Tunisha Sharma’s mother is to be blamed, says Sheezan’s family

Sheezan Khan’s family addresses the media at Laxmi Industrial Estate, Andheri on Monday. Pic/Shadab Khan

Actor Sheezan Khan's family has come out in support of Khan, who has been accused of abetting the suicide of his co-worker and former girlfriend Tunisha Sharma. They alleged that it was Sharma's mother Vanita who pushed her to take her own life by forcing her to work as an actor even when she was a child. They further claimed that Vanita did not care for Sharma or her mental health. Khan's lawyer, said that they would soon file a bail application.

Sharma hanged herself to death at a Vasai studio on December 24. The incident came on the heels of her break up with Khan. Sharma's mother, Vanita, had alleged that Sharma took the extreme step due to the break up and further claimed that Sharma was forced to wear hijab and that Khan had allegedly cheated on Sharma.

(From left) Tunisha Sharma, her mother Vanita, Sheezan Khan's mother Kahekshan Faisi, and Sheezan Khan

Khan's family members - his mother Kahekshan Faisi and two sisters Falaq and Shafaq Naaz - shared their response to the allegations at a press conference on Monday. They said, "Tunisha started her career as an actor at the tender age of 10. Her mother Vanita wanted to become an actor but as she failed, she pinned her hopes on Tunisha and forced her to work as an actor."

Also read: Tunisha Sharma death case: Actress had anxiety, OCD

"Sharma suffered from anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder and needed treatment, but her mother never gave her the required treatment. She kept forcing her to continue work for money and hurt her many times," they alleged.

Speaking about the day the incident took place, Khan's family said, "Tunisha wanted to go out to celebrate Christmas on December 24, but her mother forced her to stay and sign new shoots. Tunisha was very sad about this. In fact, just 10 days before this, she had a panic attack and had to be hospitalised. When we visited her then, her mother said it was due to work stress. We even suggested to her mother to not force her to work and give her some time to enjoy life."

The family also alleged that they have an audio clip where Sharma could be heard crying due to her mother. They said that Vanita would always pick fights with her despite Sharma amassing properties worth Rs 16 crore.

Khan's mother said, "When Tunisha was in Ladakh for a shoot, her mother would call her frequently and kept asking about her whereabouts. Vanita never left Tunisha alone. And if she did not answer her phone, Vanita would call crew members. Tunisha wanted freedom to work and live a peaceful life, but her mother did not let her."

Khan's family further claimed that they had a good relationship with Tunisha and that she would share her problems with them. "Tunisha was fed up with her life. Sheezan was supporting her and her career as a friend and a boyfriend. It is true that they broke up but it was mutual and they did not fight with each other. Also, Vanita's allegation that Sheezan slapped her is false. In fact, Tunisha and Sheezan ticked off one of the things on her bucket list together," they said.

When asked about the allegation of forcing Sharma to wear a hijab and the relevant photo, they said it was part of a shoot and added that the episode where Sharma had to wear the headscarf has been telecast and a copy of the same has been submitted to Waliv police as evidence.

Refuting allegations that Khan had multiple girlfriends, his lawyer Shailendra Mishra said, "Sheezan didn't have any other girlfriend and he didn't cheat on Tunisha. It was a mutual break up. Whatever chat Sheezan deleted from his phone is being recovered by the cops and the truth will come out. We will file a bail application to get Sheezan out soon. Sheezan and his family have no role in Tunisha's death."

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Day in December when Sharma killed herself