Bollywood in jitters as Rs 100 crore at stake on Salman

The one year jail term awarded to Bollywood star Salman Khan in a black buck poaching case on Friday sent ripples through the film industry, with trade pundits saying more than Rs 100 crore was at stake.

Salman is currently shooting for six films, including big budget banners such as Ravi Chopra's 'Babul', 'Jaaneman', 'Salaam-e-Ishq', and 'Marigold', which is an international venture.

Salman's possible arrest puts at risk not only the estimated Rs 75 crore invested in these films, but also another Rs 25 crore in advertisements and promotions that the actor is currently endorsing, trade analysts said.

The star is also shooting for his brother Sohail Khan's as yet untitled home production.

However, some trade industry sources expressed optimism. "Although there is a lot of money at stake, it seems most likely that Salman will go in appeal against the judgement and the matter will drag for years together. Therefore there is no immediate threat to these films," said Kumar Mohan, editor, Complete Cinema, a trade magazine.

Mohan said it was unlikely that Salman would be unpopular among filmmakers after the jail term, pointing out that he was a youth icon and one of the few stars in Bollywood whose films were assured of a good opening.

Another case involving Khan -- a hit and run incident in which one person was killed -- is expected to conclude soon in a Mumbai court.