by Entertainment Desk, New Delhi In the annals of Bollywood history, certain incidents etch themselves into the collective memory, leaving behind a trail of controversy and intrigue. One such saga unfolded in 1998 when the Black Buck poaching case rocked the industry, ensnaring luminaries like Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Tabu, and Neelam Kothari. A tumultuous legal battle ensued, tarnishing reputations and captivating media attention for years.
Amidst the storm of allegations and courtroom drama, one voice has recently emerged to shed light on the untold facets of this saga. Actor Mahesh Thakur, known for his roles in numerous Bollywood productions, including the iconic ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, has stepped forward to unveil a long-held secret, buried for 26 years.
In a candid interview with Siddharth Kannan, Mahesh Thakur peeled back the layers of the past, recounting the events that transpired during the filming of ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ in Rajasthan. “We were shooting for a song,” he reminisced, “when suddenly, the police arrived on the set and took all five of us to the police station.”
As the dust settled and allegations flew, Mahesh found himself at the centre of a maelstrom, witnessing firsthand the fallout of a controversy that would reverberate through the corridors of power and the echelons of fame. “Neither I, Mohnish Behl, nor Karisma Kapoor were involved,” he clarified. “Only these five people were. What we saw and experienced was not at all pleasant.”
Yet, amidst the turmoil, one man stood resilient—Salman Khan. Despite facing the brunt of the allegations, Salman remained stoic, spending a night in custody alongside unwavering support from his family. “Salman Khan was fine the next day,” Mahesh affirmed. He is a good person; he was fine—even Saif.”
However, beyond the courtroom theatrics and media frenzy, Mahesh Thakur laments the toll it took on those ensnared in the legal quagmire. “No charges were proven,” he lamented, “yet the media sensationalized the case.” Reflecting on the aftermath, Mahesh elucidated how the controversy disrupted the very fabric of their craft. “After this controversy, shooting in Jodhpur was cancelled,” he revealed. “Everyone returned to Mumbai, and the atmosphere hadn’t changed when we gathered again for reshooting.”
As the dust settled and life returned to a semblance of normalcy, Mahesh Thakur’s revelations offer a poignant reminder of the tumultuous journey traversed by Bollywood’s denizens. Through the lens of hindsight, we are afforded a glimpse into the human drama that unfolds behind the glitz and glamour of the silver screen. As the echoes of the past reverberate into the present, one can’t help but ponder the enduring legacy of the Black Buck poaching controversy and its indelible mark on the fabric of Indian cinema.
