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Jiah Khan

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Jiah Khan
Khan at the Stardust Awards in January 2013
Born
Nafisa Khan

(1988-02-20)20 February 1988
New York City, U.S.
Died3 June 2013(2013-06-03) (aged 25)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Citizenship
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
Occupations
  • Actress
  • singer
Years active2007–2010
PartnerSooraj Pancholi (2012–2013)

Nafisa Rizvi Khan (20 February 1988 – 3 June 2013), better known as Jiah Khan, was an English-American actress and singer who worked in Indian films. She appeared in three Hindi films from 2007 to 2010.[1]

Born in New York City to Indian parents, she was raised and educated in London. Khan aspired to pursue a career in acting and moved to Mumbai for a film career. She made her film debut in the 2007 Ram Gopal Verma film Nishabd for which she was nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut. She was later noted for portraying supporting role of a modern, independent woman in Ghajini, which was the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2008. After a two years absence from films, she received praise for her comic role in the romantic comedy Housefull, which was the fifth highest-grossing Bollywood film of 2010.[2]

She was found hanging from a ceiling fan in her bedroom of her family's residence in Juhu, Mumbai. Deemed a suicide in 2013, and re-confirmed as a suicide in 2016 following an extensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and a hearing at the Bombay High Court. Khan's mother continued to claim that Khan had been murdered by her boyfriend, actor Sooraj Pancholi, leading the prosecution to make a failed attempt to lay charges of murder and sexual assault in 2017. In 2018, a court in Mumbai charged Pancholi with abetting Khan's suicide, but acquitted him in April 2023 due to lack of evidence.

Early life

Nafisa Khan was born on 20 February 1988[3] in New York City, United States, to Ali Rizvi Khan, an Indian American businessman, and Rabiya Amin, a Hindi film actress in the 1980s from Agra, Uttar Pradesh.[4][5] Her father left the family when she was 2 years old. Describing her father's absence she said "A man who left his daughter when she was two, should be hanged in public". She has two younger sisters Kavita and Karishma.[6] Her paternal aunts are Pakistani actresses Hina Rizvi, Sangeeta (Parveen Rizvi) and Kaveeta (Nasreen Rizvi).[7]

Khan grew up in London[8] where she completed her Edexcel O level and A level with five As, before moving to Mumbai to pursue a career in Bollywood.[4][failed verification] She was inspired to enter Bollywood after watching Ram Gopal Verma's former protege Urmila Matondkar's movie Rangeela at the age of six.[9]

Khan studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Manhattan, and she quit upon receiving a movie offer.[10] She learned various dance forms, including belly dancing, kathak, lambada, jazz, samba and reggae.[citation needed]

Career

Khan at the launch of Nokia APP in 2010.

In 2004, at the age of 16, Khan was signed to act in Mukesh Bhatt's Tumsa Nahin Dekha but backed out when both she and the director felt the role was too mature for her; she was immediately replaced by Dia Mirza. Three years later, in 2007, at the age of 18,[11] Khan made her debut in Ram Gopal Verma's controversial romantic thriller Nishabd, as Jia,[12] where she acted opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Despite the provocative content in the film, it performed poorly at the box office, and earned mixed reviews from critics.[13] Nonetheless, Khan received a mostly positive reception for her performance, with critics noting her confidence, attitude, and sex appeal. Raja Sen praised her portrayal of Jia, a seductive, free-spirited teenager, calling her performance "nuanced" and "impressive".[14] Taran Adarsh agrees, saying that "Newcomer Jiah Khan is supremely confident. Loaded with attitude and sex appeal, the newcomer carries off her part with flourish. Her scenes with Bachchan are superb!"[15] Rajeev Masand adds that she is "perfectly cast" for the film.[16] She was also nominated for a Filmfare Best Female Debut Award,[17] however lost to Deepika Padukone for Om Shanti Om.

Khan with Shazahn Padamsee, Shailendra Singh, Abhishek Kapoor and Sophie Choudry at DJ Magazine launch in 2012.

The following year, she appeared alongside Aamir Khan and Asin in A.R. Murugadoss's psychological thriller Ghajini, the Hindi remake of its namesake. She played Sunita, a medical student who investigates the history of Sanjay Singhania, portrayed by Aamir Khan. The film gathered much appreciation from critics, and went on to become the highest grossing Bollywood film of 2008.[18] Khan's performance attracted mixed reviews, with critics agreeing that her role was "sketchy".[19] Despite this, Sukanya Verma compliments her performance, commenting that Khan "continues to strike as an exquisite and expressive actress."[20]

