MUMBAI, India (AP) — One of India's biggest and most popular movie stars, Salman Khan, has been found guilty of running over five men sleeping on a sidewalk, killing one in a hit-and-run case that has dragged through the courts for more than 12 years.

A Mumbai court on Wednesday convicted Khan of culpable homicide, saying all charges against him had been proved, Press Trust of India said.

Khan, who faces up to 10 years in prison, was expected to appeal. The court was expected to announce the sentence later Wednesday. The 49-year-old actor also faces charges of negligent driving and causing grievous harm to the victims.

The prosecution told the court that Khan was drunk when he rammed his SUV into a group of homeless people, sleeping on a sidewalk in September 2002.

Khan has all along denied that he was behind the wheel. In April, his driver told the court that he was driving the vehicle when the accident occurred. Ashok Singh said he lost control of the SUV when one its tires burst.

But Judge D.W. Deshpande dismissed the actor's claim and accused him of driving the car under the influence of alcohol, and fleeing after the accident.

Khan is one of Bollywood's most popular stars and has acted in more than 90 Hindi-language films in his 27-year career.

Huge crowds had gathered outside Khan's house in south Mumbai for a glimpse of the star as he emerged from his apartment block surrounded by security guards. Scores of television crews and reporters followed the actor's car and thronged the building as the court gave its verdict in a case that has been closely watched by millions of Khan's fans in India and abroad.

Khan began his career in 1988, playing the romantic action hero with many of his movies becoming box office hits. He is well known as a generous star, who in recent years has turned to philanthropy. He has established a charitable trust called "Being Human," which works in education and health care for the poor.

Bollywood filmmakers were worried about the court case as Khan has several films in the pipeline. Film industry analysts said Khan had projects worth 2.5 billion rupees ($40 million) riding on him.