‘I Was Arrested 7 Times, 26/11 Link Ruined My Life’ News24 –

Rahul Bhatt, son of filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, became widely known in 2009 when it was found that he had unknowingly become friends with David Headley, one of the people involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Since then, Rahul has mostly stayed away from the public eye.

But in a recent interview with Hindi Rush, the actor and fitness trainer talked about the emotional pain he has faced because of that case. He said it ruined his public image and affected how he sees himself. Rahul also shared that he has been arrested seven times, but he has never been found guilty or punished by the court.

Rahul Bhatt Opens Up About Silent Struggles

Rahul called the experience “the most devastating trauma” of his life. He said that even though he didn’t show his emotions on the outside, he was always struggling with the pain inside.

“I was the one who suffered the most… my identity was butchered… my character was assassinated… for what, for nothing. I didn’t do anything… and if I had, I have enough courage to accept my crime and go to the gallows… I’m a man, I’d have taken it on the chin… but I didn’t do anything, and still I was made to go through all of it. I remember everything to this day,” he said.

Rahul Bhatt on Online Hate and Media Blame

Rahul also shared that even after so many years, he still gets hateful and abusive messages online.

“It hurts, when you’re called a traitor, when you have done nothing… It hurts… You start distrusting human beings.”

He said he once went on the reality show Bigg Boss to clear the misunderstanding.

“I said let me go there and in a non-glamorous way, give my clarification.”

Rahul added that the investigation teams always treated him fairly and never saw him as a suspect. He feels it was the media that created a false image of him and put him through an unfair public trial.

Rahul Bhatt: ‘I Was Always Just a Witness‘

Rahul said that everything about the case is already public and that he was never seen as guilty. He explained that he was always treated as a witness, not a suspect.

“Everything has been out, I was never the accused, I was a witness… from day one… agar kuch hota hai toh main yahan baitha hota? It was a big case… they would have shut me if anything was true.”

He believes if there had been any real evidence against him, strict action would have been taken long ago.