Sohail Khan, an actor and producer, has revealed that he was sexually abused as a child and never told anyone about the incident until he spoke to his father about it .
On the reality show Alliance on Prime Video, he said that the incident caused him feelings of guilt and shame, even though he was the victim. He confessed that he had difficulties bringing up the issue for many years.
Sharing the experience of his conversation with Salim khan, Sohail revealed that Salim got shocked to find out how long his son had kept the dark reality of his life secret and how hard it was for him.
Sohail said, “I was sexually harassed by somebody when I was young and I kept that within me for years. When I grew up and became an adult, I confided in my father. I told him, ‘Daddy, this happened to me.’ He said, ‘Beta, tune itne saalon tak apne andar rakha isse (Son, you kept this inside you for so many years).’ I said, ‘I am so sorry, but I was so embarrassed to say it.’ I was not at fault, but I felt ashamed. So I keep telling my children, no matter what happens, tell me everything.”
At 55, Sohail mentioned that his personal experiences play a significant role in the way he raises his sons, Nirvaan and Yohan. Sohail encourages his sons to open up about anything bothering them and hopes they won’t feel the need to bottle up their emotions like he did.
In his conversation, Sohail pointed out that people who have gone through traumatic experiences often end up blaming themselves for what has happened. This explains why he believes that breaking this silence is the first step on the path towards healing and encourages parents to create a safe space for their kids.
He admitted that the revelation comes as part of his ongoing stint on Alliance where he has been discussing his life. In the past episodes, he talked about his close relationship with his parents and his fear of losing them and the reunion with his ex-wife, Seema Sajdeh, which did not go unnoticed.
Meanwhile, hosted by Kunal Kemmu, Alliance continues to feature emotional conversations alongside intense gameplay by the contestants.
