Sushant Singh Rajput dies: Bollywood mourns loss, calls for better dialogue on mental health

Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput has died at the age of 34. He was found hanging in his Bandra home on Sunday.

Actor Sushant Singh Rajput has died at 34. As per the Mumbai Police, the actor hanged himself at his Bandra residence. Bollywood celebrities and Sushant’s friends mourned his demise.

Sushant Singh Rajput has died at the age of 34. He was known for films such as MS Dhoni: An Untold Story and Kai Po Che.

Sushant had dropped out of engineering to pursue acting as a career and honed his acting skills at Barry John Acting School. He rose to fame with television show Pavitra Rishta and he had found his break in Bollywood with the movie Kai Po Che! Later, he acted in MS Dhoni: An Untold Story- a biographical film on the former Indian cricket captain.

On Sunday, Dattatreya Bargude, assistant commissioner of police confirmed his death, and said that no ‘note’ was found from his residence.

Priyanka Chopra, Alia Bhatt react to Sushant’s death

Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra shared pictures of Sushant to express grief over his death. “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,” wrote Priyanka.

“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,” wrote Alia.

Shaheen Bhatt calls for sensitivity around celebrity deaths

 

Alia Bhatt’s sister and author Shaheen Bhatt called for the media and fans to give family and friends space to mourn their loved ones. She asked them not to share their pictures and be more sensitive in their time of grief.

DTU to organise online prayer meeting in memory of actor

Sushant’s alma mater Delhi Technological University (DTU) is planning to organise an online prayer meeting in his memory. The actor had enrolled at DTU in 2003, which was then known as Delhi College of Engineering, but dropped out in three years to pursue his showbiz dreams.

Salman Khan tweets condolences

Salman Khan expressed grief in a tweet. “U will be missed ... #RIPSushant,” he wrote.

Deepika Padukone tweets about mental health

Without naming Sushant, Deepika made social media posts about mental health and the need to seek help. “As a person who has had a lived experience with mental illness, I cannot stress enough about the importance of reaching out. Talk.Communicate.Express.Seek help. Remember, You are not alone. We are in this together. And most importantly, there is Hope,” she posted. Deepika has previously talked about battling depression multiple times.

Sushant’s 50 dreams

A handwritten list of 50 dreams shared by actor Sushant Singh Rajput in September 2019 is being widely shared online. The late actor dreamt of teaching women self-defence, sending kids to study at NASA, among other things.

Read full story here.

Sushant’s television colleagues mourn his death

Many from the television industry condoled Sushant’s demise. In an emotional Instagram post, Rashami Desai called it a ‘personal loss’. She wrote, “Sush!! Not fair.. Sucha talented, hardworking, brilliant person and a dear friend.. it’s a personal loss. #RipSushant.”

Read full story here.

Sushant’s sister arrives at hospital

Sushant Singh Rajput’s sister Nitu was seen at the hospital. His father is in Patna and as per a report in IANS, his health has deteriorated.

Amit Sadh tweets

Sushant’s Kai Po Che co-star Sushant Singh Rajput also tweeted about the actor. “I am sorry... I did not come to your rescue... Will regret all my life for not reaching out! Right now very sad but will cherish the time we shared filming Kai po che...Rest in peace bhai,” he wrote.

Sonu Sood asks media not to sensationalise Sushant’s death

“Today we lost a friend, a colleague & this loss is irreparable.I request my friends from the media not to sensationalise this,I request everyone not to share images.A boy who came to this city with dreams in his eyes and achieved so much has left us forever.Let him go in peace,” Sonu wrote in a tweet.

Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan share condolences

Actor couple Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ai Khan shared their condolences on Sushant’s death on her Instagram account. “This is such terrible news. Praying you find peace Sushant. Strength to his family. Saif and Kareena,” they wrote. “He was way too young with talent and intelligence and a whole life ahead . Terrible that he felt that this was the way out . Very very sad,” Saif said.

Parineeti Chopra, Vaani Kapoor react

 

Sushant Singh Rajput’s Shuddh Desi Romance co-stars Parineeti Chopra and Vaani Kapoor reacted to his death. “My first ever Co actor! It’s heartbreaking. Lots of love ..RIP,” wrote Vaani. “Sush I will miss you buds,” wrote Parineeti.

