Hrithik's retort to Salman

Salman Khan’s acerbic comments on Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Guzaarish have stirred a hornet’s nest. While Bhansali, stung by his one-time friend’s words, has retired hurt, shutting himself off, Guzaarish hero Hrithik Roshan is fuming.

As reported by us on Thursday, Salman had at an awards function to felicitate the handicapped accused Bhansali of exploiting the physically challenged for his art, and trashed Guzaarish for its poor box office collections.

“If such an old and trusted friend can be so insensitive I don’t want anything to do with the entertainment industry,” Bhansali told us before begging off from commenting further on the matter.

But his lead actor Hrithik Roshan has been irked enough to connect with us. “I’ve always known Salman to be a good man, someone I’ve looked up to and admired and still do. He’s always been a hero and always will be.

But yes, it’s not heroic to laugh or make fun of a filmmaker just because his box office collections are not up there with yours. Guzaarish is a super success in its own way. And I will be hurt if anyone talks like this about Mr Bhansali. In my opinion a hero never gloats. When you are super successful, it should in fact make you more gracious and loving.

This is the time one should use to turn even enemies into friends...just give love, not laugh at others. By the time I finish this sentence, I have already forgiven his words, because I know deep inside he only has love for me and this must have been just a momentary lapse of judgement. Will expect a big hug the next time I meet him,” said Hrithik.

To err is human, to forgive divine. Bhansali’s coterie is not in such a forgiving mode though. Says an irate friend, “What gives Salman the right to decide whether SLB donates to charity or not? Some people like to make a song and dance about their philanthropy. Others do it quietly. Again, Sanjay feels it’s about choices.

The films Salman does and the way he projects his charitable causes are as much his prerogative as Sanjay’s approach to cinema and charity. Why comment on another person’s attitude to life?”

Bhansali’s friend recalls, “During Khamoshi Sanjay and Salman were involved with the disabled. Sanjay still remembers when he sent a teacher to teach Salman sign language for Khamoshi and the first thing Salman asked her was how to say ‘f#*k’ in sign language. The mortified girl had fled from the scene. That’s the bratty side of Salman which seems to have now gone out of hand.”

Says SLB’s close friend, “Sanjay has no intention of reviving Bajirao Mastani at this point of time. Salman must have felt that Sanjay wants to work with the Dabangg hero post the lukewarm response to Guzaarish. But Sanjay has no intention of working with Salman. Not now. Not in the future. Their friendship has just been put to rest.”