Remembering Jiah Khan on her birth anniversary: Lesser known facts about Nishabd actress

Actress Jiah Khan made her impressive debut in Hindi movies with Ram Gopal Varma's Nishabd' when she was all of 18. She had megastar Amitabh Bachchan as her co-star in the very first movie and became an overnight sensation. The British-American actress was found dead at her residence in Juhu, Mumbai on June 3, 2013. 

The mysterious case of her death remained in news for the longest time and the investigation was led by CBI. Her mother Rabiya Khan and family members alleged that she was killed and not committed suicide as perceived. In 2018, actor and Jiah's then-boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi was charged by the Mumbai court with abetting Khan's suicide. 

The actress was born on February 20, 1988. She would have turned 32 this year. 

(Pic Courtesy: Movie Stills)

Born as Nafisa Rizvi Khan, Jiah changed her name before entering the showbiz world. She was born in New York City to Ali Rizvi Khan, an Indian American businessman, and Rabiya Amin, a Hindi film actress. Jiah Khan has two younger sisters Kavita and Karishma.

The late actress grew up in London and completed her Edexcel O level and A level with five As before her movie career kicked-off. She also studied at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Manhattan but left it midway after bagging a film offer.

Jiah Khan was first offered Dia Mirza's part in Tumsa Nahin Dekha, but later makers felt she was too young to play it. Jiah was 16 at that time. Two years later, she made her debut in Ram Gopal Varma's 'Nishabd' opposite Amitabh Bachchan.

Not many know that it was after watching Ram Gopal Verma's former protege Urmila Matondkar's film Rangeela at the age of six that Jiah Khan decided to become an actress. 

Reports suggest, after Housefull became a commercial hit, Jiah Khan received a few plum offers. In fact, she had signed a film with Ranbir Kapoor by Udhas Singh, titled 'Aap Ka Saaya'. However, it could never be made.