Aditya Pancholi questions double standards and rumours, says 'Mere baap koi star nahi hai, iska matlab yeh hahi ki main koi nahi hoon”

Actor Aditya Pancholi in a throwback interaction, had spoken with rare candour about the rumours, labels, and scrutiny that have followed him throughout his career. Addressing how narratives are often built around him without context, the actor questioned why his actions are magnified and judged far more harshly than those of others, especially because he does not come from a film family.During his appearance on the popular interview show ‘Aap Ki Adaalat’, Pancholi had directly confronted the misconceptions surrounding his personal and professional life. Calling out the industry’s double standards, he said, “Mera baap koi star nahi hai, main kisi star ka beta nahi hoon, iska matlab yeh nahi ki main koi nahi hoon”(My father is not a star, I am not a star’s son, but that does not mean I am a nobody). In the same interaction, the actor went on to compare how similar behaviour is perceived differently depending on who is involved. “Koi doosra karta hai toh woh baba hai, bhola hai, aur jab Aditya Pancholi karta hai toh Dawood Ibrahim” (When someone else does it, they are called innocent or naïve, but when Aditya Pancholi does it, he is labelled Dawood Ibrahim). Expressing frustration at exaggerated accusations, he added, “Mere upar koi danga case chal raha hai? Maine kisi masoom bebas jaanwar ki hatya ki hai?” (Is there a riot case against me? Have I killed some innocent, helpless animal?)Pancholi did not deny that he has made errors in life. Instead, he chose honesty over defensiveness. “Jabse main film industry mein aaya hoon, maana maine bohot galat kaam kiye hain, aur har aadmi karta hai” (Since I entered the film industry, I admit I’ve made many mistakes, like every human being does). For him, acknowledging flaws does not justify being turned into a villain through rumours. Highlighting how baseless allegations are often normalised, Pancholi remarked, “Ilzaam toh kuch bhi laga sakte ho… main keh doon ki aap Osama bin Laden ke aadmi ho, toh kya aap ban jaayenge?” (Anyone can make accusations… if I say you work for Osama bin Laden, does that make it true?)Aditya also addressed personal attacks aimed at his wife, actor Zarina Wahab, pointing out how religion was unfairly dragged into the narrative. “Meri biwi 17 saal ki umar se film industry mein kaam kar rahi hai” (My wife has been working in the film industry since she was 17). He continued, “Muslim aurat hone ki wajah se likha gaya ki woh Dawood Ibrahim ko rakhi baandhti hai” (Because she is a Muslim woman, it was written that she ties rakhi to Dawood Ibrahim), calling such claims absurd and malicious.Concluding his remarks, Pancholi reflected on power, truth, and perspective. “Mumbai ki police agar chaahe, toh main kya cheez hoon, woh Dawood Ibrahim ko bhi pakad ke laa sakti hai”(If the Mumbai police want to, I am insignificant; they can even bring Dawood Ibrahim). Drawing a sharp contrast between image and reality, he added, “Angry young man dekhiye aur meri haalat dekhiye” (Look at the ‘angry young man’ image and then look at my real condition).Aditya Pancholi is known for playing intense villainous and character roles in numerous films since the late 1980s. Key films include 'Yes Boss' (1997), 'Race 2' (2013), 'Bajirao Mastani' (2015), 'Jai Ho' (2014), and 'Bodyguard' (2011). His career spans from early roles in 'Qatil' (1988) to later roles in 'Dishkiyaoon' (2014).