The internet has a habit of writing off celebrities the second they step out of the spotlight, but Deepak Tijori is stepping in to stop the latest wave of viral gossip. The actor and director officially cleared the air regarding the health of his longtime friend and Aashiqui co-star, Rahul Roy, following a string of concerning social media posts. The rumors suggested Roy was struggling physically and financially, but Tijori put a hard stop to the speculation on Thursday.
Speaking directly to IANS, Tijori confirmed that he speaks with his former co-star frequently. “I am in regular touch with Roy… he is perfectly safe; he is perfectly fine,” Tijori stated. He brushed off the viral panic as a product of “people making news for no reason.” He chalked up the fake narratives to the unfortunate realities of the entertainment trade, where unverified chatter often eclipses the actual safety and well-being of the actors involved.
The recent concern didn’t just appear out of nowhere. A few recent videos of Roy surfaced online showing him speaking and moving differently, which triggered a mix of genuine fan concern and insensitive trolling. Roy’s road to recovery has been a very public and grueling one since he suffered a severe brain stroke in 2020 while filming the movie LAC – Live The Battle in Kargil. He has spent the last few years quietly working on his rehabilitation away from the daily grind of the Mumbai film industry.
Before Tijori even had to step in, Roy himself had to set the record straight about his living situation. Addressing bizarre online claims that his family had abandoned him, Roy confirmed he is currently living in Madh Island with his sister and brother-in-law, who provide his full support system. He also had to explain that his recent choice to travel around the city by auto-rickshaw was simply a personal preference, not a sign of financial ruin.