Salman Khan, the popular Indian actor lost the appeal against his conviction for killing a gazelle protected by law in 1998 and faces a five-year term in prison.

He was sentenced on April 10, 2006 to five years of rigorous imprisonment for hunting an endangered species, the chinkara and spent three days in the Jodhpur prison before being released on bail.

On Friday, a court upheld the previous sentence despite Khan’s appeal. The 41-year-old actor wasn’t present at the hearing and was summoned to turn himself in. His lawyers said they will “certainly file a review petition in high court as soon as possible.”

Khan and several other persons allegedly shot the gazelle during a hunting trip in India’s largest state Rajasthan on September 28, 1998 while he was filming a movie in the region.

Khan is considered to be one of the biggest superstars and leading actors in India, with acclaimed performances in dozens of Bollywood movies. But numerous controversies surround the actor, especially for his tumultuous life.

Several years ago, he had to face another trial for drunken driving and culpable homicide. A person was killed after Khan’s car jumped on the sidewalk in Mumbai and hit him while sleeping, but the charges were later dropped.

Friday’s ruling will also affect the industry, the renown actor being involved in several projects at the moment and it seems their success is tied to Khan’s presence.

Another Bollywood actor, Sanjay Dutt was sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment on 31 July 2007 for possessing an illegal weapon. He was then released from the high-security Yerwada Jail by the Supreme Court until he receives a copy of his judgment.