In 2010, Khan had almost completed the shooting of the dance film Chance Pe Dance opposite Shahid Kapoor when the director Ken Ghosh asked her to leave the film, and she was replaced by Genelia D'Souza. The director said that she got over-friendly with Kapoor and was not doing her job well. However, after the release of the film, Khan said that she was asked to leave because the director had a bad eye on her. Kapoor said that he had no hand in the replacement of Khan, and got to know about the replacement when D'Souza came on the set for shooting.[21] However, the film was a box office flop and Khan said that she was happy for leaving the film. That same year, she made her last film appearance in a supporting role as Devika K. Samtani, the ex-wife of Akshay Kumar's character, in Sajid Khan's Housefull with an ensemble cast including Arjun Rampal, Riteish Deshmukh, Deepika Padukone and Lara Dutta. Upon release, Housefull received negative reviews, though her performance was better received. Commercially the film did very well and became the highest grossing Bollywood film of the year.[22][6][23] Khan had signed a few movies including Udhas Singh's Aap Ka Saaya, in which she was supposed to play Ranbir Kapoor's wife. Unfortunately, this film could not be completed.[24]

Death

Khan reportedly died after hanging somewhere between 11:00 pm and 11:30 pm at her residence in Juhu, Mumbai.[25] Her mother and sister were not at home at the time.[26]

Khan in London in 2009.

An autopsy was performed at JJ Hospital in Byculla.[27] Her body was then brought back to her residence around 7:00 am on Wednesday following the post-mortem.[28] On the same day her Namaz-e-janaza (funeral prayer) took place at Sonapur Kabar Walla Masjid and she was buried at Juhu Muslim cemetery after Dhuhr prayer as per Islamic rites. Bollywood actors in attendance included Aamir Khan, Kiran Rao, Riteish Deshmukh, Siddharth Mallya, Sophie Choudry, Urvashi Dholakia, Prem Chopra, Ranjeet, Deepak Parashar, Sanjay Khan and Nagma.[29] Bollywood stars reacted with shock at her death.[30]

On 7 June 2013, a six-page hand-written note was found at her residence by her sister, allegedly addressed to Khan's boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi. The note reportedly indicates that Khan planned to end her life. A transcript mentioning a recent abortion was released by the family.[31][32] However, her mother later said the purported events did not add up and that she suspected foul play.[33] On 8 June 2013, Khan's memorial was held at Vile Parle Medical Club to pray for Khan and her family. Bollywood actors in attendance included Aamir Khan, Deepika Padukone, Randhir Kapoor, Prateik Babbar, Sanjay Kapoor, Shweta Pandit, Kiran Rao, Urvashi Dholakia, Ranjeet, Deepak Parashar, Sanjay Khan and Nagma.[34][35][36]

Pancholi, who lived with Khan, was taken into police custody during the investigation of her suicide on 10 June 2013. In her suicide note Jiah mentioned that Sooraj used to physically abuse and torture her everytime.[37] The Bombay High Court granted him bail on 2 July 2013.[38] On 3 July 2014, a year after her death, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was ordered by the High Court to further investigate the death.[39][40]

The High Court held a hearing on the matter, starting on 7 June 2016, following the Supreme Court's call to expedite the process.[41] On 1 August 2016 the CBI ruled out murder in the case. As per its investigations, the cause of Khan's death was 'suicide by hanging'.[42] Khan's mother, Rabia, independently hired British forensics expert Jason Payne-James, who concluded in a 20 September 2016 report that "Khan's hanging was staged and the marks on her face and neck indicate it was not simply suicide."[42][43]

In January 2017 the prosecution requested that charges of sexual assault and murder be laid against Pancholi.[44]

On 31 January 2018 a court in Mumbai charged Pancholi with abetting Khan's suicide.[45][46] The CBI submitted a list of 69 witnesses, including Khan's mother Rabia, the complainant, with the case to begin in March 2018.[47] In April 2023, the CBI Special Court acquitted Pancholi due to lack of evidence.[48]

Tributes and documentaries

An episode of the TV series Yeh Hai Aashiqui was loosely based on Jiah Khan's suicide, with Mihika Verma and Rithvik Dhanjani playing the central characters.[49]

On 11 January 2021, the BBC started airing a three-part documentary about Khan's death, Death in Bollywood.[50]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
2007 Nishabd Jiah Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Female Debut
Also playback singer for song "Take Lite"[3]
2008 Ghajini Sunita Kalantri [3]
2010 Housefull Devika K. Samtani [51]

