Exclusive - Fahmaan Khan on his brother Faraaz Khan's death: It was “black fungus” that killed him; he passed away 6 months before the virus was discovered

Fahmaan Khan became a household name after the popularity of his character Aryan Singh Rathore from Imlie. However, not many know that it was his brother Faraaz Khan, who inspired him to become an actor. Recently, in an exclusive interview with ETimes TV, Fahmaan opened up about how despite his brother belonging to the film industry couldn't help him bag a project. He also spoke about his bond with his brother Faraaz, the difficult phase when he was admitted to the hospital for 28 days and his death. (Photo: Instagram)

My brother and my journeys belong to different times so I did not get any help from him being a Bollywood actor. Every person I met who my brother knew told me things that made me feel crap. There was one person who told me something which has stayed with me. When I told him I’m very passionate about acting, Dil se karna chahta hoon, he replied to me that if you are that passionate why are you here go back and work in theatre. Why are you here? That time I realised he didn’t want to help me and I felt he could have directly told me he didn’t want to help me why say such a hurtful thing. I asked for help from him because he was my brother’s friend and I was very young at that time and I was very hurt. (Photo: Instagram)

Agar Mujhe help Leni hoti toh I would have been a film actor. My brother was a film actor, but I decided to start my journey with the TV industry where I knew no one. I decided on my own journey because one day when I look back I want to be proud of it. Today, my parents are proud of me because I’ve managed to make it here after going through all the rejections and failures. I made it despite all odds and with a smile on my face. No matter how big the problem was, I smiled and handled it. (Photo: Instagram)

My brother was there and he saw my small and initial achievement. Whether it was doing theatre or coming to Mumbai and doing shows. I always spoke to him whenever I faced any difficulties. I wish he was here to see this part of my journey. He told me that he won’t help me in my career. Tujhe jis bhi dost ko milna hai mil lena if they help you it is okay but I won’t call anyone for help. At that time I felt bad but now I realise he wanted me to do things on my own. He believed I could do it. (Photo: Instagram)

My brother was in the hospital for 28 days before he passed away. First of all I want to tell people that it was “black fungus” that killed him. He passed away when it was not even discovered during the COVID this new virus had spread. He passed away 6 months before it was discovered. The 28 days he was in the hospital we all were preparing ourselves in different ways. We were accepting that his health is deteriorating each and every day. (Photo: Instagram)

The last conversation that I had with him I had recorded on my phone and he didn’t remember my name. It was a very heartbreaking conversation that I’d with him. I was shooting for Apna Time Aayega and he asked me about my work. First thing he asked was my name,“Shiaz right I’m taking to (it is my nickname)”. I was shocked the man who has been my confidante all my life how could he forget my name. It was important at that point to understand that he didn’t want to live that way. We were prepared for the outcome. But I still believe he is always around me. He watches everything I’m doing and is always smiling from above. (Photo: Instagram)

When he passed away I went back to Bangalore and I had just got a one day break as I was doing a daily soap “Apna Time Aayega '' and it was a tight schedule so I’d to come back and shoot for the telecast. He passed away in the night and morning I travelled to Bangalore and next morning I was back on the sets. I knew that he wanted us to not cry or do anything in front of his body. (Photo: Instagram)

When I came back I was asked to do a scene where I had to look at my onscreen mother’s photo and feel remorse. My director played a song “Behti hawa sa tha Woh” and that destroyed me. (Gets emotional) joh phir emotions aaye Woh real the…the entire situation was very bad and he didn’t say cut. I kept crying and he came from behind and hugged me. He asked me to go home and that night I wept badly because I was alone. In Bangalore I had to be a stronger person. I couldn't cry at his funeral as I had to console everyone else. Here I was alone. Over the years I’ve realised that the answers I keep asking for small things in life, he helps me with them in different ways. People call it energy, God, Allah, but I feel for me it is him. (Photo: Instagram)