It’s been almost 2 weeks since 25 year old actress Jiah Khan was found hanging at her residence. Her mother, Rabiya Khan still can’t come to terms with the harsh reality. Being the fighter Jiah was, her mother finds it difficult to believe that she took her own life.
Currently the news doing the rounds is that it was her failed relationship with boyfriend Suraj, son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab that led her to commit suicide.
"It is heartbreaking... unbelievable... why she did this? When someone is behaal (in bad shape), disturbed mentally and emotionally then they don't know what they are doing, what step they are taking. She was a fighter, soldier," Rabiya Khan said.
"She was very spiritual. She used to advice and counsel her sisters. Being elder, she was protective about them. It is surprising to know how 'kamjor' (weak) she was from within... we couldn't believe she did this."
Recalling the ill-fated day, Rabiya said, "We were out at around 8.30 pm and Jiah was to see an American show with one of her cousins. I was at my friend's place. We chatted through text messages. This was at around 9.30 pm. If I had known about her mental condition that day I wouldn't have left her alone."
A deeply hurt Jiah had written about the "trauma and abuse" suffered at the hands of her lover which was revealed in a six page note that was found. Suraj being her boyfriend was arrested and booked for abetment to suicide.
"Her love was not respected and recognised," rued Rabiya.
Jiah had told her mother about her troubled relationship with Suraj when she visited Rabiya in London a few months back.
"This year when she came to London for her birthday (in February) I noticed she had lost the charm on her face. As a mother I could feel it. I asked her and she started crying, I asked her if that was about her career, or films getting delayed. She started crying like hell as if there was a deep pain in her heart," Rabiya said.
"We asked her if it was about Suraj, she said he does not respect her, uses foul language, hits her. I told her he is not for you... we asked her to cut off ties with the guy. We decided to do things what she likes and tried to keep her busy. She became normal and looked happy. I explained her how to give space in a relation, how to keep oneself busy."
The allegations levelled by Jiah's kin have been rubbished by Suraj's family.
Rabiya rubbished reports that Jiah's floundering film career may have led her to take the extreme step. "She was not disturbed about career... she had good offers in pipeline. She refused a lot of films. For her it was the role and subject that excited her.
"She was a born actress. She did a film at the age of 10 or 11 for UNICEF on child abuse. She played a young bride, getting married to an older man," she said.
Fondly remembering her daughter, Rabiya said that Jiah used to pen lyrics, write diary and loved reading books on different subjects. She loved music and used to sing as well.