The sudden heartbreaking demise of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput has sent shockwaves across the country. Industry bigwigs including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar have expressed their condolences and prayers. Disbelieved fans of the actor have been sharing his poems and movie stills ever since the news broke out. While the whole nation is shaken, disturbing speculations surrounding his death have surfaced.
The actor was laid to rest in Mumbai earlier yesterday amidst close friends and family. Reports of Sushant suffering from depression has also kick-started a much needed conversation on mental health. Sushant’s death has come at a tragic time while the country was still recovering from the loss of renowned actors Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor.
The Nepotism Debate
Meanwhile, the topic around Bollywood nepotism has once again reared its ugly head. Some reports suggesting that Sushant felt unwelcomed due to being an outsider have sparked a controversial new Twitter debate.
Renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor pointed out how Sushant felt dejected by people in the industry and would sometimes cry on his shoulder. Sushant’s M.S. Dhoni hairstylist Sapna Bhavani also slammed Bollywood for not lending him a helping hand.
It’s no secret Sushant was going through very tough times for the last few years. No one in the industry stood up for him nor did they lend a helping hand. To tweet today is the biggest display of how shallow the industry really is. No one here is your friend. RIP ✨ pic.twitter.com/923qAM5DkD
— ?????? ?? ???? (@sapnabhavnani) June 14, 2020
Several users took upon themselves to bash Karan Johar, Alia Bhatt for being the reason the actor took this drastic step. One of the famous names included Kangana Ranaut who in a now-viral video, blatantly blamed the Bollywood bigwigs for pushing Sushant to the edge. Some users also claimed that the actor was banned from big production houses which led to his depression.
Also Read: Sushant Singh Was All Set To Play Bhaichung Bhutia In his Next Biopic
However, Sushant was supposed to begin shooting for his next movie with rumored girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty. Filmmaker Anand Kumar also revealed wanting to cast Sushant in Bhaichung Bhutia’s sports biopic. Sushant’s next movie ‘Dil Bechara’ featuring Sanjana Sanghi is all set to release online next month.
Bollywood Reacts
Urging people to take a moment and be kind, Saif Ali Khan, Swara Bhaskar has also jumped in the debate. Saif maintained that the outpouring of sudden love is hard to digest. He also pointed out how the world needs to take a moment to just grief.
“People are failing people constantly. Everyone talking about him, even those saying who failed you or didn’t fail you is, I think, somewhat exploiting his name. To take any stand at the moment, apart from just sorrow, and just saying that I’m really sad that he had no way out except this – any other comment is somewhere manipulating the situation, I feel. You have come across this as an opportunity to take a shot at somebody, and you’re taking a shot.”
Swara Bhasker also took to Twitter to express her opinion about those blaming and abusing Bollywood nepotism. She wrote, “Parts of India Twitter blaming #KaranJohar and #AliaBhatt for the tragic suicide of Sushant – for some silly game played on a frivolous and pointless chat show (that All those people who are now abusing Bollywood nepotism lapped up) is both the height of idiocy and hypocrisy!”
Sushant didn’t leave a note. We don’t know what he went thru. We don’t know the cause. STOP taking out ur frustration using the pain of a troubled person. He didn’t leave a note! Get it? He didn’t want to talk about it. He’s gone. Let him have his peace & his family privacy. 2/n
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) June 15, 2020
While the real reason for the actor’s anguish might remain a mystery forever, it is important to not tarnish and spread hurtful speculations. Sushant was one of the biggest stars to make his mark as an outsider. He must be remembered for his work and passion for cinema and science.