Is Aishwarya Rai supporting or opposing Salman Khan's appointment?

Is Aishwarya Rai supporting or opposing Salman Khan's appointment?

Is Aishwarya Rai supporting Salman Khan's appointment as the goodwill ambassador for the Indian contingent to the 2016 Rio Olympics or isn't she?

Even as the media went to town proclaiming superstar Aishwarya Rai's support for her ex-flame, there is an online petition against the Bollywood star's appointment doing the rounds that has 'also' been started by Aishwarya Rai.

But relax! It's just one of those crazy coincidences since this Aishwarya Rai is not the 'REAL' one.

Bollywood superstars Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai at a Diwali celebration organised by the Bombay Police late October 2000. Pic/AFP

The petition on Change.org, titled 'Ban Salman Khan from being Good Will Ambassador 2016 Rio Olympics,' has received 414 supporters. Many may have even been directed to the petition due to curiosity since the petitioner is the former Miss World's namesake.

The petitioner claims that the move to appoint the 50-year-old star as the IOA ambassador is "regressive" and "reflects negatively on India".

She describes Salman Khan as a "serial Woman Hater/abuser", "an animal hunter" and "threat to endangered species","a threat to society and human life", who has "killed innocent people sleeping on the street.(sic)"

Check out the petition HERE

Meanwhile, the 'REAL' Aishwarya Rai Bachchan has came out in support of her former boyfriend and Bollywood star's appointment as goodwill ambassador of India's contingent for the upcoming Rio Olympics.

When asked about her views on the controversy, Aishwarya said, "I have to say that anyone, who is doing good to represent the country or working or speaking or standing for the betterment of art, music or sports, is wonderful and the person needs to be recognised."

Salman's selection had stirred up a controversy with many opposed to the move an some sports personalities, actors and politicians supporting the Indian Olympics Association's decision to appoint the popular movie star.

Interestingly, another of Salman's former lady loves -- actress Katrina Kaif, took a friendly jibe at him over the row, saying the superstar is not new to controversies.

From 'chinkara' poaching allegation in 1998 to 2002 hit-and-run case, Salman has had an unending tryst with controversies.

When asked about her take on the debate, Katrina quipped, "Salman Khan ko le kay controversy hai, woh naya cheez hai kya? (Is a controversy about Salman a new thing?)" Katrina, however, refused to comment further on the issue.