Celebs fume over Sushant’s pictures being shared online

Bollywood celebs are furious at pictures of Sushant being circulated online and shown on television news. Vikrant Massey tweeted, “Can you please f**king stop this ridiculous thing you call journalism??? You make me sick in the gut...You’re actually showing pictures of #sushant lying dead in his bed?” Farah Khan tweeted, “My friend #SushantSinghRajput has died tragically at a very young age!! STOP Circulating pictures of his death! This is a tragedy NOT entertainment!! Is this the world we live in now??!”

Read the Hindustan Times obit for Sushant Singh Rajput

Despite ranking seventh in the All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE), Sushant was more inclined towards a career in the arc lights than engineering. He dropped out of engineering college in his third year and joined Nadira Babbar’s theatre group Ekjute, performing in plays for two and a half years.

Read the full HT obituary here.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s best works

Sushant Singh Rajput delivered his biggest hit, Nitesh Tiwari’s Chhichhore last year, less than a year before his untimely death on Sunday. Check out a list of his best works here.

Shah Rukh Khan tweets about Sushant

 

“He loved me so much...I will miss him so much. His energy, enthusiasm and his full happy smile. May Allah bless his soul and my condolences to his near and dear ones. This is extremely sad....and so shocking,” Shah Rukh wrote in his tweet.

Kejriwal offers condolences

“The tragic and shocking death of India’s rising star #SushantSinghRajput has left millions of his fans devastated. The masterly performances of his film and TV career will forever be remembered. May his friends and family have the strength to cope with this loss. RIP,” wrote Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Karan Johar tweets about Sushant

Fillmmaker Karan Johar expressed regret about not keeping in touch with Sushant. “I blame myself for not being in touch with you for the past year..... I have felt at times like you may have needed people to share your life with...but somehow I never followed up on that feeling,” he wrote.

Anushka Sharma tweets condolences

Sushant’s PK co-star Anushka Sharma tweeted her condolences. “Sushant, you were too young and brilliant to have gone so soon. I’m so sad and upset knowing that we lived in an environment that could not help you through any troubles you may have had. May your soul rest in peace,” she wrote. “At this time of immense tragedy, I would request the media to be sensitive towards Sushant’s family and friends. I urge everyone to respect their emotions and let them grieve,” she added in another tweet.

Police takes actor’s mortal remains for post-mortem

Sushant Singh Rajput’s mortal remains taken in an ambulance. (HT photo/Anshuman Poyrekar)

The Mumbai police took mortal remains of Sushant in an ambulance for postmortem from his residence at Bandra in Mumbai.

Virat Kohli tweets about Sushant’s death

“Shocked to hear about Sushant Singh Rajput. This is so difficult to process. May his soul RIP and may god give all the strength to his family and friends,” wrote Virat Kohli in a tweet.

PM offers condolences

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences on Sushant’s death. “Sushant Singh Rajput...a bright young actor gone too soon. He excelled on TV and in films. His rise in the world of entertainment inspired many and he leaves behind several memorable performances. Shocked by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and fans. Om Shanti,” he wrote in a tweet.

Fans gather outside actor’s home

A crowd of fans was seen outside Sushant’s home on Sunday late afternoon. NDTV journalist Rohit Khilnani tweeted the picture.

 

Ekta Kapoor expresses shock

Film and television producer, who gave Sushant his big break on TV, shared a comment he shared on his one week ago. “Not fair sushi ! One week everything changed ! Not fair my baby,” she wrote.

 

Sushant’s last Instagram post

Earlier this month, the actor had shared a post dedicated to his late mother on Instagram. Sushant had shared a black and white collage of his picture and that of his mother’s on June 3 and wrote, “Blurred past evaporating from teardrops. Unending dreams carving an arc of smile. And a fleeting life, negotiating between the two...”

Read more here.

Akshay Kumar expresses condolences

Akshay Kumar wrote in a tweet, “Honestly this news has left me shocked and speechless...I remember watching #SushantSinghRajput in Chhichhore and telling my friend Sajid, its producer how much I’d enjoyed the film and wish I’d been a part of it. Such a talented actor...may God give strength to his family.”

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