Sushant Singh Rajput was 34. (Photo: Express Archive)
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.ย Deputy Commissioner of Police Abhishek Trimukhe confirmed it was a case of suicide and said the Mumbai Police has begun investigation.
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 TVโs 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.ย 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. In fact, the movie was one of the biggest box office success of his career.
A day after Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Bandra home in Mumbai, the police said the actor had shown symptoms of clinical depression and was consulting a psychiatrist. The investigators said they learnt this after recording the statement of six persons in connection with Rajput’s case.
The police said it was through their statements that they learnt that Sushant Singh Rajput was depressed and had sought counselling. He, however, was not taking any medication.
Neil Nitin Mukesh posted on Twitter, "Honestly lost for words since yesterday. Your Good deeds in silence have ensured that u will b remembered forever. U r a blessed soul. At a young age, u made a mark in an industry that millions only dream of. It is not easy to have achieved what u did. But YOU DID."
He further wrote, "Such a great talent. My condolences with your family, loved ones and all those fans who loved you and will remember you for all eternity. You not only immortalised yourself with great performances but etched a place in everyone’s heart with your sensitivity."
Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh took to Twitter to share, "While the post mortem report says actor @itsSSR committed suicide by hanging himself, there are media reports that he allegedly suffered from clinical depression because of professional rivalry. @MumbaiPolice will probe this angle too."
The Forensic Science Laboratory at Kalina in Mumbai will conduct a probe into the case of alleged suicide by Sushant Singh Rajput and submit its report in 10 days, an official told PTI on Monday.
Casting director and Dil Bechara director Mukesh Chhabra tweeted, 'Sushant was like a brother to me. It is so unfortunate and heartbreaking, and I cannot even put it down in words. Sushant was an introvert, but he was really intelligent and talented beyond words. The industry has lost a gem, an irreplaceable gem. Deeply saddened and shocked. I still can't believe it. Our endless conversations have come to an abrupt end. I hope you are in a better place my brother. Will always miss you and love you.'
Dil Bechara is Sushant Singh Rajput's yet-to-be-released film.
"Young actors are shaken, including me. In a manner and degree that is a little unexpected and unexplained. I can feel it in my bones and flesh, I have seen it in the eyes of the few people I have seen since yesterday, I have heard it in the voices of friends I have spoken to," tweeted the Tripling fame actor Amol Parashar.
Actor Vivek Oberoi paid his last respects to Sushant Singh Rajput.
In a tweet, Chandan Roy Sanyal wrote, "I hope audience and society look at actors beyond flesh from here on . Like James Dean says “Being an actor is the loneliest thing in the world. You are all alone with your concentration and imagination, and that's all you have.” Be kind to us we are not superhuman.Thank You"
Abhishek Kapoor and wife Pragya Kapoor arrived at the funeral of Sushant Singh Rajput. Abhishek and Sushant worked together in Kai Po Che and Kedarnath.
Shraddha Kapoor paid her last respects to Chhichhore co-star Sushant Singh Rajput.
Mukesh Chhabra and Kriti Sanon were seen at Sushant Singh Rajput's funeral in Mumbai.
Ranvir Shorey expressed how it is important to speak about those who have the power in Bollywood. In a series of tweets, he mentioned how it is important to call out "two facedness" of the industry.
Salil Acharya took to Twitter and mentioned, "Nobody is actually a call away ... theyre all 'call u back in 5 mins .. anything important brother?'"