Every aspiring actor dreams of sharing screen space with Amitabh Bachchan, but Jiah Khan made it happen on her very first try—and in record time. The British-born starlet of Indian descent turned heads with her debut in ‘Nishabd’, bagging the role after a mere 10-minute conversation with filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma.
Raised by her actress mother Rabia Amin, who shone in 1980s hits like ‘Locket’, Jiah inherited a passion for the silver screen. Planning to debut in Varma’s ‘Rangeela’ remake, fate had other plans. Posing as a student seeking interview insights for college, she charmed her way into ‘Nishabd’ opposite the iconic Bachchan.
The film thrust Jiah into the spotlight as she romanced a much older Bachchan on screen, handling steamy sequences with poise despite initial jitters. Critics panned the movie for its bold theme, but Jiah’s raw talent earned her instant fame. She followed up with meaty roles in ‘Ghajini’ and ‘Housefull’, proving her mettle among superstars.
Behind the glamour, however, lay deep struggles. Her romance with younger actor Sooraj Pancholi soured, culminating in Jiah’s suicide in 2013. Today, on her birth anniversary, fans revisit the enigma who lit up Bollywood so briefly but memorably, leaving an indelible mark.