Netizens heartbroken after Jiah Docu

A three-part series on actress Jiah Khan’s death and arrest of her boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi brings back sordid memories

BBC 2 recently released a three-part documentary series called Death in Bollywood, produced by Monica Varshney. The series, which revolves around the actress’ death and the subsequent arrest of her boyfriend and actor Sooraj Pancholi, has led to netizens coming out strongly in support of the late actress.

With extensive interviews with senior media personnel, Rabiya Khan, Jiah’s mum, an erstwhile actress herself, and Sooraj and his parents as well as friends and family of both parties, the documentary tries to delve into every angle of the late actress’ death. However, the documentary couldn’t manage to have the investigating cops speak on the subject.

The documentary is not legally available in India because cops refused to comment on the ongoing case. However, a YouTube channel has now put up the documentary illegally. The British-American actress Jiah was born Nafisa Khan and made her Bollywood debuted in 2007 in Ram Gopal Varma’s film Nishabd opposite Amitabh Bachchan. She died in 2013. Sooraj, who made his Bollywood debut five years ago in Hero, is the son of Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, both actors.

One of the documentary viewers wrote, “I am truly shocked that #SoorajPancholi and #adityapancholi agreed to be interviewed for #DeathInBollywood because they do NOT come out of it well (sic).” Another person who watched the documentary was rather harsh, “Not once at any point has Sarooj said he can’t believe Jia is gone, or he misses her or her family must be devastated. He’s just constantly tried to put forward his defence. He’s not even admitted the investigation has been poorly handled (sic).”

The documentary has Rabiya and Sooraj seeking closure on the case. While the death has still been ruled as a suicide, Rabiya is not happy.

“Rabiya has gone after the police and then she has gone after the CBI,” says Sooraj who was arrested and put in the notorious ‘anda cell’ after which he was released on bail by the Bombay High Court after it found no evidence to hold him responsible for Jiah’s death.

Interestingly, the documentary also focuses on a playboy who coerced a 14-year-old Jiah into intercourse in her past. “She did tell me about her rape and had even tried to kill herself. There were so many small cuts on her wrists,” says Sooraj in the documentary.

The documentary tries to delve into every angle of the late actress’ death. However, the documentary couldn’t manage to

have the investigating cops speak on the subject