Faisal Khan Announces Split from Family
Faisal Khan, younger brother of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, has publicly declared that he is severing all ties with his family. In a strongly worded statement, Faisal said he would not seek any share in the family’s inheritance or accept financial support from his brother.
“I have decided to live independently. I will neither stay in Aamir Khan’s home nor take any monetary help,” he said.
The 56-year-old actor, who briefly appeared in Bollywood films during the 1990s and early 2000s, has long had a strained relationship with his famous family. His latest announcement once again brings their troubled history into the spotlight.
Allegations of Forced Medication and Confinement
Faisal alleged that between 2005 and 2007, he was forcibly given psychiatric medication against his will and kept under house arrest. These claims were earlier highlighted when he said he was confined for nearly a year at Aamir Khan’s Mumbai residence, as reported here. According to him, this period was marked by a loss of freedom and dignity.
“In October 2007, when there was an attempt to take away my signing authority, I had no choice but to leave home,” he recalled.
He also accused his family of spreading false allegations that damaged his reputation in the film industry. Faisal maintains that these actions were aimed at portraying him as mentally unstable.
Aamir Khan’s Family Responds
In response, Aamir Khan’s family rejected Faisal’s claims, describing them as “misleading and painful.” The family stressed that every decision concerning Faisal’s wellbeing was taken in consultation with medical professionals.
“All measures regarding Faisal were guided by doctors and taken with compassion,” the family said in a statement. They also urged the media not to sensationalise the dispute, but rather to report it with sensitivity and empathy.
Court Intervention in 2008
This is not the first time Faisal’s allegations have surfaced. In 2008, a Mumbai court dismissed his claims against the family after a lengthy legal battle. The court ruled that the evidence did not support Faisal’s accusations of wrongful confinement and coercion.
The judgment allowed Faisal to regain his independence, but the dispute left a lasting impact on his public image. Despite occasional attempts to return to acting, his career never fully recovered.
Plans for Legal Action
Faisal has now hinted at further legal steps. Reacting to what he described as “targeted statements” against him in recent media reports, he announced his intention to pursue fresh legal proceedings next month.
His move could potentially reopen old wounds within one of Bollywood’s most prominent families. Aamir Khan, often called the “perfectionist” of Indian cinema, has remained largely silent on the matter.
Background: A Troubled Sibling Relationship
Faisal Khan entered Bollywood in the late 1980s but struggled to find success. His most notable appearance was alongside Aamir in the 2000 film Mela, which failed at the box office. Since then, he has mostly stayed out of the industry, occasionally resurfacing in minor projects.
Tensions with his family escalated in the mid-2000s when concerns over his mental health led to court proceedings. While Faisal maintains he was victimised, the family insists their actions were motivated by concern.
The feud has played out intermittently in the media, highlighting the challenges of balancing mental health, family responsibilities, and public life in India’s entertainment industry.
Mental Health and Bollywood
Faisal’s story also reflects a broader issue in Bollywood. Several actors, including Deepika Padukone and Anushka Sharma, have spoken about mental health struggles in recent years. India has one of the world’s highest mental health burdens, with the World Health Organization estimating that nearly 7.5% of Indians suffer from some form of mental disorder.
In this context, the Khan family dispute has sparked renewed debate about how mental health is perceived, managed, and often sensationalised in the public sphere.
Looking Ahead
As Faisal prepares for possible legal action, the future of his relationship with Aamir Khan and the wider family remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is that the rift has become deeply personal and now stretches over nearly two decades.
For now, Faisal insists he seeks only independence and peace. But given the family’s high-profile status, the matter is unlikely to fade from public attention anytime soon.
