occurrence, it is everybody's problem.

Elite or poor is not the debate. It's about people. It is rather true that our security systems are and must have been flawed at some level.

If a Salman Khan says the same publicly, why does it have to be such a big deal? Nobody has reason enough to be offended at the statement, neither the hyperactive news channels nor the relaxed politicians.

It should be a secondary concern who says what until the right causes are addressed at the right time. Whatever Salman Khan says in the public domain, it cannot be a bigger issue than 26/11 itself.

The country and the media have bigger and better issues still to be given their time and attention that they have bestowed this non-event.

As for the actor, he might have made a formal apology for having chosen the wrong words. His inarticulate assertion has brought to light the very hypocritical nature of our people.

Vatsala Shrangi is Sub-Editor, MiD DAY, Delhi