In a recent interview, Zarina Wahab, mother of actor Sooraj Pancholi, has shed new light on the events leading up to the tragic death of actress Jiah Khan in 2013. Wahab revealed that Sooraj and Jiah had broken up approximately a month before Jiah's death.
According to Wahab, the decision to end the relationship came after Sooraj conveyed to Jiah that both of their families were against their relationship. Wahab stated that she had advised Sooraj to focus on his then-upcoming Bollywood launch, which was being supported by Salman Khan. She said she told Sooraj to end things with Jiah. Sooraj then told Jiah that their parents did not want them to meet and suggested they break up. Jiah reportedly asked if she could still meet him occasionally, to which Sooraj replied that she could meet him as a friend, but not as a girlfriend.
Wahab also disclosed that Jiah was facing professional disappointments at the time. She had been in consideration for a Telugu film, and was even meant to travel to South India for it around the same time in June. However, she was ultimately rejected for the role, which reportedly left her "very depressed". Zarina mentioned that the role Jiah Khan was supposed to play was later given to Rakul Preet Singh. She said that Sooraj had even sent Jiah flowers to cheer her up after the rejection.
On the day of her death, Jiah Khan tried to contact Sooraj Pancholi, but he was attending acting classes related to a shoot and could not answer her calls. Later, he texted her saying he was free to talk, but by then, it was too late.
Jiah Khan, known for her roles in films like "Nishabd" and "Ghajini," was found dead in her Mumbai apartment on June 3, 2013. Following her death, a letter was found, and Sooraj Pancholi was accused of abetment to suicide. The case garnered significant media attention and a prolonged legal battle ensued. After ten years, in 2023, Sooraj was acquitted by a CBI special court due to a lack of evidence.
Zarina Wahab has consistently maintained her son's innocence, asserting that he has been unfairly blamed for Jiah's death. She emphasized the emotional distress Sooraj and their family have endured over the past decade. With Sooraj now acquitted, Wahab expressed relief and a desire for her family to return to a normal life. Sooraj Pancholi is now looking to restart his career and is preparing for his new film, "Kesari Veer."
