A few years ago, when I was working as an entertainment journalist with a magazine, in Mumbai I met Jiah Khan, as she was known back then. We were to shoot with her for a fashion spread. Her publicist made the arrangements and the date was set, for a summery afternoon with a popular Bandra restaurant as our location.
When I walked into the room where she was to get ready, to meet Jiah/Nafisa, I was pleasantly surprised by what I was greeted by. A bubbly young girl with a somewhat British accent, in shorts and a loose t-shirt sitting comfortably on the bed talking nineteen to the dozen. Yes she was no multi-film starring A-list Bollywood star, neither was she a nobody. Caught somewhere in the middle, Jiah Khan’s personality was something you could not ignore. She bounced up and down the bed, pouted like a little girl and stuck a cigarette in her mouth, puffing away, all with the energy of a wind-up toy with tireless batteries.
Here’s what I remember most of that afternoon. Each time the photographer clicked a shot, Jiah put on her game face and posed. A sexy, confident pose of a confident woman not so far from the character she played in Nishabd. But that was just a face she put on and something the photographer knew. When asked to shed her inhibitions and be herself, a whole other side of Jiah was revealed. I may not be able to explain exactly what it was I saw, but perhaps the best way to put it was that she looked like nothing more than an innocent young girl, trying hard to put on a brave face, but just vulnerable at heart.
The second time I met Jiah was during a shoot with her neighbour in Juhu, Sikander Kher. As we shot in the alley adjacent to her building and his house, there was a loud screaming voice saying hello. I looked up to see Jiah popping out of her window, waving hello, oblivious to the camera, chirpy as ever. Not much had changed till then. Until now.
Her reasons for committing suicide are unknown as yet, but its sad, when ending her life seemed the only option for her. RIP Nafisa (Jiah) Khan.
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Jiah Khan's mom Rabiya Khan's special press conference where she reveals the true story behind how Sooraj treated Jiah. Watch this uncut exclusive interview here.
Salman Khan tried to persuade Sooraj to end relationship with Jiah Khan?
WILL Salman Khan Punish SOORAJ PANCHOLI?? BIG QUESTION?
The Jiah Khan suicide case has been full of twists and turns since day one and now, another name has been added to the unholy mess. Jiah’s mother Rabia claims that Bollywood superstar Salman Khan had a chat with Sooraj Pancholi, Jiah’s boyfriend and tried to persuade him to end the relationship.
In an interview, Rabia claimed that when Aditya Pancholi found out about his son Sooraj having a relationship with Jiah, he threw a fit and also asked Salman to persuade Sooraj to end the relationship. Following this, Salman had a chat with Sooraj but after the latter claimed that he is in love with Jiah, Salman backed off.
Watch Rabia Khan's interview
Sooraj was arrested recently on charges of abetting suicide after it was discovered that Jiah ended her life because of depression over her rocky relationship with Sooraj, a fact that was confirmed by her six page long letter that she had written before hanging herself.
Sooraj and Jiah were reportedly in a relationship for a year, and he was the last person she spoke to on the phone before hanging herself.
My earliest memory Aamir Khan involves sitting in a cinema hall, goose bumps and giggles. I’ve been an ardent fan of his ever since Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak hit screens. Years later, I started doing commercials and slowly inched my way into the film industry as well, and every single interview I did, I always expressed my desire to work with the man. And looks like fate was listening as not only have I landed the biggest campaign of the year but I’m told I’m shooting it with AAMIR KHAN!
I didn’t know how to react, I was so happy I went numb in my face. Then within a week the day dawned and I’ve obviously not slept at all the night before in sheer excitement. I land up on set like a giddy headed school girl, totally out of character. I get on set to rehearsals and in walks the man himself (sigh). He was everything I’d imagined him to be and so so so much more.
By far one of the most gracious, kind, humble and most importantly one of the smartest people I’ve ever met. He was such a thorough professional…9 am shifts meant 9 am shifts! Also, much against what people say that he interferes in the script etc, it’s in fact just the opposite. He would speak when necessary and just make logical sense to make the scene more believable. I would do these commercials all over again even though they involved waking up at 5 am every single morning for an entire week (yawn)!
I also realized he makes a very pretty chick! He he he… don’t you think so? And he knows a lot about women, the way we talk, walk, act, tiny nuances that made him ever so cute.
Pssst: He had to wear fake nails that I think he detested them considering they kept falling off ever so often.
All in all I loved shooting with him! The man is a legend for me and I can’t wait to start shooting some more commercials with him and who knows maybe films too!
Bollywood actress Jiah Khan of Nishabd fame was found hanging from the ceiling at her Juhu residence on late Monday night. The Mumbai Police said that it is suspected that the actor committed suicide although it is not clear yet as to why she took the drastic step.
The official added that the reason for her drastic step is being probed and that no suicide note was found on her person or in the apartment at Sagar Sangeet building in Vile Parle (west) where she lived with her mother and sister. Her mother and sister had briefly left the residence when Khan allegedly committed suicide by making a noose from a dupatta and hanging herself from the ceiling.
"Her body was sent for a post mortem at Cooper hospital and will be subsequently handed over to her family for the performance of her last rites," said the official.
