Puneet Issar Recalls Salman Khan's Struggles During Hit-And-Run Trial: ‘He Was Disturbed But...'
Director Puneet Issar opens up about Salman Khan's emotional struggle while filming Garv amid the 2002 hit-and-run case.
Actor-director Puneet Issar has reflected on a turbulent chapter in Salman Khan's life — a time when the actor was caught in the eye of a legal storm following the 2002 hit-and-run case — and how he remained professionally committed during the filming of Garv: Pride & Honour (2004). In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Issar opened up about Salman's mindset during that difficult time and the role his family, especially father Salim Khan, played in guiding him.
'Obviously, the man was disturbed," Puneet said, recalling Salman's emotional state. 'Ultimately, his family members decided that he should start work and concentrate on it."
Issar revealed that Salman's father, screenwriter Salim Khan, made it clear that work would be a stabilizing force for the actor. 'Salim sahab maintained that during that phase of Salman's life, he should just work. Salim sahab told me to tell Salman to stay busy at work, and this was a collective decision taken by his family. It was the right decision and that's what he did," Puneet added.
Despite the ongoing court case, intense media glare, and public scrutiny, Salman did not allow the turmoil to derail his professional commitments. Puneet, who directed Garv, noted that Salman showed remarkable resilience and continued to deliver on set.
'His morale was very good on set. He is a professional. He has a comfort zone, he works in that, he would come, work out and shoot," Puneet said.
The Garv shoot coincided with one of the most trying times in Salman's life. In 2002, the actor was accused of driving his Toyota Land Cruiser over a group of people sleeping on a footpath in Mumbai's Bandra area, killing one and injuring others. It was also alleged that he was intoxicated at the time. In 2015, the Bombay High Court acquitted Salman of all charges, ruling that the prosecution had failed to prove its case. Justice A.R. Joshi said there was not enough evidence to prove Salman was inebriated or driving the vehicle.
First Published:
July 03, 2025, 16:13 IST
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