This photo of Indian actor Salman Khan has been doctored to ‘show tribute’ to late Bangladeshi actor

"Humble Tribute Hero Salman Shah. Look how international celbs treat Salman Shah ....!!!!!!!" reads a Facebook post from September 11.

The image purportedly shows Bollywood superstar Salman Khan holding a framed sketch of late Bangladeshi actor Salman Shah, who died in 1996.

Image

The same image was shared in similar Facebook posts here and here.

However, the claim is false. A picture of Shah has been digitally inserted into the original photo, which shows Khan holding a sketch of himself and his mother. 

A reverse image search on Google found the original photo posted on Instagram on December 4, 2017 by Pameli Kayal, who describes herself as an artist and an architect.

Kayal thanked the Bollywood actor in the caption while tagging his official Instagram account. It reads, "Thank you @beingsalmankhan. New client : salman khan".

Image

Comparison between the photo shared in the misleading Facebook post (left) and in Pameli Kayal’s Instagram post (right)

Kayal did not immediately respond to AFP when contacted on September 15.

However, on September 16, she posted the sketch again on her Instagram account along with a close-up of the illustration and two photos of her interaction with Salman Khan, with a caption "Original will always be original Past has no grudges future is only possibilities' under the hashtag "#candidmemories".

The signature on the sketch seen in the close-up photo corresponds with Kayal's signature on her previous artwork as seen in the screenshot comparison below:

Image

Multiple keyword searches have found no reports of Salman Khan paying public tribute to Salman Shah.