Did you think I was going to jail forever? says Salman Khan at Race 3 trailer launch

Actor-producer Salman Khan looked relaxed at the trailer launch of Race 3 yesterday (15 May). Usually, he does not entertain questions on his court cases, but yesterday was different. 

Race 3 trailer: Vintage Salman Khan, guns, family feud, punchy dialogues part of action promise

The actor was recently convicted in a 1998 poaching case for illegally hunting a blackbuck, an antelope that is on the endangered species list and is protected by law, and sentenced to serve five years in prison.

Khan is currently out on bail after spending only a couple of nights in jail.

During the media interaction at the trailer launch, one journalist asked if the conviction had put any pressure on him on account of the money invested in his upcoming films.

Before he could complete his question, the moderator of the session tried to quiet the reporter down, reminding him that Khan's court cases and the Karnataka election results would not be discussed at the event.

However, Khan himself was in a mood to respond. “Did you think I was going to go in forever?” he asked the reporter, who replied in the negative.

Khan thanked him and said, “I was not worried.”

While Khan thus brushed the question aside in a couple of lines, Tweeple were unhappy with his attitude. Here are some tweets condemning Khan for his reaction.

Another user criticized the Hindi film superstar for his 'arrogant response'.

The court case aside, Khan was also asked for his thoughts on the rising number of sexual crimes in the country, particularly against children.

“What is happening is very bad," he replied. "I think all of us should come together and take a stand, ensure that such things are stopped ASAP!”

The actor also spoke about his initial hesitation in agreeing to act in Race 3.

"I had heard the script two years ago. It went over my head like a bouncer," he joked. "Ramesh Taurani [the film's producer] kept urging me to listen to it again. I heard it again... then... otherwise it is a different genre for me to do.

"I just needed a few changes. I didn’t know where I would fit in. Rameshji and Shirazbhai [the film's writer Shiraz Ahmed] reworked the script. It is then that I realized that this is actually a fun film. We had a great time shooting it.”

Race 3 is set to be released on 15 June. Click here to let us know your prediction for the film's box-office performance.