"Media Made Me a Villain": Sooraj Pancholi breaks silence on the 14-year struggle, media trial & Salman Khan's support

In a rare and explosive conversation hosted by ex-RAW operative and PM Modi’s former bodyguard Lucky Bisht — actor Sooraj Pancholi opened up for the first time in years about the trauma he faced during one of Bollywood’s most high-profile media trials. From his arrest at the age of 20 to being shunned by the industry and battling alone for over a decade, Sooraj’s revelations are both heartbreaking and deeply disturbing.

“I was just 20… and suddenly I was a murderer” - Sooraj Pancholi

Recalling the incident, he said, “I come from a film family — my mother is an actor, my father is an actor. My father had a strong image, especially during his peak years. He was very outspoken — he said whatever he felt, and if he didn’t like something, he reacted openly. Because of his image, people assumed I was the same. Naturally, there was a lot of media attention, and I was very young at the time. I was just 20 or 21. At that age, when so much is happening around you, it’s hard to even process it, let alone respond to it."

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He added, “The charges were initially under Section 306. Later, the police also added Section 302 as well. No one really knew where the pressure was coming from. Our Investigation Officers were getting constant calls, asking them to press charges under Sections 302 and even 307. There was a lot of pressure, and even they seemed worried about it. To this day, I don’t know why there was so much pressure or who it was coming from.”

On industry support — and why it didn’t come

Talking about Salman Khan’s support, the actor shared, “It’s not like Salman sir helped me because we had some personal connection — we have nothing to do with each other. But he supported me, even during my worst times.”

Further, revealing about not receiving support from others in the industry, he adds, “Still, I understand why I didn’t receive much support back then. There are two reasons. First, my father isn’t close to anyone influential in the industry. His circle of old actor friends has remained the same. He’s never worked with a big studio, so naturally, I’ve never been in touch with people like Karan Johar or Dinesh Vijan — I don’t think I’ve even met them. The second reason is the legal case. From a producer’s point of view, casting someone involved in an active investigation is a risk. If the CBI calls, or there’s a trial, the shoot could get delayed — and that means losses worth crores.”

“I struggled for almost 14 years… but I never gave up”

“So yes, I’m smart enough to understand why there was hesitation or delay in supporting me. But that’s life, sir. Whatever happened, happened. Still, I chose to fight. I tried to stay in the industry. I worked hard. I never gave up. I didn’t spiral into depression. I didn’t turn to drugs or alcohol. I just kept going.”

“Nobody wanted the truth”

When Bisht asked him about media trials, Sooraj responded, “Nobody wanted to write the truth. Media did not want to talk about the positive. I still don’t know what they wanted at that time. Did they hold a grudge against me?"

“When I was released, the court clearly stated that the letter I was arrested for should be investigated by handwriting experts and the CBI. And what did the court say? That the letter was not written by the deceased. There was no matching handwriting. The diary that was found at her house belonged to her mother — and even that didn’t match her handwriting. But no one talked about it. So I ask — why was I arrested? On what basis? On the basis of that 6-7-8 page letter? If that letter was fake, then why was I arrested? Why was I charged? Why did I spend 12 to 15 years fighting in court? I genuinely don’t know.”