Sooraj Pancholi has recently spoken out about the lack of support he received from Bollywood during his lengthy legal battle following the death of actress Jiah Khan in 2013. Pancholi was accused of abetment to suicide, a charge he consistently denied, and was finally acquitted by a CBI court in 2023 due to lack of evidence.
The actor, who made his debut with the Salman Khan-backed film "Hero," has expressed his disappointment with the industry's silence during what he describes as an incredibly challenging period in his life. He emphasized that while he was grateful for the support he did receive from certain individuals, the wider Bollywood community remained largely indifferent to his plight.
Pancholi stated that the media also did not support him during the trial. He believes that the lack of support stemmed from the fact that his acquittal didn't provide the sensationalism that the media was looking for. He feels his mistake was not speaking up for himself, but was advised not to.
Despite the lack of widespread support, Pancholi has acknowledged the unwavering support he received from Salman Khan. According to Pancholi, Khan only asked him if he had done something wrong, and upon receiving his denial, trusted him and never questioned him again. Pancholi believes that Khan's own experience with media trials allowed him to be a good judge of character and offer crucial support during this difficult time.
The Jiah Khan case has cast a long shadow over Sooraj Pancholi's life and career. The legal proceedings, which spanned several years, significantly impacted his professional opportunities and personal life. He has spoken about how the controversy cost him his twenties, a time he missed out on valuable personal time and the freedom to live without constant judgement. Although he received film offers, they weren’t the kind of roles he aspired to do, emphasizing that public perception greatly impacted his opportunities.
Looking ahead, Sooraj Pancholi is focused on rebuilding his career and moving forward with a positive outlook. He was recently seen in "Kesari Veer" alongside Suniel Shetty, and he expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return to the screen. He also shared that he has forgiven his father, Aditya Pancholi, despite disagreeing with how he handled certain things, and that the ordeal has brought him and his family closer.
When asked about the future and the possibility of the CBI reopening the case, Pancholi stated, "If the CBI calls...". This implies a willingness to cooperate fully with any future investigations while maintaining his innocence and his belief that the truth will ultimately prevail. He says he has a clean heart, and those who know him know that he does. He also maintains a good support system with his sister and mother, who have kept him motivated.
