Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide comes on the heels of the recent suicide death of his ex-manager Disha Salian, who was just 28. Salian died after falling off a high-rise in Mumbai’s Malad on Monday (June 8) night. Following Salian’s tragic death, Rajput was depressed according to reports and due to his personal introverted nature and the pandemic lockdown, there was no help for the young actor. Anxiety and depression can wreak havoc on artists and Bollywood needs to wake up to this very serious reality. 

By R. Paul Dhillon With News Files

MUMBAI – Rising young Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his home in Bandra, Mumbai on Sunday and local police confirmed that the 34-year-old star of films like Kedarnath and Chichhore killed himself by hanging. 

Rajput made his television debut in 2008 with Balaji Telefilms’ “Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil.” The popularity of that show led to him being cast in another successful series “Pavitra Rishta,” for which he won several best actor awards including the gong at the Indian Television Academy Awards, reported Variety Magazine.

This has been a very deadly year for Bollywood’s top stars with legendary actor Rishi Kapoor and top Bollywood talent Irrfan Khan dying days apart more than a month ago. 

The death of Rajput also puts depression, anxiety and mental illness in the spotlight especially given the gossip, cold and indifferent nature of the Indian entertainment industry and something that the industry must address collectively with it’s young, up and coming talent.

Rajput’s suicide comes on the heels of the recent suicide death of his ex-manager Disha Salian, who was just 28.

Salian died after falling off a high-rise in Mumbai’s Malad on Monday (June 8) night. While initially it was reported that the former celebrity manager had committed suicide, the Malvani police have registered a case of accidental death but many believe she killed herself.

Following her death, Rajput wrote, “It's such a devastating news. My deepest condolences to Disha's family and friends. May your soul rest in peace.”

Several Bollywood actors commented on Varun’s post. “RIP,” wrote Sonakshi Sinha with a broken heart emoji while Mouni Roy wrote “Still in shock. May her soul rest in peace.” Richa Chadha wrote, "Tragic. Unreal," and Huma Qureshi wrote, "Unreal, RIP.” Comedienne Bharti Singh also condoled Disha’s demise and shared her photo on her Instagram story. "Speechless," she had written in the caption along with several crying emojis. She was 28. Disha had also worked with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, and comedienne Bharti Singh.

Following Salian’s tragic death, Rajput was depressed according to reports and due to his personal introverted nature and the pandemic lockdown, there was no help for the young actor. Anxiety and depression can wreak havoc on artists and Bollywood needs to wake up to this very serious reality. 

Rajput made his film debut with ‘Kai Po Che!” in 2013.  He was nominated for his performance in this film by various Indian best debut awards. The buddy movie, produced by former Disney executives Ronnie Screwvala and Siddharth Roy Kapur had its debut at the Berlin film festival before going on commercial release in India and globally, reported Variety.

One of his biggest successes was playing Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2016’s “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story.” Other hits included 2018’s “Kedarnath,” and 2019’s “Chhichhore.”

2019’s “Drive,” starring Rajput, debuted directly on Netflix.

At the time of Rajput’s death, “Dil Bechara,” the official Bollywood remake of “The Fault in Our Stars,” in which he starred, was set to release. But it could not as cinemas remain closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

 “What goes on in our mind to give up on life – one will never know – really shattering news – RIP @itsSSR – more than an actor – great memories of our recent Kedarnath & Sonchidiya…. full of energy – always respectful of everyone around him – in a Flash and then gone too soon,” said Screwvala on Twitter.

Expressing shock at his death, Anurag Kashyap tweeted, “Wtf .. this is not true.” 

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar tweeted: “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 wished I’d been a part of it. Such a talented actor…may God give strength to his family.”

Sushant’s team shared a message for his fans: “It pains us to share that Sushant Singh Rajput is no longer with us. We request his fans to keep him in their thoughts and celebrate his life, and his work like they have done so far. We request the media to help us maintain privacy at this moment of grief.”