Faissal Khan, brother of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, recently drew parallels between his own life and the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer "Animal," directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Faissal, who has been open about his strained relationship with his family, particularly Aamir, lauded Vanga for his accurate portrayal of complex family dynamics in the film.
During a recent press conference, Faissal stated, "I salute Sandeep Reddy Vanga for showing today's relationships so accurately". He specifically related to the depiction of the elder sister and brother-in-law in "Animal," noting that he experienced something similar with his own sister and brother-in-law. He found the portrayal very real and encouraged those who haven't seen the film to watch it.
Faissal's remarks come amidst ongoing disputes with his brother Aamir and other family members. He has previously accused Aamir and other family members of holding him against his will, administering forced medication, and misrepresenting him as mentally unstable. These are claims the family has consistently denied.
In a recent development, Faissal announced via public notice that he was cutting off all familial and estate ties. In a statement to Bollywood Bubble, Faissal revealed his decision to sever ties with his family and refuse any further monthly allowance from Aamir. He stated he would no longer be considered part of his late father, Tahir Hussain's, or his mother, Zeenat Tahir Hussain's family. He also declared he would not reside in Aamir's house or claim any monthly maintenance from him. He also plans to take legal action.
Aamir Khan and his family issued a rare joint statement in response to Faissal's claims, calling them "hurtful and misleading". The family emphasized that every decision regarding Faissal was made collectively, with professional medical guidance, and with compassion for his well-being. They also urged the media and public to treat their private struggles with care, refusing to allow it to become sensational gossip. The statement was signed by multiple generations and branches of the family, including Aamir's children, ex-spouses, and extended relatives.
Faissal, however, remains firm in his accusations. During his press conference, when asked about the family's statement, he called them "liars" and "hypocrites," asserting that they are misleading the public. He revealed that his sister, Farhat Khan, contacted him multiple times before the press conference, seemingly worried about what he might say. He questioned why they were scared of him speaking his mind and challenged them to prove their claims that he is mentally unstable.
Faissal has also made serious allegations about being drugged by his family. He claimed that bodyguards would inject a drug called "Serenace" into his water and food. Fearing a fatal overdose, he eventually agreed to take medication and was confined to a room for a year, during which his weight increased significantly.
In a conversation with IANS, Faissal revealed details about the allowance he received from Aamir. He stated that he initially received INR 30,000, which gradually increased. He also mentioned working with Aamir as a script doctor for a fee. Furthermore, Faissal alleged that he has suffered due to family politics, pointing fingers at his mother, sister Nikhat, and brother-in-law Santosh Hegde.
He told IANS that the problems began in 2002 when his family pressured him to marry. He then wrote a letter mentioning his sister Nikhat's multiple marriages and Aamir's child out of wedlock with Jessika Hines, questioning their authority to advise him on how to live his life. He believes this led to the family alleging he suffered from mental health issues because he stopped meeting them. He now occasionally takes medication for anxiety when the family pressure becomes overwhelming.
Faissal's career includes roles in films such as "Madhosh" and "Mela," where he starred alongside Aamir Khan. He has worked as an assistant director in Aamir's films and has also ventured into directing with the psychological thriller "Faactory".