Salman Khan is a youth icon, Milkha never won Olympic medal: Raza Murad

Raza Murad defended Salman Khan on Rio Olympic row and said he is a youth icon and will inspire many youngsters to get into sports. He also attacked Milkha Singh.

Salman Khan, who is embroiled in a controversy ever since he was named as the brand ambassador of the Indian contingent for the 2016 Summer Olympic to be held in Rio de Janeiro, received the support of Bollywood veteran Raza Murad on Tuesday. Murad said Salman is a youth icon and will inspire many youngsters to get into sports.

Bollywood actor Salman Khan was announced as Goodwill Ambassador of Indian contingent for Rio Olympics 2016, in New Delhi on Saturday. (PTI)

“Salman is a citizen of this country. He is a superstar. Nothing will affect him even if he is not selected as the brand ambassador. He is a youth icon. Salman’s selection as the brand ambassador will inspire many young people to get into sports,” Murad said.

Read: B-Town divided on Sallu’s selection as ambassador for Rio Olympics

Raza Murad defended Salman Khan’s appointment as the goodwill ambassador of Indian contingent for Rio Olympics 2016.

“There are some people, who just know how to criticise,” he added while downplaying the views put forth by some sportspersons.

Criticizing Milkha Singh for opposing the 50-year-old actor’s selection as the brand ambassador, Murad said that the legendary athlete should be thankful to the film industry, which has made him popular yet again through the movie, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag.

“With due respect to Milkha Singh and his words, he has not won a single medal in Olympics. If anyone is really worthy of being a brand ambassador after Salman is Abhinav Bindra. He is happy about Salman’s selection,” said Murad.

“Milkha Singh should not forget that the people had forgotten him till the movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag was made. So, it is due to this film industry that you have again become popular,” he added.

Salman’s father and veteran writer Salim Khan too lashed out at Milkha Singh in a series of tweets last night, saying the Dabangg actor is an A-level swimmer, cyclist and weight-lifter.

“Salman may not have competed but is an A list swimmer, cyclist and weight lifter. Sportsmen are performing because of sports lovers like us,” he tweeted.

“It’s not Bollywood industry but the Indian film industry which is the largest in the world,” he said in a series of tweets.