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Salman Khan leaves the Sessions Court after the High Court granted him interim bail of two days in Mumbai. (AFP)
Even as preparations are on in Dubai for Salman Khan’s hot air balloon act, which will mark his dramatic entry at next week’s Bollywood awards show, the actor still awaits court permission to actually travel to the emirate.
The Bollywood superstar, who is currently out on bail after being convicted in 2002 hit-and-run case that resulted in the death of one person and left four injured, moved the Bombay High Court to seek permission to travel to Dubai for next week’s Arab Indo Bollywood Awards (AIBA).
A vacation bench of the High Court is likely to hear it next week.
Earlier this month, the actor was convicted by a sessions court in Mumbai over the charges of ‘culpable homicide not amounting to murder’ and sentenced to five years in jail.
On May 8, the High Court granted him bail and suspended his sentence pending an appeal against the conviction.
Out on bail, Khan now awaits approval to board a flight for Dubai for the May 29 awards show that will be held at the Meydan Racecourse.
AIBA organisers have confirmed the 49-year-old superstar will be attending the glittering event, along with performing on stage.
On Wednesday, AIBA organiser Benchmark Media’s Managing Director Habib Rahman revealed Khan’s entry via a hot air balloon on the awards night.
Rahman stated: “Salman’s entry will be the most anticipated one on the night, so we had to plan something big. So after much brainstorming, we hit upon the idea of having him land in a hot air balloon before he takes to the stage for his act. It will be the grand finale of the night, one that I am personally looking forward to witness.”
The event is put together by Benchmark in association with Al Bustan Group, which organisers say will draw over 150 Bollywood stars to Dubai.
In addition to Salman Khan, the event will be hosted by producer-director-actor Karan Johar and Manish Paul.
The four-hour show will also see performances by Priyanka Chopra, Jacqueline Fernandez, Varun Dhawan, Parineeti Chopra, Neha Dhupia, Kanika Kapoor, Meet brothers and more.
Khan has been making headlines after being sentenced to five years imprisonment by a Mumbai sessions court for driving his Toyota Landcruiser under the influence during the ill-fated crash where his car ran over people asleep on a pavement outside a bakery in suburban Bandra, Mumbai on September 28, 2002.
The swift suspension and corresponding bail has led to rejoicing amongst family, friends and fans of Khan, yet drawn criticism of ‘favoritism’ of India’s judicial system for people with power.
The superstar was in Kashmir valley earlier this week, wrapping up the shoot for Kabir Khan’s ‘Bajrangi Bhaijaan’, which is set for an Eid release.
The actor is also expected to fly to Mandi, Himachal Pradesh over the weekend to attend his sister Arpita Khan’s and Aayush Sharma’s reception, which had been postponed following their November 18 wedding.
While Bollywood fans of the actor await the court decision that will determine Khan’s ability to attend the awards ceremony in Dubai, organisers are expecting a sell-out crowd for next Friday’s event.
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