Mumbai: Sooraj Pancholi has opened up about the backlash he says he has faced since being linked to the Disha Salian death case, claiming that he has been subjected to online abuse and even received death threats.
Addressing the controversy once again, the actor reiterated that he has never met Disha Salian or Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray.
Pancholi said the online trolling has continued despite his repeated clarifications about his alleged connection to the case.
He wrote, “I am saying this one more time, and I have to repeat myself because clearly people still don’t understand when I say this. I have never met late Disha Salian or Aditya Thackeray in my life. Not once. Not directly. Not indirectly! And yet, the online abuse hasn’t stopped. I have been called every possible name and have even received death threats, with people assuming that I must be scared. I am not scared.”
Pancholi’s statement comes amid renewed attention to the case after the Bombay High Court ordered a CBI probe into Disha Salian’s death and directed the agency to register an FIR. The court, however, clarified that no individual should be treated as an accused unless established otherwise.
The actor also spoke about his efforts to rebuild his career, saying he does not intend to remain silent over the controversy surrounding his name.
He wrote, “I have spent years watching my name being dragged into things I had absolutely nothing to do with. I have already lost years of my life, years I can never get back! And now, when I am finally trying to rebuild my life, my career and my future, I refuse to stay silent and watch it happen all over again. If I was scared, I would have stayed quiet like many others. But I am doing the exact opposite! Because I have clearly nothing to hide or run away from! I am standing up for myself because I know that my heart is clean. At the end of the day, it is my name, my life and my future that I have to live with.”
He further appealed to investigating agencies to conduct a thorough probe, while saying he was willing to face legal consequences if evidence established any involvement on his part.
He wrote, “I also cannot ignore what I have been seeing. It is clear to me that a lot of the hatred and attempts to drag my name into this are because of issues certain people have with members of my family. Whatever those issues may be, please do not make me pay for them. I have no personal issues with anybody. I have no political alliances, no political agenda and no interest in protecting or attacking anyone.”
Pancholi added, “So I PLEASE request the investigating agencies for just one thing. Please investigate this matter thoroughly, completely and without any further delay. If there is even one small piece of evidence or any involvement connecting me to this matter, I am willing to face whatever punishment the law decides, without any questions.”
The actor also urged the media to exercise caution and fairness while reporting on the case.
He wrote, “But if the investigation by the investigating agencies establishes that I genuinely have nothing to do with it, then I request the investigating agencies and the so called ‘HONEST MEDIA’ to please say that loud and clearly.”
Pancholi said he was particularly upset by what he described as speculation surrounding his name, adding that media coverage has consequences for those directly involved.
He wrote, “This may be entertainment or a dinner time story for some people, but this is my life! Behind every headline, every accusation and every piece of speculation is a real human being who has to live with the consequences.”
In the caption accompanying the post, Pancholi clarified that the statement did not necessarily cover everything he wanted to address.
He also said he had intended to share it before his Instagram account was blocked, a development he said he still does not understand.
Disha Salian, who had briefly worked as Sushant Singh Rajput’s manager, died in June 2020, a few days before the actor’s death.
Salian was reported to have fallen from a building in Mumbai’s Malad area.
Her death was initially treated as accidental, and the Mumbai Police investigation did not find evidence of foul play.
The matter resurfaced after Salian’s father, Satish Salian, approached the Bombay High Court seeking a fresh investigation.
On September 2, 2026, the court directed the CBI to investigate the matter and register an FIR.