Sushant Singh Rajput was 34. (Express photo by Dilip Kagda)
The news of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput killing himself has shocked the Indian film industry.
Sushant’s body was found at his Bandra home, Mumbai police confirmed.
Sushant Singh Rajput, who made his acting debut with Star Plus TV show Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil (2008), shot to fame with Zee TV’s popular soap opera Pavitra Rishta. His role of Manav in the Ekta Kapoor serial earned him several awards including Indian Television Academy Awards and BIG Star Entertainment Awards.
Sushant also participated in some reality shows including Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 where he emerged as the first runner-up. He soon made his transition to Bollywood with Kai Po Che (2013) which got him several debut awards.
In a career spanning over a decade, Sushant also became a part of hit projects like Detective Byomkesh Bakshy, Kedarnath, Sonchiriya and Chhichhore among more. His portrayal of former Indian cricket captain MS Dhoni in the biopic M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story remained one of the highlights of his career.
The actor was last seen in Netflix film Drive. His upcoming film, the Hindi remake of Hollywood hit The Fault In Our Stars, is in post-production.
Vir Das shared on Twitter, "Sushant Singh Rajput was a complete outsider who made it from background dancer to a movie star through hard work and talent. That's an amazing and unique true story. Take a moment to remember that above everything. For outsiders, actors struggling, for anyone. That's a legacy."
Neha Dhupita posted on Instagram, "Have a pain in my gutt as I write this. I was somewhere between a fan and a friend. Such a lovely talented young man you were #sushantsinghrajput and you decided to go away too soon. My condolences to the family. Can’t imagine what they must be going thru and can’t even begin to imagine what you must have gone thru. We are all so sorry."
Sharing the above photo, Harshvardhan Kapoor wrote on Instagram, "Struggling to come to terms with this one. Kai po che, Dhoni, Kedarnath and more. you will always be an inspiration for young aspirants. this was from a really memorable night at Huma’s. he made us all laugh so much that night, will be difficult sleeping tonight. RIP bro. hope you’re smiling down on us."
Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram and wrote, "I’m stunned. You must have been in so much pain. I hope you are at peace wherever you are my friend. Gone too soon. Ill never forget our conversations about astrophysics at sunrise..Words cease to make sense. RIP Sushant. My condolences to the family and everyone grieving this huge loss."
"Dear Sushant, there was so much more you had to offer. Perhaps the world was not up to your beliefs.. you should not have gone like this ...but then you were an old wise soul in a restless young body. Often the heavens cannot handle that," Shekhar Kapur said via Twitter.
Chetan Bhagat tweeted, "Sushant, you were a friend and inspiration. You were my favorite. I used to give your example everywhere. I still can't believe this. This should not have happened. Love you always, rest in peace."
Sushant Singh Rajput's last rites will be performed in Mumbai tomorrow after his father and other family members arrive from Patna.
Juuhi Babbar Sonii shared her memories of working with Sushant Singh Rajput in plays. She wrote on Instagram, "I directed Sushant in 2 plays. In 2007 he acted in his first play, #PUKAAR & the other was a comedy, Dauda Dauda Bhaaga Bhaaga sa. Infact he was spotted by a Balaji casting person while he was handling the tickets at the box office counter for one of the plays. TV aur filmstar banney ke baad bhi apne theatre ke dino ke doston se juda raha. Mere ek call par hamesha, behad busy hone ke baavajood, #Ekjutetheatregroup ke shows aur events par pohoch jaata tha. Mujhe Didi bulaata tha..& hamesha bohot pyaar se kehta tha "didi u were my first director" Sushant tumhe dekh kar hamesha kitni khushi hoti thi....yeh kya kiya mere bhai? Aur kyun kiya???????? #ripsushantsinghrajput #sushantsinghrajput #rip #gonetoosoon We will miss u #Sushant #ssr #theatredays #plays #actorslife Memories of Pukaar @sushantsinghrajput @kajribabbar @sonuanand17 @kanchisingh09 @meghanaism @raynachandavarkar @ekjuteytc"
Alia Bhatt shared on Twitter, "I’m in a deep state of shock. No matter how much I think about it, I don’t have the words. I’m totally devastated. You've left us too soon. You will be missed by each and every one of us. My deepest condolences to Sushant's family, loved ones, and his fans."
