Bollywood actress Jiah Khan of Nishabd fame was found hanging from the ceiling at her Juhu residence on late Monday night. The Mumbai Police said that it is suspected that the actor committed suicide although it is not clear yet as to why she took the drastic step.
"After the police control received a call around 12 am, a mobile police van was rushed to the spot. She was found in an unconscious state and was rushed to Cooper hospital where she was declared dead on arrival," said an official from the Juhu police.
The official added that the reason for her drastic step is being probed and that no suicide note was found on her person or in the apartment at Sagar Sangeet building in Vile Parle (west) where she lived with her mother and sister. Her mother and sister had briefly left the residence when Khan allegedly committed suicide by making a noose from a dupatta and hanging herself from the ceiling.
"Her body was sent for a post mortem at Cooper hospital and will be subsequently handed over to her family for the performance of her last rites," said the official.
Sources said that the actress, whose real name was Nafisa Khan, had recently returned from Hyderabad and committed suicide soon after her return. However, the police are yet to corroborate this.
The police were interviewing her neighbours, an officer said, adding that no suicide note was found.
"We suspect she hung herself at her home late on Monday," the official told AFP.
"As of now, we have recorded an accidental death. We are investigating further," said the official.
Jiah made her acting debut in Ram Gopal Varma's controversial movie, Nishabd, where she acted opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Upon its release in March 2007, the film received mixed reviews, but Jiah was noted for her confidence, attitude, and sex appeal. She also got a Filmfare Best Debutant Nomination.
She then appeared alongside Aamir Khan in A R Murugadoss's Ghajini, the Hindi remake of the director's own Tamil film of the same name. Later she appeared as a supporting actress in Sajid Khan's multi starrer comedy film 'Housefull' (2010). This was her last film.
Jiah was brought up in England and had shifted to Mumbai recently to act in Hindi films.
Actor Dia Mirza reportedly broke the news of Jiah's death on micro blogging site Twitter.
(With inputs from AFP)
RIP Nafisa(Jiah) Khan. You were too young and beautiful...
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Dia Mirza (@deespeak) June 3, 2013
So sad to her that Nafisa (Jiah) Khan of Nishabd and Gaajni fame commits suicide in her Juhu home. Stardom truly has its dark side. RIP!!
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Rahul Nanda (@rahulnanda86) June 3, 2013
Shocked n saddened to hear about jiah khan ... Very disturbing ... RIP ....may her soul rest in peace
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Shahid Kapoor (@shahidkapoor) June 4, 2013
So sad to see unhappiness and disappointment destroy a young life... Jiah Khan RIP.
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Pritish Nandy (@PritishNandy) June 4, 2013
Shocked and saddened by the news ... Gone way too soon... RIP Jiah Khan
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Neha Dhupia (@Neha_Dhupia) June 4, 2013
It's just incredibly sad when anyone so young takes their own life. R.I.P Jiah Khan.
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Vir Das (@thevirdas) June 4, 2013
Shocked to hear about Jiah Khan, she was too young to give up on life... RIP
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Arshad Warsi (@imarshadwarsi) June 4, 2013
R.I.P. Jiah khan ... Saddest news .. May god find her a happier place ... Bless her ..my prayers ..love !
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Chitrangda Singh (@IChitrangda) June 3, 2013
RIP Jiah khan..Too young too beautiful to b gone so soon!
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Amrita Arora (@amuarora) June 4, 2013
Unable to come to terms with the fact that Jiah Khan is no more ! Shocked as hell..RIP Jiah
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Pooja Chopra (@Pooja_Chopra_) June 4, 2013