MUMBAI: Chastened Bollywood superstar Salman Khan said he would never forget his three days in an Indian prison after being freed on bail to fight a five-year jail term for poaching.

Khan was greeted by jubilant supporters at his Mumbai home following his release from Jodhpur prison where he was held after being found guilty of shooting an endangered gazelle during a 1988 hunting trip.

“I will never forget these three days in my entire life,” he told reporters. “Whatever has to happen will happen,” he said, adding: “The five-year sentence is something I will not be able to take.”

Khan, one of India’s most famous actors, was forced to sleep on the floor and had a convicted murderer serving a life term as a cellmate, reports said.

His cellmate — who had reportedly earned the nickname ‘Hero’ for his brief friendship with the actor — carried Khan’s bags to the jail door and broke into tears when he left.

Khan, 40, who needs the court’s permission to travel overseas, said he hoped to join a “world tour” of stars from India’s film industry due to begin performances in the US this month.

What his friends had to say

MUMBAI: No sooner did Salman Khan get bail, than his brother Sohail Khan conveyed the good news to their mother: “Mama, your son is coming home... Yes, he’s free again.”

By late afternoon the news that the megastar was out of jail spread like wildfire.

Actress Priyanka Chopra was one of the first to hear the good news. “I am so, so, so happy for Salman. He is such a wonderful human being. Not just Salman, everyone in his family is a gem. And they don’t deserve this kind of stress.”

Bunty Walia, producer and events organiser, feels Salman is being victimised by the press. “I think Salman getting into trouble has got to do with his hot-blooded adrenaline-charged nature. Sometimes he doesn’t know the repercussions of his action. Salman is everyone’s favourite punching bag. He’s not the media’s favourite. He sometimes rubs media persons the wrong way. So they don’t think very kindly of him.”

Sanjay Leela Bhansali said, “I have a feeling all the good deeds that he has done in his life will rescue him from the current distress. Salman is a really beautiful person. I vouch for his goodness. Because he’s a good man he always comes out of his troubles.”

Director David Dhawan was forced to postpone the Canada schedule of his film Partner, David isn’t really bothered about it and says he is only thinking of Salman’s welfare.

“We often wonder why this happens to Salman. He is such a loving and giving person...This man thinks with his heart. That’s why we all love him... Why does the media only play up his enfant terrible image?

He not only gives generously, he motivates his close friends to do be generous and giving... Why does god do this to him? We all want Salman’s troubles to end.” — HNS