Sushant Singh Rajput’s Death a ‘Big Wake-Up Call’ for Bollywood
(Pramit Pramathes): Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death by suicide on Sunday 14th June 2020 sent shock waves through Bollywood and the world. The actor’s battle with depression for the past six months and then his death, has once again put spotlight on the importance of mental health care with celebrities including Anil Kapoor, Karan Johar, Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma, Zoya Akhtar, emphasising upon supporting those facing troubled times.
Known for films like Kai Po Che!, MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Chhichhore, Sushant was found hanging at his Bandra home, the police said. He was 34. Soon after the news of the actor’s demise started circulating, many from the film fraternity urged people to be more sensitive, empathetic and available to their close ones who might be silently suffering.
In an Instagram post, Johar said he “blames” himself for not being in touch with Rajput for the past one 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… Will never make that mistake again. We live in very energetic and noisy but still very isolated times some of us succumb to these silences and go within. We need to not just make relationships but also constantly nurture them,” the filmmaker wrote alongside a picture of him with Sushant. He said that the actor’s death is “huge wake-up call” for him. “Sushant’s unfortunate demise has been a huge wake up call to me to my level of compassion and to my ability to foster and protect my equations. I hope this resonates with all of you as well… will miss your infectious smile and your bear hug,” the producer, who backed 2019 film Drive starring Rajput, added.
