Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma recently took to social media to express his thoughts on the ongoing controversy between Lawrence Bishnoi and Salman Khan, a dispute rooted in the infamous 1998 Blackbuck poaching case. In a tweet that captured widespread attention, Varma pointed out that Bishnoi, who is currently 31 years old, was only five at the time when Salman Khan was embroiled in the blackbuck case, calling it a testament to the deep-rooted feelings harbored by Bishnoi and his community.
LAWRENCE BISHNOI was just a 5 YEAR OLD KID when the deer was killed in 1998 and Bishnoi maintained his grudge for 25 years and now at age 30 he says that his LIFES GOAL is to kill SALMAN to take REVENGE for KILLING that DEER .. Is this ANIMAL love at its PEAK or GOD playing a https://t.co/KGiOSojxfT Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) October 14, 2024
The blackbuck case, which occurred during the filming of Sooraj Barjatya’s family drama Hum Saath-Saath Hain in Rajasthan, has continued to haunt Salman Khan’s life and career for over two decades. Salman Khan’s alleged involvement in the illegal poaching of the protected animal brought him into direct conflict with the Bishnoi community, which reveres the blackbuck as sacred. While Salman Khan has faced legal battles over the years, the situation took a darker turn when Lawrence Bishnoi, a member of the community, reportedly made death threats against the Bollywood actor.
RGV, known for his often controversial and unfiltered opinions, pointed out the irony of the situation, remarking that Bishnoi’s animosity towards Salman Khan has spanned over two decades, despite him being a mere child at the time of the original incident. “LAWRENCE BISHNOI was just a 5-YEAR-OLD KID when the deer was killed in 1998, and Bishnoi maintained his grudge for 25 years. And now at age 30, he says that his LIFE’S GOAL is to kill SALMAN to take REVENGE for KILLING that DEER. Is this ANIMAL love at its PEAK or GOD playing a WEIRD JOKE?” Varma wrote on his social media handle, underscoring the absurdity of the prolonged vendetta.
The Bishnoi community has long been known for their fierce commitment to wildlife preservation, and the killing of the blackbuck remains a particularly sensitive issue. For Lawrence Bishnoi, this incident has turned into a lifelong mission to seek revenge against Salman Khan. Over the years, Bishnoi’s hatred for the actor has only deepened, culminating in threats and alleged orchestrations of violence against those associated with Khan.
Lawrence Bishnoi, also known by his alias Balkaran Barar, first made headlines when his animosity against Khan became public knowledge during a court appearance in Jodhpur in 2018. During the hearing, Bishnoi declared, “We will kill Salman Khan. Everyone will know once we take action.” This bold statement put him in the public eye as a dangerous figure with a vendetta against one of Bollywood’s biggest stars.
Since then, Bishnoi has been linked to several high-profile crimes, including the orchestrated murders of notable figures such as Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala in 2022 and Karni Sena chief Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi in 2023. Despite being imprisoned, Bishnoi has managed to maintain a stronghold on his criminal operations, reportedly overseeing violent attacks and threats from behind bars. His influence extends internationally, with reports of shootings outside the residences of popular singers AP Dhillon and Gippy Grewal in Canada.
The most recent development in the Bishnoi-Khan saga involves the gunning down of Maharashtra minister and NCP leader Baba Siddique, a figure known to be close to Salman Khan. The murder, which took place in Mumbai, was allegedly ordered by Bishnoi, with police suspecting that the hit was a direct result of Siddique’s association with Khan. Investigations into the incident have revealed that the orders were issued through a Facebook post by Shubuu Lonkar, a close aide of Bishnoi’s gang. The post ominously warned, “Jo Salman Khan aur Dawood gang ki help karega apna hisab-kitab le ke rakhna” (Whoever helps Salman Khan and the Dawood Ibrahim gang, keep your accounts in order).
Bishnoi’s ability to continue executing such violent acts from within prison has alarmed authorities, as his network of loyal aides remains active, particularly within his gang. This has raised significant concerns about the extent of his reach and the ongoing danger posed to individuals associated with Khan.
Ram Gopal Varma’s commentary on the situation has stirred conversations, with his focus on the absurdity of Bishnoi’s long-held grudge against Khan. In his typical provocative style, Varma emphasized how a seemingly trivial incident has led to decades of animosity and violence. “God playing a weird joke,” as Varma termed it, raises questions about the irrational lengths to which certain beliefs and emotions can be carried.
In Varma’s view, the blackbuck incident has transcended its original legal and moral implications, becoming a symbol of obsessive “animal love.” This case, he argues, is no longer just about seeking justice for an endangered species but has morphed into a personal vendetta. Bishnoi’s fixation on avenging the death of the blackbuck, even 25 years after the fact, showcases the deep emotional and cultural connection between the Bishnoi community and the animal.
As for Salman Khan, the actor has continued with his professional commitments despite the ongoing threats. Currently busy with the shooting of Bigg Boss season 18 and his next film Sikandar, Khan has not publicly responded to Bishnoi’s latest actions. However, it is evident that the shadow of the blackbuck case still looms large over his career and life.
Ram Gopal Varma’s recent Telugu film Vyuham was released earlier this year, but it is his commentary on current events, such as the Bishnoi-Salman saga, that continues to keep him relevant in the public eye. As the feud between Bishnoi and Khan shows no signs of dissipating, the Indian public remains intrigued by the twists and turns in this long-standing drama. Whether Bishnoi will ultimately act on his threats remains to be seen, but for now, the narrative of revenge continues to unfold in unexpected ways.
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