Remembering Sushant Singh Rajput As A Talented Young Actor And A Brilliant, Compassionate Human Being
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Image: India TV News
It’s been a year since the world heard of the unexpected death of the young and aspiring Sushant Singh Rajput. The actor had taken his own life and was found by his domestic help on Sunday afternoon. While many of his loved ones and fans were shocked to hear the news, there might have been signs of his ongoing battle with mental health all along. The actor touched the hearts of millions of Indians through his wonderful films Kai Po Che, Chhichhore, and many more. And what’s more, the talented young lad got his big break with the help of Ekta Kapoor as the lead actor on the show Pavitra Rishta. Besides his incredible acting abilities, Sushant was ambitious and truly dreamed of touching the skies (which he did after he ticked “learning how to fly a plane” off his bucket list). Here’s to celebrating a young, beautiful, and kind soul who inspired us so much that his absence has left a huge void in our hearts.
Humble Beginnings
Sushant was born to Krishna and Usha Singh in the city of Patna. Born in a regular middle-class family, his early life was marred with tragedy after the untimely passing of his mother Usha. After losing his wife, Sushant’s father decided to shift the family from Patna to Delhi, where Sushant continued with his higher education.
Sushant was a brilliant student and managed to gain a seat in Mechanical Engineering at the prestigious Delhi College Of Engineering. The actor excelled in the stream for a few years but realized he had other activities that piqued his interest. He started participating in theatre, dance, and plays and soon decided to drop out of college and pursue a career in acting instead. However, before he decided to become an actor, he was extremely interested in dancing and had even enrolled himself in famed choreographer Shiamak Davar’s dance classes.
A Boyish Grin That Would Melt Anybody’s Heart
After he decided to make the switch from engineering to performing arts, Sushant hopped on a plane down to Mumbai and joined a theatre group. While working in theatre, Sushant auditioned for a Nestle ad and was cast in the lead role. It was this advertisement that introduced the country to the heartwarming smile that was always spotted on Sushant’s face. The ad did wonders for his image and he was soon a recognizable face.
During one of his plays, Sushant was spotted by a representative from Balaji films and was invited to audition for a small role in Ekta Kapoor’s, Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Di. Although it was a small role, the actor became such a fan favorite that he was brought back as a ghost in the series finale. Against all odds, Ekta managed to convince Zee executives to let Sushant be the lead for their next major series, Pavitra Rishta. Through this role, the actor became a common name in Indian households and even went on to participate in a couple of dance shows.
A Versatile Actor
Sushant proved his versatility as an actor through the show Pavitra Rishta and soon everyone knew he was the hottest topic in town. It wasn’t long before he made the massive jump from the small screens to the big screens. His turning point came when he auditioned for a lead role in the film, Kai Po Che, which was adapted from the Chetan Bhagat novel. His brilliant performance in the film cemented his career in Bollywood and soon film scripts were piling outside his door.
The actor chose his roles carefully and was very particular about the topics he picked. His second film, Shuddh Desi Romance delved with the concept of live-in relationships. These sorts of relationships are still taboo in India and critics were impressed with the way he portrayed his character with such depth and emotion. After winning praises for his first two films, Sushant starred in PK with Aamir Khan and Anushka Sharma. The film went on to be one of the highest-grossing films of that year.
A Filmfare Nomination And A Battle With Mental Health
Friends of the actor remember him for his gentle heart, kind face, and exuberant personality. Sushant seemed to have a zest for life and his social media proved it. The actor often spoke of his goals and his dreams and his “bucket lists”. In 2016, the actor had starred in his biggest project yet, a biopic based on the life of cricket player, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The movie was so popular and record-smashing that Sushant was nominated for his first Filmfare Award.
In 2019, Sushant starred in a film that dealt with a topic very close to him, mental health. The actor played the role of a father whose son is suffering from severe depression and attempts to kill himself. The film performed extremely well at the box office and received five Filmfare nominations.
Sushant starred in many movies that stole the hearts of the audience. But besides being an incredible talent, it’s his passions and his kind heart that won him fans. The actor was a lover of astronomy, flying planes, martial arts, ballet, and so many other interesting things. His demise has caused a permanent hole in Bollywood and has opened people’s eyes to the horrifying reality of mental health in this country. The taboos surrounding mental health needs to be erased and we need to start from the very foundation of the concept. Do you think schools should start talking to kids about mental health issues and suicide? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
