Indian actor Salman Khan, 49, one of Bollywood's biggest stars has been found guilty of culpable homicide and was given prison sentence for killing a homeless man in a hit-and-run incident in 2002.

The Bollywood actor, who received a five-year prison sentence, had ran over five people who were sleeping outside a bakery and killed one. According to the Mumbai courtroom Judge D.W. Deshpande, Salman Khan was driving without a license and was under the influence of alcohol when the incident happened.

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When the verdict stipulating the prison sentence was read, the Bollywood actor reportedly wept. 

In the closing argument of one of Salman Khan's his lawyers, he said that it was possible that Khan's car was dropped by the crane (which was brought by the police) while people were underneath the car after the accident occurred. This could probably have been the reason why one victim was killed, leading to the prison sentence for the Bollywood megastar.

In 2003, Salman Khan was tried for "rash and negligent driving" but the case had been pending for 10 years when a key witness died. Only one out of 39 witnesses appeared to give testimony. A retrial was set for 2013.

Khan, who has twice the number of Twitter followers than Tom Cruise, is often referred to as "the boss of Bollywood." He has appeared in more than 80 films and a source estimated two years ago, the screen idol had grossed US$330 million from his movie career.

Khan's fans love it when he removes his shirt and flaunts his abs --- which is what he does at least once in all his movies. In 2010, People Magazine declared him as the "sexiest man alive" in India.

According to some reports, if the Bollywood actor's prison sentence were to be implemented today, more than US$30 million of planned projects would be at risk.

A source however said that Salman Khan's prison sentence will not be enacted immediately as he can reportedly make an appeal to a higher court and the proceedings would take some time. 

Tagsprison sentence, Bollywood, hit and run, Salman Khan, Salman Khan actor