Bollywood starlet Jiah Khan, 25, who had a dream debut working with Amitabh Bachchan and Ram Gopal Varma in Nishabd (2007), was found hanging from the ceiling late on Monday at her Sagar Sangeet apartment in the posh Juhu area of northwest Mumbai.
The Mumbai police confirmed the suicide while saying it was exploring what might have triggered the actor to take an extreme step. “After the police control received a call around 12 am, a mobile police van was rushed to the spot. She was found in an unconscious state and was rushed to Cooper Hospital where she was declared dead on arrival,” said an official from the Juhu police.
Khan, whose real name was Nafisa Khan, was born in New York and grew up in london. Though the police have confirmed suicide by hanging, the speculation game has begun as to what compelled her to take her own life.
Her mentor and director Ram Gopal Varma was shocked and almost choked on hearing about the death of his protégé, whose spunk and spirit as a debutante, made many in the industry sit up and take notice.
But he also guessed the depths of her desperation, saying she was frustrated at not being able to make it big in the industry beyond her showgirl status despite investing three years in it.
“She was scared of her future,” he said. Perhaps, the insecurity of sinking into nothingness got to her as she made her state of mind very clear on her social media platforms.
Of course, many are wondering whether her depression had anything to do with her relationship issues what with her friendship with Sooraj Pancholi, actor Aditya Pancholi’s son, under the scanner. The police interrogated him as she received his call last.
She was said to be under depression after coming to know of Sooraj’s new love interest, who supplied jewellery to the Pancholis. Reports suggest that Sooraj and Jiah spoke over telephone a number of times on Monday, with the last call being made at 22.53 PM which lasted for two minutes. Soon thereafter, Jiah hanged herself. Post-mortem examination revealed the incident took place between 11 pm and 11.30 pm, sources said.
Jiah’s last rites would be performed on Wednesday, after the arrival of some of her family members from the United Kingdom.
Both Sooraj and Aditya were questioned by the police in connection with the case for nearly three-and-a-half hours and would be called again if necessary.
Sooraj is believed to have been awaiting a launch in the industry.
The Mumbai Police has questioned Khan’s friends and will also record the statements of her two sisters.
News of her death was first reported by actress Dia Mirza through a social networking site around 1.45 am. Jiah’s mother and sister had gone out and she was alone at the house when the incident happened, police said.
The sudden death of the young starlet has created ripples in the industry who expressed their grief on social networking sites. Choreographer Sonia Jaffer who worked with Jiah in Nishabd told us that she spoke to the actor three weeks ago. “Jiah Khan and I were really good friends. She was full of life and I don’t understand what people are saying about her. She was peaceful and composed. Everyone gets their lows. But I don’t believe she would end her life. There are alleged reports of her suicide. There may be more to it. It’s wrong to assume things. But in case, she has done it, we should all be ashamed. She needed us in that moment but we were not there and she was compelled to take this extreme step.”
Unlike many newcomers, Jiah had the privilege of working with big names like Aamir Khan (Ghajini) and Akshay Kumar (Housefull II). Perhaps, she also had trouble scaling down her expectations after her big launch.
Bollywood was aghast at the news of her demise with megastar Amitabh Bachchan tweeting, “What!!! Jiah KhanIJIJIJ What has happenedIJ Is this correctIJ Unbelievable!!! (sic).” Actor Shahid Kapoor, said, “Shocked and saddened to hear about Jiah Khan... Very disturbing. RIP... May her soul rest in peace.”
Khan made her debut in 1998 as a child artist in Dil Se. later, the 16-year-old Khan was to debut in Mukesh Bhatt’s Tumsa Nahin Dekha, but backed out when both the director and herself felt the role was too mature for her, and was immediately replaced by Dia Mirza. Two years later, she finally debuted in the controversial romantic thriller Nishabd. She was also nominated for a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award. The industry had thought she would go far ahead with her saucy insouciance.