Shock revelation in Indian media interview
Bollywood actor Faisal Khan, the younger brother of superstar Aamir Khan, has alleged that he was confined to his brother’s Mumbai home for an entire year. In a recent interview with Indian media, Faisal claimed that the family justified this by saying he was suffering from schizophrenia and posed a potential danger to society.
The startling disclosure has reignited public discussion about mental health awareness in India — and how families handle disputes involving celebrity members.
“They took away my phone and freedom”
According to Faisal, his family insisted he was mentally unstable and needed to be kept under strict supervision. He said this led to him being treated “like a prisoner” inside Aamir Khan’s residence.
“They took away my phone, so I couldn’t speak to anyone,” he said in the interview. “I wasn’t allowed to step outside the house. Guards stood outside my room, bringing me medicines and ensuring I couldn’t leave.”
Faisal said he repeatedly pleaded with Aamir for his release. Eventually, after a year, he was moved to another house.
Alleged isolation from family support
Faisal also expressed disappointment with his father, filmmaker Tahir Hussain, who he said did not intervene. “I hoped my father would help, but he was living with his second wife, and there was no way to reach him,” Faisal alleged.
He added that the experience left him feeling abandoned and betrayed by those closest to him.
Context: A strained sibling relationship
Faisal Khan, who appeared in films such as Mela (2000) alongside Aamir Khan and Twinkle Khanna, has had a complicated history with his family. Reports of disagreements date back to the early 2000s, when Faisal’s career did not take off in the same way as his brother’s.
In 2007, Indian media reported that Faisal was involved in a legal battle over his guardianship, after his family claimed he had mental health issues. Faisal publicly denied having schizophrenia, insisting he was capable of living independently.
Mental health stigma in India
India has long faced challenges in addressing mental health, where conditions like schizophrenia are often poorly understood and heavily stigmatised. According to the National Mental Health Survey of India (2015–16), nearly 1.9% of the adult population suffers from severe mental disorders, yet awareness and access to treatment remain limited.
Experts say families sometimes resort to controlling measures when they believe a relative is mentally ill, especially when public image and reputation are at stake. However, critics argue such actions can violate an individual’s rights and exacerbate emotional trauma.
No immediate response from Aamir Khan
As of now, Aamir Khan has not issued a public statement in response to Faisal’s latest claims. The actor, known for films like Lagaan, 3 Idiots and Dangal, maintains a generally private personal life, despite being one of India’s most recognizable film stars.
The fresh allegations may reignite debates over both the ethics of family interventions in mental health cases and the pressures faced by those living in the shadow of Bollywood fame.
