Sajid Khan breaks silence on #MeToo allegations, career struggles and personal losses: “I thought of ending my life many times”
Sajid Khan breaks silence on #MeToo allegations, career struggles and personal losses: “I thought of ending my life many times”
“I thought of ending my life many times in the last 6 years. It’s been extremely bad, in the sense that I’ve been out of work. Despite getting a clearance from Indian Film and Television Directors Association (IFTDA). I’m trying to get back on my feet. I had to sell my house and move to a rented flat because of no earnings. I was 14 when I started earning because my dad (actor, producer, and director, Kamran Khan) passed away, leaving me and (my sister) Farah (Khan Kunder, filmmaker and choreographer) with debts. Today, I wish my mum was alive (Menaka Irani died in 2024) to see me try to get back on my feet. More than her son, I was her caretaker. Life has been quite tough,” says Sajid Khan in a recent conversation.
In 2018, while filming Housefull 4, he faced a barrage of sexual harassment allegations during the #MeToo movement from several women that dramatically altered his life. The flood of accusations, which included reports of inappropriate advances and harassment, completely derailed his career, causing his opportunities to disappear almost instantly.
For six years, he remained silent. That is, until now. With a hint of apprehension in his voice, he shares the impact those years have had on him, affecting him both mentally and physically. He said he chose to remain silent because of his mother.
“They affected me deeply, to the point where I wanted to end my life. But I have no animosity towards anyone. Jo kismat mein likha hota hai, woh hota hai. I’ve endured a lot. Six years of loss — losing my mother, my house… She didn’t just pass away due to illness. She was also weighed down by the mental stress of worrying about me. I feel like I let her down in some way. But now, I just want to move forward with my life,” Sajid talks about the sexual harassment rumors.
His participation in Bigg Boss in 2022 was perceived by many as a strategy to rehabilitate his public image, particularly after he faced suspension from IFTDA in 2018 due to sexual harassment allegations that emerged during the #MeToo movement.
“I didn’t read about that. I don’t read negative reviews. I began my career with a hit film, Heyy Baby (2007), which ironically received negative reviews. When I ventured into TV, a powerful editor went after me, and after the show went off-air, they wrote.You can’t please everyone all the time. That’s just the way life is. Honestly, there were moments when I even contemplated suicide,” he replied to the allegation on clearing his name.
