Jiah Khan's mother Rabia, speaks about her daughter's troubled affair with her boyfriend and the film industry
When did you first know that Jiah was dating Suraj?
Last year. Initially, I never stopped her from meeting that boy. He was wooing her with flowers and home-cooked food. And she liked it.
When did you realise that Jiah was in a troubled relationship with him?
In February, this year she had come to London. I told her, 'You are in love but there is no glow on your face'. She broke down. I asked her to share everything with me. I told her 'Home is hospital, world outside is a battlefield. Don't hide anything from me'. I asked her to withdraw from the relationship. But I realised it was too late... She was head-over-heels in love with that boy. I managed to dissuade her from talking to him for few days but I saw that they were in touch again. She returned to join piano and kathak classes. She had a maid, driver- her life was going fine. Her younger sister was going to get engaged on June 23, which is why I was in Mumbai. And on return I felt that she and Suraj had sorted it out and life was smiling upon her once more.
If things had indeed settled down between them, how did it suddenly go all wrong?
I don't know. But since the past ten days, I could see that Suraj was trying to distance himself from Jiah. I sat Jiah down and had a chat with her on this (pauses). I could see that he was becoming commitment phobic. But youngsters are youngsters I guess...Love is blind.
Did you and Aditya Panscholi ever discuss Jiah and Suraj's relationship?
It's a misconception that Aditya and I were friends. Aditya is Anju Mahendroo's friend. If he was my friend, things would have been amicable and this incident wouldn't have happened. But yeah, I know he threw a fit when he came to know about his son's relationship with my daughter. He even told Salman Khan about it, who tried to talk Suraj out of it. But Suraj told him that he loved Jiah and Salman was then cool about it.
Have you ever met Zarina Wahab (Suraj's mom) and interacted with her?
Never. He never introduced me to his parents as Jiah's mother. I kept telling Jiah that it is strange that you have introduced him to me as your boyfriend but he never reciprocated.
Did Jiah ever tell you that she was pregnant with Suraj's child and underwent an abortion?
No. Had I known about it, I would've blasted the sky.
Did Jiah want to marry Suraj?
Yes. She wanted to settle down and have a home with him.
Any message to young girls aspiring for a career in films or their moms?
I don't want to preach. But this industry is not bad if you work sincerely. And for heaven's sake, don't get me wrong. I have not been an ambitious and pushy mother. Every parent motivates his/her child to pursue his/her dream, I was doing the same
Was Jiah upset when she was ousted from Chance Pe Dance?
She was very disappointed. But I think only the makers of CPD (Read: UTV, Ken Ghosh) can tell you why they threw her out. But her dream was getting back on track. Recently, she had met Suraj Sharma (of Life Of Pi) and the makers of a South film had almost finalised her. They asked her to put on some weight and did not reject her outright as has been reported in the media.
Do you think that the fact that Jiah hadn't signed too many films but Suraj was being launched by a big banner (Salman Khan Productions) drove a wedge in their relationship?
I think so. After he signed his debut film (remake of Hero) with Salman, his body language changed. In fact, Jiah told him that she wanted to meet Salman and tell him that she wanted to work with him. But Suraj did not make it happen.
Jiah was quite bitter about her dad. Where is he?
She had issues with him but that was her personal matter. At this point, I would only like to say one thing about him. He called me after Jiah passed away. And he cried a lot over the phone.
More: http://www.oneshotoneplace.com/2013/06/10/rabia-khan-releases-jiah-khans-suicide-letter-to-sooraj-pancholi/
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