While the recent developments surrounding Salman Khan and Lawrence Bishnoi have captured headlines, their connection dates back much further. Typically, the names of a Bollywood superstar and an infamous gangster wouldn’t be associated with one another, but their saga is a complex intertwining of the film industry and the underworld.
In 2023, Khan has faced a series of alarming threats, including an unprovoked shooting outside his Bandra home in April. These incidents have been linked, directly or indirectly, to the Bishnoi gang, heightening concerns not just for Khan but for those close to him. The fear surrounding the Khan family has intensified following the recent shooting of NCP leader Baba Siddique and threats directed at Salman’s father, Salim Khan, during his morning walks—although the latter turned out to be a prank. But what fuels Lawrence Bishnoi’s deep-seated animosity toward Salman Khan, a beloved figure to millions?
The roots of this feud trace back to 1998. In October of that year, while filming in Jodhpur, Salman and his crew were accused of shooting and killing two blackbucks in Kankani village. Eyewitness accounts, including one from Mahipal Bishnoi, a member of the Bishnoi community, reported gunshots during the early hours of October 1 and 2. Subsequent court proceedings implicated Salman, along with his co-stars Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, and Sonali Bendre, although only Salman received a five-year prison sentence, which has since been contested by his legal team. At the time of the incident, Lawrence Bishnoi was only five years old.
The Bishnoi community holds the blackbuck in high esteem, viewing it as a symbol of their beliefs rooted in wildlife preservation and reverence for nature. Killing these animals was seen as a grave violation of their principles, occurring on their ancestral land. This incident left a lasting impact on Lawrence Bishnoi, which came to light in 2018 when, during police custody, he vowed to end Salman Khan’s life in Jodhpur.
The situation escalated in 2022 when a threatening letter was discovered by Salim Khan, stating, “Tumhara Moose Wala kar denge” (you will end up like Moose Wala). Further threats followed, including an email in March 2023 promising harm to Salman and his family. A plan to assassinate Khan with AK-47 rifles near his Panvel farmhouse was thwarted by law enforcement just in time.
Lawrence Bishnoi had previously suggested that Khan could end the feud by visiting a Bishnoi temple and expressing repentance, but that offer now seems to have expired. Following a recent threat received by the Mumbai police on October 18, demanding ₹5 crores from Khan or facing dire consequences, the actor has reportedly ordered a bulletproof SUV—a Nissan Patrol, valued at ₹2 crores—from abroad to ensure his safety.