References

  1. ^ Jiah Khan all praise for Aamir Archived 6 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine The Hindu – 26 November 2008
  2. ^ "Jiah Khan now Nafisa Khan". India Today. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Roy, Gitanjali (4 June 2013). "Jiah Khan: Once Bollywood's brightest young thing". NDTV. Archived from the original on 4 June 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Bollywood actress Jiah Khan found dead in Mumbai". BBC News. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  5. ^ Khalid Mohamed (17 February 2007). ""I'm not related by blood to Tahir Hussain's family. I'm not his daughter. I don't even know how Aamir Khan looks like" – Jiah Khan". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 10 May 2011. Retrieved 13 March 2011.
  6. ^ a b "Failing career, troubled love life killed 25-year-old Jiah Khan?". Hindustan Times. 6 May 2013. Archived from the original on 6 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  7. ^ "Bollywood starlet Jiah Khan found dead". The Express Tribune. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2015.
  8. ^ Jamkhandikar, Shilpa (4 June 2013). "Bollywood starlet Jiah Khan found dead at Mumbai home". Reuters. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  9. ^ "10 unknown facts about Jiah Khan – 10 unknown facts about Jiah Khan – Yahoo! Movies India". Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  10. ^ Krishnaveni, S (7 March 2007). "Sound the siren". Gulf News. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  11. ^ "From Nishabd to Housefull: Who was Nafisa 'Jiah' Khan?". 4 June 2013. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  12. ^ "India Today, Volume 31, Issues 13–25". India Today. Thomson Living Media India Limited. 2006. p. 64.
  13. ^ "Nishabd is a total loss". Rediff. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  14. ^ Sen, Raja. "Nishabd is a powerful film". Rediff. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  15. ^ Adarsh, Taran (2 March 2007). "Nishabd – Review". Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  16. ^ Masand, Rajeev. "Masand's Verdict: Nishabd". Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  17. ^ "Nishabd actress Jiah Khan commits suicide". The Indian Express. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  18. ^ "Box Office 2008". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 21 July 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  19. ^ Mohamed, Khaled. "Review: Ghajini". Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 10 October 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  20. ^ Verma, Sukanya. "Ghajini: A sleek album of dark memories". Rediff. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  21. ^ "First Look: Chance Pe Dance". Star Box Office. Archived from the original on 6 November 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
  22. ^ "Jiah sulks over Yahoo". India Today. 16 April 2009. Retrieved 4 June 2013.
  23. ^ Sood, Megha (5 June 2013). "Actor Jiah Khan, 25, kills herself". The Indian Express. Retrieved 5 June 2013.
  24. ^ "Bollywood actor's movies after demise- Scoopwhoop". Archived from the original on 24 March 2016.
  25. ^ Lee, Chris (4 June 2013). "Bollywood star Jiah Khan dead of apparent suicide". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  26. ^ "Jiah Khan found dead in Mumbai; suicide suspected". Hindustan Times. 5 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  27. ^ "Jiah Khan was planning to quit movies, turn interior designer | NDTV Movies.com". Movies.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  28. ^ "No messages found in Jiah's beau's phone". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 9 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  29. ^ "Jiah Khan laid to rest amidst tears". The Times of India (in French). Archived from the original on 9 June 2013. Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  30. ^ "Bollywood star commits suicide". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  31. ^ "Jiah Khan's Suicide Note Revealed | Page 2". The Times of India. 10 June 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  32. ^ Suresh, Sunayana. "Jiah Khan's letter released to media by her mother". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  33. ^ Haworth, Abigail (1 October 2017). "Death in Bollywood: who killed Jiah Khan?". The Guardian. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  34. ^ Goldsmith, Johnny (4 June 2013). "Jiah Khan: Bollywood star found dead by mother in Mumbai home". mirror. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
  35. ^ Desk, India TV News (3 June 2014). "Jiah Khan's death anniversary: When Bollywood celebs were all moist-eyed (view pics)". indiatvnews.com. {{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  36. ^ "Nafisa (Jiah) Khan's funeral held". Glamsham.
  37. ^ Singh, Vijay V (11 June 2013). "Aditya Pancholi's son Suraj held for abetting Jiah Khan's suicide". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 13 June 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2013.
  38. ^ "HC grants Suraj Pancholi bail, downplays Jiah Khan letter". DNA. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 9 July 2013.
  39. ^ "Bombay High Court orders CBI to probe Jiah Khan Death Case". news.biharprabha.com. Indo-Asian News Service. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  40. ^ "Bombay High Court orders CBI probe into Jiah Khan suicide case -". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
  41. ^ "Bombay HC to hear Jiah Khan suicide case on June 7". ABP Live. 17 May 2016. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  42. ^ a b "Jiah Khans death has a new twist: Timeline of the events after her death". Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  43. ^ "Jiah Khan's hanging staged: UK expert". The Times of India. 20 September 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  44. ^ Deshpande, Swati (28 January 2017). "Jiah Khan case: 'Why sudden demand to charge Sooraj with rape?'". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  45. ^ "Jiah Khan's ex-partner Sooraj Pancholi charged over death of Bollywood star". 31 January 2018.
  46. ^ "Sooraj Pancholi charged in Jiah Khan suicide: Father Aditya Pancholi 'happy' to start 'real fight'". 31 January 2018.
  47. ^ "Trial against Sooraj Pancholi to start soon". 1 March 2018.
  48. ^ Akhil Kumar (28 April 2023). "Actor Sooraj Pancholi Acquitted In Jiah Khan Death By Suicide Case". ndtv.com. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  49. ^ "Telly show to recreate Jiah Khan's suicide?". The Times of India. 24 September 2013. Archived from the original on 26 September 2013. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  50. ^ "TV tonight: unsolved murders make a chilling, true-crime drama". The Guardian. 11 January 2021.
  51. ^ "Jiah Khan". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
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