Bollywood actor Sohail Khan recently found himself in hot water and no, it wasn’t about a film flop. A video of him riding his bike in Mumbai without a helmet went viral online sparking wave of criticism. Social media users called him careless, irresponsible pointing out that traffic rules are not optional, even for stars.
Sohail Khan speaks out on not wearing a helmet
After facing backlash, Sohail took to Instagram to explain his side. In a post, he admitted that he sometimes avoids helmets because of claustrophobia but stressed that it’s no excuse for breaking rules.
“I would like to request all the bike riders please wear helmets. I avoid wearing them at times as I feel claustrophobic, but that’s no excuse,” he wrote.
He also shared some personal insight into his love for riding. “Riding has always been my passion since childhood. It started with BMX cycles, and now it’s bikes. I mostly ride late at night when traffic is light, at a slow pace, with my car following me,” he added.
Also Read: Dileep film screening on KSRTC bus faces protest by passengers over 2017 assault case
Sohail promised to make a genuine effort to overcome his claustrophobia and always wear a helmet going forward. He concluded his apology with, “My sincere apologies to the traffic authorities. I assure them that I will follow all the rules henceforth. It is better to be safe than sorry. Once again, I am really sorry.”
Alongside his post, the actor shared the video that started it all, showing him riding helmet-free, but now with the awareness that safety comes first.
On the work front
For those who know Sohail mainly through his films, here’s a quick trip down memory lane. Sohail began his Bollywood journey behind the camera, directing his brothers Salman and Arbaaz Khan in hits like ‘Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya’ (1998) and ‘Hello Brother’ (1999).
In 2002, he made his acting debut with ‘Maine Dil Tujhko Diya’, a project he also wrote, produced, and directed. He found box office success with ‘Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?’ (2005) and later appeared in Salman-starrer ‘Dabangg 3’.