Amidst the cacophony of much exalted Bollywood nepotism on one hand and condoling mental illness on the other, the real culprit of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death is on a run.
The nepotism in Bollywood has been challenged by Dilipkumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Irfan Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Ayushmaan Khurana, Priyanka Chopra, Ranveer Singh and Sushant Singh Rajput who carved a niche for themselves in this dream industry. How can nepotism kill Sushant who has clean bowled it with blockbuster films crossing 100 crores! Then who killed Sushant?
Mental illness and depression have attacked some of the most successful men and women inhabiting this planet. From the political stalwarts like Winston Churchill, the greatest Olympians like Michael Phelps, academy award winner Angelina Jolie to millionaire entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, depression has captivated every successful man in every industry. These people fought depression with grit and lived a life full of purpose inspiring millions across the world. A hardworking actor like Sushant who laboured his way from television serials to Bollywood blockbusters possesses enough perseverance, persistence, and patience with which he could even fight his depression!
The real culprit of Sushant’s death is he, himself. He lost the belligerence, courage, and most importantly the faith in himself. If he felt marginalised and bullied by a certain segment of Bollywood, he had enough fame, power and money to stop being at their mercy. He could start his production studio where he supports experimental cinema and new talent! His suicide comes not from the lack of patience but lack of vision.
Sushant’s suicide has also sparked a conversation regarding setting up a new film industry where the only talent from North India shall be promoted. If such thoughts are allowed to evolve in our country, it shall mark the apocalypse of creativity which is the foundation of cinema. Indian cinema has played an extremely significant role in unifying this country by honouring and assimilating talent from different parts of the country. Whether it is Danny Denzongpa from North East, Sridevi from South, Manisha Koirala from Nepal, Dharmendra from Punjab or Sushant Singh from Bihar, as long as one has talent, one has a place in Bollywood without any prejudice from where one hails.
By sympathising with the suicide victim, we are only glamourizing his/her lack of fortitude to fight adversities. We the society, media, fans, and responsible citizens while punishing the perpetrators of suicide should not forget to condemn, criticise, and cowardize the action of suicide to discourage the prospective attempters who firmly begin to believe that suicide is the only way to take revenge of their tormentors.