Following the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput, Sushmita Sen wrote on Instagram, "Look good, show good...be good..ALL THE TIME!! Projection becomes one’s life, both on & off screen. Insecurities grow with name & sometimes, bank balance. All these may be known triggers in an actors life...but it’s actually true about a lot of us from all different walks of life...only differing in magnitude & visibility!! Young people with so much life & promise ahead of them, some with great depth & will power...can choose to take their own life is deeply disturbing. How do we say, we know people & still not see it coming? Have we become experts at hiding our pain or does no one have the time to really SEE it? How lonely & hopeless can prolonged silence make you? Do we alienate a life by judging it constantly? In the race of the projection of “look good, show good, be good” have we lost the most important ability to FEEL GOOD? Life has its share of pressures for EVERYONE...no one is excused that, no matter what your standing!! Life is a graph with its ups & downs for EVERYONE, even if we can’t always see it. Yet, FIGHT FOR LIFE WE MUST...it’s the only vehicle that will help lead us from bad times to GOOD ONES again!!! “WHEN YOU’RE TIRED... LEARN TO REST, NOT QUIT”"
She continued, "We can’t change the world, but we can choose self preservation over the noise, chaos, demands, insensitive scrutinisation & conditioned insecurities....by befriending ourselves, being around people who really LISTEN, having faith in God’s unique plan JUST FOR YOU!!! Be unafraid to ask for help & know that you are NOT ALONE. Building a life demands a lot of faith, courage, resilience & hard work...whereas taking your life just needs a MOMENT of madness...choose to distract yourself from THAT moment...and the love of life ALWAYS returns!!! To all those in pain...PLEASE KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOVED!!! Your life matters...as does your happiness!!! WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR OWN HAPPINESS...let’s choose not to give away that power...a power that reminds us, No matter how bad...this too shall pass!! LIFE IS A GIFT WITH ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES, NEVER GIVE UP!!! There are amazing moments that lie ahead, keep moving forward...I AM ROOTING FOR US!!! I LOVE YOU GUYS!!! DuggaDugga"
R Sarath Kumar posted on Twitter, "It is devastating and depressing whenever a life is lost and it is more so when it is someone who is known and it sure is shocking to hear the the untimely departing of Sushant Singh Rajput. may his soul rest in peace #SushantSinghRajput"
Tahir Raj Bhasin remembered his time with Sushant Singh Rajput on the sets of Chhichhore. He wrote on Instagram, "I will remember you as the boy who dared to dream. Your passionately curious intellect, deep fascination for astronomy and what lies beyond lead to the most awesome on set conversations. You could go from quantum physics to picking up dance choreography in seconds and that is what made you unique. Your journey was inspiring and your insights and advice always generous. The world lost a gem much too soon. Saddened that today you lost what must have been an extremely difficult mental health battle. I hope that in the deafening silence of your demise society wakes up to the need to more urgently and openly address mental health."
Sharing a photo of herself and Sushant Singh Rajput on Instagram, Lauren Gottlieb wrote, "It’s hard to think of my times in India without thinking about Sushant Singh Rajput. He was the first actor I was introduced to, as both of our debut films released 2 weeks apart. He was the actor who first introduced me on the Jhalak stage. He was the first actor who asked me to choreograph his song. I love Sushant deeply for his constant willingness to take those risks with me and step outside of his comfort zone. I will always be grateful for the advice he gave and knowledge he shared. He blew me away when on my very first episode of Jhalak he told the entire audience that he was a fan of mine from when I was on So You Think You Can Dance and his girlfriend was mad he had my photo as his mobile wallpaper. Sushant I’ve been your fan and will always be your fan! RIP Dearest Sushant"
Prateik Babbar took to Instagram and wrote, "cannot fathom what has transpired. my heart is with sushant’s family & loved ones. my heart is with his fans. sushant was a unique spirit. a powerful force to reckon with. he brought the best outta me. thnx for the motivation, the inspiration & the memories champ. i will cherish every moment. my brother. sush. “may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest my sweet brother & flights of angels sing thee to thy rest” #godspeed sushant singh rajput (1986 - 2020) rest in #power.. in #paradise"
"Deeply shocked &saddened by the news of #SushantSinghRajput's untimely & tragic passing. Aside from his talented acting, he was a kind-hearted man who donated Rs 1.25 crores to the CM's relief fund during the Kerala floods. May his loved ones find the strength to bear this loss," Shashi Tharoor said via Twitter.
M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story director Neeraj Pandey tweeted, "One day Sushant dropped in at the office and as I opened my arms for our customary hug, he surprised me by bending and touching my feet. ‘Ab ye kya nautanki hai?' ‘Sir dil kiya aur aaj se jab bhi miloonga, yahi hoga.’ ‘Khush raho.’"
He further wrote, "And since then he kept dropping in and every time he used to reach out, I used to stop him and say - ‘khush raho.’ Obviously, it didn’t work. RIP Sushant. You are a favourite. Will always be. And let me try once again. Jahan bhi ho... khush raho."
Allu Arjun shared on Twitter, "Deeply Saddened by this news. A Good actor who’s work I really admired. Condolences to his Family, near n dear ones. Very deeply disturbed . RIP #SushantSinghRajput"