Sooraj Pancholi, whose last theatrical release came in 2021, is now making a comeback with the period action film Kesari Veer, which also stars Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, and Akanksha Sharma. At the trailer launch of the film, Sooraj reflected on moving forward from the decade-long Jiah Khan case, in which he was accused but later acquitted.
At the event, Sooraj — son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab –spoke about maintaining inner strength through difficult times and credited his support system. “Dekho, dil saaf hai mera… (Look, I have a clean heart) and the people who know me, they know I have a clean heart. And I have a very good support system — my sister and my mother — they all kept me motivated. I always took care of my health… that’s the first thing I did. People think I go to the gym because of the physique, but I went for the mind… to keep it strong.” He also reflected on years of media and public scrutiny, saying, “There’s a long way to go… jab itna jhel liya, toh aage bhi dekh lenge.” (There’s a long way to go… if I’ve endured this much, I’ll face what’s ahead too.)
Addressing why it took so long for him to return to the screen, Sooraj pointed to personal healing and timing: “Many things had to clear from my life… and my mother says good things take time. I was waiting for the right film… and couldn’t have asked for a better comeback than this.”
Sooraj was arrested in 2013 following the death of actress Jiah Khan, who he was dating at the time. He spent 22 days in jail before being granted bail. A note later produced by Khan’s family claimed their strained relationship contributed to her death. In 2018, he was formally charged with abetment of suicide — charges he consistently denied, stating he was made a scapegoat. In April 2023, a CBI Special Court acquitted him due to lack of evidence. After the verdict, Sooraj posted on Instagram: “The truth always wins,” adding the hashtag #GodIsGreat.
