Salman Khan landed himself in a controversy for his remark that he felt like a "raped woman" after one gruelling shoot for his upcoming "Sultan" film, sparking demands today for an apology from the Bollywood star.
The National Commission for Women(NCW) took suo motu cognisance of the "insensitive" remark by the 50-year-old superstar and shot off a letter to him asking for his explanation in seven days failing which he will be summoned.
Women activists also staged protests outside Salman's Bandra residence in Mumbai.
As political parties, social media users and the NCW pressed for an apology from the actor, Salman's scriptwriter- father Salim Khan apologised on behalf of his son, admitting that his comments were "wrong".
Khan, who underwent rigorous training for the wrestling film, was heard saying during his group interview with journalists that after shooting one particular scene he used to feel like a "raped woman". The film is due for release on July 6.
"While shooting, during those six hours, there'd be so much of lifting and thrusting on the ground involved. That was tough for me because if I was lifting, I'd have to lift the same 120-kilo guy 10 times for 10 different angles. And likewise, get thrown that many times on the ground.
"This act is not repeated that many times in the real fights in the ring. When I used to walk out of the ring, after the shoot, I used to feel like a raped woman walking out..."
Salman hastened to add, "I don't think I should have...", suggesting he should not have made such a comparison.
Reacting on his son's behalf, Salim said, "Undoubtedly what Salman said is wrong, the simili (sic), example and the context. The intention was not wrong.
"Nevertheless I apologise on behalf of his family, his fans & friends. Forgiveness is to pardon the unpardonable or it is no virtue at all. To err is human, to forgive divine.
Today on Intl Yoga Day, lets not run our shops on this mistake."
Another person to come out in Salman's defence was his "Yuvraaj" director Subhash Ghai, who claimed the actor's comments were misrepresented.
Though Salman made the comments in English, Ghai also claimed it was a "mistranslation". Ghai also blamed it on the actor's "poor English" and said he was "just a child".
"It is very disgusting translation by someone. He just said one thing that it is a human agony he went through. The deepest human agony is when a woman is raped. He was talking about a metaphor.
"He is just a child and I know he respects women like anything."