Sooraj Pancholi Recalls His Harrowing Time in Jail: “Treated Like a Terrorist”

Sooraj Pancholi Recalls His Harrowing Time in Jail: “Treated Like a Terrorist”

In a candid conversation with a media house, actor Sooraj Pancholi opened up about one of the darkest and most traumatic phases of his life — his time spent in Arthur Road Jail following his arrest in the Jiah Khan case. The actor, now older and more reflective, revealed how the entire experience felt surreal and nightmarish, especially considering his young age at the time.

“I was just a 21-year-old boy. It’s all hazy now, but the memories are etched deep,” Sooraj recounted, describing how he was placed in the infamous ‘anda cell’, known for housing high-risk inmates in solitary confinement. “They put me in the same cell where Ajmal Kasab (the 26/11 terrorist) was kept. I didn’t even have a pillow. I slept on newspapers. It felt like I had committed a terror attack.”

The actor didn’t hold back when expressing the psychological toll of the experience. “They treated me as though I had done something monstrous. I’m not exaggerating — the way I was handled, it was terrifying. At that time, I didn’t fully understand what was happening. It was only years later that I processed it all.”

The Tragic Case of Jiah Khan

The tragic demise of actress Jiah Khan shocked the nation. Known for her roles in films like Nishabd and Ghajini, Jiah was found dead in her Juhu apartment on June 3, 2013. The discovery was made by her mother, Rabia Khan. What followed was a storm of media scrutiny and legal entanglements, with Jiah's boyfriend, Sooraj Pancholi, being arrested on charges of abetment to suicide.

The prosecution’s case largely revolved around a handwritten six-page note allegedly penned by Jiah, which surfaced after her death. The note detailed her emotional turmoil, referring to a troubled relationship marked by alleged physical and mental abuse. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) used the letter as a crucial piece of evidence, which led to Sooraj's prolonged legal battle.

Sooraj, the son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, has always maintained his innocence. Over the years, the case saw several twists and intense public debates, turning it into a deeply polarizing issue.

Suraj Pancholi delivers the performance of his career as Hamir Ji Gohil — fierce, proud, and unyielding in the face of Islamic invasion. His screen presence bleeds valour, pain, and unmatched intensity.

A Shadow That Still Lingers

Even after being acquitted by a special CBI court in April 2023 due to lack of evidence, Sooraj continues to carry the emotional scars of the ordeal. “What I went through, no 21-year-old should ever have to experience. The trauma, the isolation, the judgment — it stays with you,” he said, his voice heavy with the weight of his past.

Now, as he attempts to reclaim his life and career, Sooraj Pancholi is gradually opening up, not just to clear his name, but to shed light on the psychological damage such incidents can cause, especially when one is thrown into the public eye during the most vulnerable years of life.

As the dust settles around one of Bollywood’s most controversial and tragic cases, Sooraj’s reflections serve as a stark reminder of how fame, scrutiny, and unresolved grief can collide in the most devastating ways.