Life is looking up for Sooraj Pancholi both on personal and professional fronts. However, rising above the challenging phase of fighting a decade-long legal case wasn’t easy. Sooraj and his family (parents Zarina Wahab and Aditya Pancholi) heaved a sigh of relief when he was acquitted in the Jiah Khan suicide case by a special CBI court in April this year.

He says, “Only I know what I went through, as only I had to get back home alone, wake up, and fight the scenario again. I couldn’t leave the country due to travel restrictions and as a result, I lost out on films and shows.”

Not only were there travel restrictions, but work offers were reduced as the case continued. Sooraj says, “I understand why producers and people were slightly hesitant. If I were a producer, I would have the same concerns. I have always been realistic. I knew the entertainment industry would not always be glitzy, glamourous, and easy even before I stepped into it, and I was prepared for it. People often say, ‘Log kuch bhi bolenge kya farak padta hai’ and that you needn’t worry when you know that you are not wrong. But at the end of the day, we are all humans, and it does affect us.”

Despite a tumultuous past, Sooraj didn’t lose faith in love. In fact, he surprised us by disclosing that he has been in a steady relationship. He shares, “I think my relationship with Jiah was probably the shortest relationship I have had. After that, I have been in one relationship and it’s been about seven years now, and it is beautiful. There’s nothing in the world that can match up to the feeling of being in love, being taken care of, and doing the same for the other person. For me, this relationship it’s very personal because many have judged me unfairly as a bad lover or partner, but only those close to me know how I am. The general perception is misconstrued. She is not an actress and hence, I wouldn’t want to divulge her identity. Besides, I prefer to keep my relationship private because so much about me is out there already.”

We ask if marriage on the cards, and he says, “Maybe, in a few years.”

On the work front, the actor, who will soon be seen alongside Nimrit Kaur Ahluwalia in a single titled ‘Jaane Jaa’, a recreation of the 70s iconic song ‘Jaane Jaan Dhoondta Phir Raha’ (‘Jawani Diwani’), which has been re-produced by DJ Chetas and sung by Atif Aslam and Asees Kaur, is excited about having a busy year ahead. He looks forward to shooting for a web series (a period drama) and an action film. He says, “I would love to be part of a full-blown action film as I am an ardent fan of this genre.”

Sooraj says, “People chase money or fame as a mark of their success; however, freedom has been the biggest success in my life. I didn’t have that as a 20-year-old boy. Now that I have found it, I truly understand the value of freedom. It’s a relief that my past no longer haunts me.”