Former actress Sana Khan, known for films such as Jai Ho and Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, and the web series Special OPS, has once again spoken out against claims that she was “brainwashed” into quitting Bollywood and changing her life. Sana, who rose to fame after Bigg Boss 6, left the entertainment industry in 2020 at the peak of her career, citing a desire to “serve humanity and follow the orders of my Creator.”
In a recent conversation with Rashami Desai, Sana reflected on her decision to step away from showbiz, her discreet marriage to Muslim cleric Mufti Anas Sayed, and the persistent online narrative suggesting that her choices were influenced or imposed.
‘Nobody knew, not even the groom’s name’
Speaking about her wedding, Sana revealed just how secretive the entire process was, with only her parents aware of the details.
“When our marriage was finalized, it was a top secret, nobody knew except for my mom and dad. Nobody even knew the groom’s name,” she said.
She recalled an unusual moment during her mehndi ceremony, adding, “When I was applying mehndi, the mehndi artist asked me what the groom’s name was. I told her to leave it blank, we’ll write it next time.”
‘This was not something caused by my husband’
Addressing the widespread assumption that her husband influenced her drastic life decisions, Sana firmly rejected the notion. She explained that her exit from the industry was rooted in a personal transformation that began well before her marriage.
“The situation was such that major changes were happening in my life. I was literally transforming into a different person,” she said, before stressing, “And this was not something caused by my husband, it was something I wanted for myself. He was the one who guided me in that direction.”
Sana shuts down ‘brainwashing’ allegations
Responding directly to trolls who accused her husband of “brainwashing” her, Sana didn’t mince her words.
“Nobody can brainwash you; it’s never like that. I wanted peace,” she stated.
She elaborated on what drove her decision, saying, “A person may get money, fame, name, and respect, but eventually, they keep searching for inner peace.”
Reflecting further on how her mindset evolved, Sana added, “They say that when your surroundings aren’t right, your decisions also tend to be wrong. As time passed, I learned a few things, and that’s why I value my relationship with him so much.”
‘I could have never found anyone better than him’
Sana also spoke emotionally about her bond with her husband, underlining that the decision, though difficult, felt right to her.
“I keep telling my husband that I could have never found anyone better than him. It was indeed a tough decision, but I went for it,” she said.
Even members of her extended family were unaware of her marriage. Recalling a moment of surprise, Sana shared, “When my cousins saw him in the mosque, they called my cousin sister and said, ‘This is Maulana Anas!’”
She also clarified details around the wedding arrangements, noting, “Except for the mehndi, which I paid for myself, all the expenses—the nikah, accommodation and food for my family, and the reception—everything was taken care of by my husband.”Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the
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