Bollywood actress Jiah Khan commits suicide: police

Published June 4, 2013
Jiah Khan.—File Photo.
Jiah Khan.—File Photo.

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Jiah Khan, who made her debut starring opposite acting legend Amitabh Bachchan, died in an apparent suicide at her home in the Indian city of Mumbai, police said on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old Khan, who grew up in London before moving to India for a career in Bollywood, was found dead in her home by her family, an officer said.

Police were interviewing her neighbours, the officer said, adding that no suicide note was found.

“We suspect she hung herself at her home” late on Monday, a police official told AFP, saying that her body has been sent for a post mortem.

Khan, who was born in New York before moving to London and then Mumbai, made her Bollywood debut in 2007 with the controversial film “Nishabd” (No words), playing the role of a teenager in love with her best friend's much older father, played by Bachchan.

The movie received average reviews because of its provocative storyline but Khan was praised for her bold acting.

Khan, who changed her name from Nafisa Khan, went on to star alongside actor Aamir Khan in “Ghajini”, a box-office hit.

India's film industry reacted with shock and sadness to the news, with actress Sonam Kapoor, a contemporary, tweeting: “Rip Jiah khan. Terrible tragedy.. Very very shocking and disturbing news.” ”Nobody should be in so much pain and a state of such hopelessness. I hope her soul finds some respite in death."

Bachchan, when contacted by AFP on Tuesday, only said: “Shocked and disturbed.”

Actress Bipasha Basu tweeted: “#Rip Jiah Khan! God bless her soul!

”Khan's latest film “Housefull” was a comedy released in 2010, which also starred Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone.

Opinion

Editorial

X post facto
Updated 19 Apr, 2024

X post facto

Our decision-makers should realise the harm they are causing.
Insufficient inquiry
19 Apr, 2024

Insufficient inquiry

UNLESS the state is honest about the mistakes its functionaries have made, we will be doomed to repeat our follies....
Melting glaciers
19 Apr, 2024

Melting glaciers

AFTER several rain-related deaths in KP in recent days, the Provincial Disaster Management Authority has sprung into...
IMF’s projections
Updated 18 Apr, 2024

IMF’s projections

The problems are well-known and the country is aware of what is needed to stabilise the economy; the challenge is follow-through and implementation.
Hepatitis crisis
18 Apr, 2024

Hepatitis crisis

THE sheer scale of the crisis is staggering. A new WHO report flags Pakistan as the country with the highest number...
Never-ending suffering
18 Apr, 2024

Never-ending suffering

OVER the weekend, the world witnessed an intense spectacle when Iran launched its drone-and-missile barrage against...