A report stating that Salman Khan had committed suicide on wednesday spread like wildfire in India and abroad even as it amused the Bollywood star who was busy shooting in Chennai.

The report dated Nov 23 said he had killed himself by slashing his wrists at his Bandra residence and was taken to a hospital.

But the truth is Salman was shooting with Kareena Kapoor for Priyadarshan's new film Wednesday morning. He was on the set bright and early.

Kareena laughed her head off when asked about the "tragedy".

"What? Are you joking? Salman is sitting right here, having lunch with us right now, grinning from ear to ear? Of course, he is a brilliant actor and he could be a ghost pretending to be Salman!"

Anxious inquiries from friends, well-wishers and fans flooded the Khan residence here.

When a very close friend-filmmaker was asked of the news, he freaked out. "What? But I spoke to him yesterday! He was fine."

On a more serious note, how did this "news" get validated in the first place? It's true that Salman is known to be extremely volatile.

Last year during a world concert tour, he had apparently slashed his wrist in front of Sanjay Dutt when the latter had done a big-brotherly scolding act with the mercurial Salman.

But where did this sudden suicide report mushroom from when Salman wasn't even in Mumbai?

Also the report that he's been having problems with girlfriend Katrina Kaif is completely false.

Close friends say Salman has never been more at peace with himself, that Katrina quietens him down, makes him less volatile and violent, and less prone to drinking bouts.

Salman, in turn, is extremely caring about her. He has been personally talking to filmmakers to sign her for very prominent roles in huge projects.