Fardeen Khan cocaine charges reduced

Fardeen Khan will be charged with buying cocaine rather than possession, meaning his punishment will be less severe.

In 2001, the actor was charged with possessing over two grams of cocaine, an offence which carries a maximum punishment of ten years in jail.

Speaking about the court's decision, Khan told NDTV: "I had the utmost confidence in our legal system and the verdict of the honourable court proves my faith right. My family and I have been through a lot in recent times. This reprieve in my case comes after ten years of tension."

Buying cocaine carries a maximum punishment of six months' imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs.10,000 (£131) - or both.

"It's a baby step... alright, a giant step in my court battle. But I am aware the fight is far from over. But the fact that I will now be tried for possessing only one gram of the drug goes a long way in giving me hope," the Jungle star said.

He explained that the case has been a cause of ongoing stress for his family.

"My wife was with me in my fight. And if today I've received such a major respite from our honourable court, then she is as happy as I am. But we both know the fight is not over yet," he added.

However, the 37-year-old actor is unhappy with some of the misinformation in the media about his case.

"Some sections of the media have written that the verdict on my case will be out on November 2. That's incorrect. The trial is yet to begin. It took ten years for the charges to be framed. I am hoping for a quick trial and verdict," Khan said.

Following the cocaine controversy and his father Feroz Khan's death, Fardeen's career and the family production house have come to a standstill.

"I needed to set our house in order," he explained. "I had many responsibilities to fulfill as a son and as a spouse. But now I think I am finally getting everything sorted out. You will hear a couple of film announcements soon - a remake of my dad's best-known film Qurbani being one of them."

The new Qurbani is expected to feature Fardeen in his father's role and Sanjay Dutt in the part played by Amjad Khan.