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.
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.
TV actor Abigail Pandey posted a photo featuring Sushant Singh Rajput, and wrote, "People you love, never really leave you. Thank you for teaching me friendship sushu. Till we meet again"
Mahesh Shetty, who is said to have spoken to Sushant Singh Rajput before the actor passed away, in shock and completely heartbroken. His PR team took to his social media to post a message that read, "As we all are deeply pained and shocked to hear about Sushant Singh Rajput's untimely demise... So is Mahesh Shetty. He has lost a brother, a very dear friend and is still coming to terms with the shock and reality and is completely heartbroken. We, his team, request the media and all of you, on his behalf, to please give him some privacy and let him greive for his loss."
Sapna Pabbi bid goodbye to Sushant Singh Rajput with a beautiful post on Instagram. "He wanted the moon, but I don’t think he ever realised that at times he was the moon. He was the warmest moon, sitting in the corner reading his space book. My moonlit friend, my space man, my fellow quantum buddy, you star; I hope you’ve reached your destination now. This goodbye is too painful for words. May your beautiful soul rest in peace," she wrote.
Sushant Singh Rajput's father has left from his residence in Patna. He is heading to Mumbai to perform last rites of his son.
Remebering Sushant Singh Rajput, Bhumi Pednekar shared a still from the film Sonchiriya and wrote, "Rest in Peace my friend... Shocked and Heart broken...Still can’t believe it...To star gazing and our endless chats...am going to spot you twinkling bright up there with the rest cause you are and will always be a star my dearest SSR"
Mouni Roy on Instagram wrote, "Let’s just be kind... shocked beyond belief..Deepest condolences to the family.. Rest in peace Sushant"
Arjun Kapoor shared the screenshot of his conversation with Sushant Singh Rajput and wrote, '18 months ago... My last msg to him was when he posted about his mom a week after the release of Kedarnath. He was missing her I assume while the movie was being celebrated. I didn’t know him well enough though our paths crossed at yrf, events & screenings every now & then. I can’t say I understood what made him make this choice. I can say I felt the pain he did about losing his bearings & feeling that void of his mother. I hope ur in a better & happier space my friend. I hope u have found ur peace. We will all wonder & try & make sense of what happened today. I just hope & pray that when the circus settles down we as a society in due course realise ur choice wasn’t driven by one singular moment or thing but a culmination of so much that defines a human being not just by the profession u were in. Rest my dear brother Sushant you are now I hope at peace.'
In a series of tweets, Shraddha Das wrote about how it is "foolish to expect true and unflinching love, loyalty and friendship" in the film industry. "If you ever go to a filmi party, you will realise people don't look beyond what you are wearing and how you are looking and how happening or influential you are. And once you get sucked into it, you want that fake approval again and again. These are not and can never be your real friends," wrote Shraddha in one of her tweets.
Actor Tisca Chopra on Instagram expressed how "deeply shocked" she is at the passing of Sushant Singh Rajput. "We will never know what drove him to this. But what we do know is that this is a time to reach out to near and dear ones and tell them they are needed and loved deeply. And dear Sushant, hope you are surrounded by angels who soothe your aching soul. RIP" Chopra wrote.
Yami Gautam took to Instagram and wrote, "Never knew Sushant personally & yet devastated & still shocked...heart-breaking .. the pain & grief of family members must be beyond words..Rest in peace, Sushant. Prayers & Strength"
Sharing a picture of Sushant Singh Rajput, Neha Sharma wrote, "I didn’t know him personally but extremely shocked and saddened by the news of Sushant’s passing. This is a horrible tragedy and is a huge loss for all the lives he touched. This is also a reminder that we need to take care of our mental health as much as physical health and let’s reach out and make sure that our loved ones know we are there for them.Sushant was a rare talent and will be missed by so many of us. Here’s requesting everyone to be sensitive and let’s ensure we allow his family and everyone close to him to grieve and mourn in private. May his soul rest in peace."
YouTuber Prajakta Koli took to Instagram and promised 'to lend an ear' because she feels most of us need to be heard.
Farah Khan, remembering Sushant Singh Rajput, shared adorable photos on Instagram. "Can’t still believe.. but I know somewhere your mother is hugging you n keeping you safe. Be at peace my dearest," she mentioned.
In a video, Sanjana Sanghi remembered Sushant Singh Rajput, her co-star in debut film Dil Bechara. She said, "He used to tell me after every schedule that he wants to see me go far and I have infinite potential. We spoke about what we want to do for education for children in India. I promise you that everyone is going to be grateful for the work you have left behind."
Armaan Malik remembered Sushant Singh Rajput in a post on Instagram.
In a long note, Dipika Kakar Ibrahim spoke about how she was an admirer and a fan of Sushant Sing Rajput, starting from Pavitra Rishta then Kai Po Che, MS Dhoni The Untold Story and so on. "I really don't know what lead Sushant into depression and then into this drastic step, but this is a shock for all of us. I will miss him. Stay strong, stay safe and please talk. You are precious to your parents and loved ones," she wrote in the post.