What Went Wrong in the Actor’s Life Following Jiah Khan’s Suicide Allegations

Once considered a rising star, Sooraj Pancholi has spent the last several years away from the limelight. The legal battle and box office flops pushed him far from the center stage. But now, with the upcoming film Kesari Veer, he is hoping to finally establish himself in the industry.

Pancholi’s debut in 2015 was overshadowed by a major controversy surrounding the death of actress Jiah Khan in 2013. He was accused of abetment her death after a letter allegedly written by Jiah surfaced which blamed their troubled relationship. He was arrested and spent 22 days in jail. The case went on for years and affected his image badly but in 2023, after a long legal battle, Mumbai court found no evidence against him and cleared him of all charges.

During this time, Sooraj struggled in his acting career. His debut film Hero (2015), though supported by Salman Khan, didn’t do well. His next films, Satellite Shankar (2019) and Time to Dance (2021), also flopped at the box office. With three unsuccessful films he slowly disappeared from the limelight.

But now, he’s making a comeback with Kesari Veer, a historical action film based on the real story of Hamirji Gohil, a warrior who fought to protect the Somnath Temple. It also stars Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, and Akanksha Sharma. It is set to hit the theaters on May 16, 2025.

At the trailer launch event in Mumbai, Sooraj got emotional and thanked the team for believing in him. He said he had been waiting for the right film, and this one felt perfect.