Sources said that the actress, whose real name was Nafisa Khan, had recently returned from Hyderabad and committed suicide soon after her return. However, the police are yet to corroborate this.
The police were interviewing her neighbours, an officer said, adding that no suicide note was found.
"We suspect she hung herself at her home late on Monday," the official told AFP.
"As of now, we have recorded an accidental death. We are investigating further," said the official.
Actor Dia Mirza reportedly broke the news of Jiah's death on micro blogging site Twitter.
About Jiah Jiah made her acting debut in Ram Gopal Varma's controversial movie, Nishabd, where she acted opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Upon its release in March 2007, the film received mixed reviews, but Jiah was noted for her confidence, attitude, and sex appeal. She also got a Filmfare Best Debutant Nomination.
Bollywood celebrities are shocked by young Jiah Khan's death. Jiah allegedly committed suicide by hanging herself at her residence in Mumbai.
Jiah Khan's friends in industry are quite shocked by the incident and are expressing their grief on Twitter.
Here's what they have tweeted:
Amitabh Bachchan T 1128 -WHAT ...!!! Jiah Khan ??? what has happened ? is this correct ? unbelievable !!!
Sonam Kapoor Rip Jiah khan. Terrible tragedy.. Very very shocking and disturbing news..
Dia Mirza
I was too shocked to say more last night. This is NO WAY to go! Life is too precious. The worst phases pass. THEY DO. Never give up! #Jiah Shruti Haasan
RIP Jiah Khan - so sad to hear this news this morning. May she find her happiness somewhere.
Anupam Kher
Jiah Khan was full of life when I worked with her long time back. So sad that something drove her to take this extreme step. Riteish Deshmukh
Worked with Jiah in Housefull. She was full of life and had incredible sense of humour. She was a friend and will miss her. Am deeply saddened Bipasha Basu
RIP Jiah Khan! God bless her soul!
Amrita Arora
RIP Jiah khan... Too young too beautiful to be gone so soon!
Celina Jaitly
Cannot fathom what led her to such an unfortunate end...what must she be going through. Rest in peace in arms of God Jiah. Adieu!
Sonu Sood
Shocked by Jiah Khan's news. Had met her recently, was full of life...too early to go. RIP.
Manoj Bajpayee
Its shocking to hear that a young one has commited suicide. May your soul rest in peace Jiah Khan! Too young to go.
Shahid Kapoor Shocked n saddened to hear about jiah khan ... Very disturbing ... RIP ....may her soul rest in peace
Pritish Nandy So sad to see unhappiness and disappointment destroy a young life... Jiah Khan RIP
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Taran Adarsh Shocked and saddened by the news... RIP Jiah Khan.
Neha Dhupia Shocked and saddened by the news ... Gone way too soon... RIP Jiah Khan
Mini Mathur Im disappointed to hear about Jiah Khan. LIFE is more important than all of us. We didn't choose it. It chose us. Gotta respect that.
Kunal Kohli What she must've gone thru to take such a step we'll never know. May her soul rest in peace. #Jiah Khan
Vir Das It's just incredibly sad when anyone so young takes their own life. R.I.P Jiah Khan.
Arshad Warsi Shocked to hear about Jiah Khan, she was too young to give up on life... RIP
Kunal Kapoor So shocked and saddened by this terrible news!! May your soul find peace #Jiah khan
Mushtaq Shiekh Jiah Khan commits suicide. Girl you were too young to go! It's proven yet again that this glamour world can be a cruel place!#Bollywood #Sad
Shweta Pandit Deeply saddened to know about @JiahKhan Was such a delight to have known her. She was so genuine and full of fun #RIP
Chitrangda Singh R.I.P. Jiah khan ... Saddest news .. May god find her a happier place ... Bless her ..my prayers ..love!
When I walked into the room where she was to get ready, to meet Jiah/Nafisa, I was pleasantly surprised by what I was greeted by. A bubbly young girl with a somewhat British accent, in shorts and a loose t-shirt sitting comfortably on the bed talking nineteen to the dozen. Yes she was no multi-film starring A-list Bollywood star, neither was she a nobody. Caught somewhere in the middle, Jiah Khan’s personality was something you could not ignore. She bounced up and down the bed, pouted like a little girl and stuck a cigarette in her mouth, puffing away, all with the energy of a wind-up toy with tireless batteries.
Here’s what I remember most of that afternoon. Each time the photographer clicked a shot, Jiah put on her game face and posed. A sexy, confident pose of a confident woman not so far from the character she played in Nishabd. But that was just a face she put on and something the photographer knew. When asked to shed her inhibitions and be herself, a whole other side of Jiah was revealed. I may not be able to explain exactly what it was I saw, but perhaps the best way to put it was that she looked like nothing more than an innocent young girl, trying hard to put on a brave face, but just vulnerable at heart.
The second time I met Jiah was during a shoot with her neighbour in Juhu, Sikander Kher. As we shot in the alley adjacent to her building and his house, there was a loud screaming voice saying hello. I looked up to see Jiah popping out of her window, waving hello, oblivious to the camera, chirpy as ever. Not much had changed till then. Until now.
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