Salman Khan aur hamare maal ka kya connection?

Despite blog requests from Salman Khan, fans continue to buy fakes of Being Human T-shirts that are part of his designer line to raise funds for charity; clueless shopkeepersu00a0 don't know why the tees are so popular

As if rip-offs of Dior clutches, Versace tees and Zara dresses weren't enough, we now have a battalion of 'fake' tees that carry actor Salman Khan's charity, Being Human Foundation's cause emblazoned on them.At the music launch of his forthcoming film, Ready, on April 25, the actor spotted a few fans wearing the imitation tees, and was left peeved. In March last year, even before the official launch of his designer charity line, fake tees priced at Rs 150 had already flooded Janpath and Sarojini Nagar markets in New Delhi. In fact, the Being Human fan page on Facebook had put up a post requesting people not to buy fake tees.


Ook out for this tag to figure if it's an original. Pics/Dhara Vora

Khan had called those who sported fake tees as fake fans, with the foundation contemplating legal action against manufacturers of the 'pirated' T-shirts. A fortnight after the 'Ready' episode, Sunday MiD DAY took a tour of roadside stalls along Bandra's Linking Road, Fashion Street and Colaba Causeway to find most stalls selling the fakes for both men and women. Twenty four year-old Rinku Dubey, an assistant at a Fashion Street stall didn't quite understand what the fuss was about. "I have no idea why are these T-shirts are famous. There is a demand for them, and that's why we are selling them," he shrugged.


Fake 'Being Human' tees hang at a Colaba Causeway stall

The official retailer of the Being Human tees, Cotton World, isn't pleased with the news. Malvikau00a0 Kalyaniwala at the Colaba branch said, "They sell rip-offs right outside our store. We can't do much about it, though. While a part of the sales proceeds from the originals go to Salman Khan's foundation, those selling fakes pocket all the money. I haven't yet seen fakes of the Being Human watches, though." Rs 100 from every legal purchase goes to Khan's foundation that's involved with supporting education and healthcare. Cotton World has been retailing the tees for six months with prices ranging from Rs 450 to Rs 590. The range for men is priced at Rs 590 onwards. The fakes off the streets cost anywhere between Rs 150 to Rs 180.