Sushant Singh Rajput, a multifaceted Indian actor, model, dancer, and entrepreneur, tragically passed away at the young age of 34. His career spanned television and Bollywood, leaving an indelible mark on the Indian entertainment industry. This post delves into his life, career, and the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.
Wiki/Biography
Born on Tuesday, January 21, 1986, in Maldiha, Bihar, Sushant’s zodiac sign was Aquarius. He completed his schooling at St. Karen’s High School, Patna, and Kulachi Hansraj Model School, Delhi. He excelled academically, notably securing an All India Rank of 7 in the DCE Entrance Exam (now DTU) in 2003. He also won the Physics National Olympiad and cleared eleven engineering entrance exams. However, he left engineering to pursue his passion for acting.
Physical Appearance
- Height: 6’
- Hair Color: Black
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
Family & Caste
Sushant hailed from a Rajput family in Bihar. Interestingly, he dropped his surname “Rajput” from his Twitter handle in 2017 amidst controversies surrounding the film Padmaavat.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Krishna Kumar Singh, was a retired employee of BISCOMAUN, Patna. His mother, Usha Singh, sadly passed away in 2002. Sushant was the youngest of five siblings, with four older sisters. One sister, Mitu Singh, was a state-level cricketer, and another, Shweta Singh Kirti, resides in the United States.
His eldest brother-in-law, Om Prakash Singh, served as an additional DGP in the Haryana government. His cousin, Neeraj Kumar Bablu, is a JDU-turned-BJP MLA representing Chhatapur constituency in Saharsa, Bihar.
Sushant’s deep bond with his mother is evident in the poems he wrote in her memory. His grief over her loss resonated throughout his life, as shown in his later social media posts.
Relationships, Girlfriend & Affairs
Sushant was in a six-year relationship with Ankita Lokhande, his co-star in Pavitra Rishta. They separated in 2016. He was also linked romantically to Kriti Sanon and Rhea Chakraborty, though these relationships remained largely unconfirmed.
Career
Television
Sushant’s acting journey began in Mumbai with Nadira Babbar’s Ekjute theatre group. He also appeared in popular Nestle Munch commercials. His breakthrough role came as ‘Manav Deshmukh’ in Pavitra Rishta, propelling him to fame and earning him several Best TV Actor awards. He also participated in dance reality shows like Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4 and Zara Nachke Dikha.
He later left Pavitra Rishta to pursue filmmaking, though he clarified his departure wasn’t solely for film opportunities but also to escape a monotonous role and explore new directions.
Films
Sushant’s Bollywood debut in Kai Po Che! (2013) was a commercial success. This role challenged perceptions of television actors transitioning to film and inspired others to follow suit. He then starred in a series of films, including Shuddh Desi Romance, PK, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy!, M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story (a massive commercial success), Raabta, Kedarnath, Sonchiriya, and Chhichhore. His final release was Dil Bechara, a digital release.
Controversies
Throughout his career, Sushant faced several controversies, including an alleged public altercation with Ankita Lokhande, a social media backlash after a comment on the IIFA Awards, a midnight brawl with fans, and allegations of flirtatious behavior on the set of Dil Bechara.
Awards
Sushant received numerous accolades, including:
- Indian Television Academy Awards for Most Popular Actor (Male) in 2010 for “Pavitra Rishta”
- Screen Award for Best Male Debut for “Kai Po Che!” (2014)
- Producers Guild Film Award for Best Male Debut for “Kai Po Che!” (2014)
- Screen Award for Best Actor (Critics) for “M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story” (2017)
- Best Actor for M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (2017)
Bike/Cars Collection
Sushant owned a Maserati Quattroporte, a Range Rover, and a BMW K1300R motorcycle. He reportedly purchased his first bike during his first year of college.
Death
Sushant was found deceased in his Mumbai home on June 14, 2020. His death was ruled a suicide resulting from depression. His cremation took place on June 15, 2020.
Death Investigation
His death sparked various online campaigns demanding a CBI investigation. The investigation involved multiple agencies and led to a high-profile case involving Rhea Chakraborty and others.
Nepotism Row
Sushant’s death fueled a debate about nepotism in Bollywood, with several prominent figures commenting on the issue.
Favourite Things
| Category | Preference |
|---|---|
| Food | Rajmah Chawal, Aloo Paranthas, Chicken, Lobsters, Prawns, Pani Puri |
| Beverages | Tea (lots of sugar), Lime Juice |
| Actors | James Dean, Ryan Gosling, Keanu Reeves, Shah Rukh Khan, Daniel Day-Lewis |
| Actresses | Isha Sherwani, Tabu, Jennifer Lawrence |
| Film Directors | Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Raj Kumar Hirani, Anand Gandhi |
| Color | Black |
| Travel Destinations | Norway, New Zealand |
| Sport | Tennis |
| Cricketer | Sourav Ganguly |
Facts/Trivia
Sushant was affectionately called “Gulshan” by his family. He had diverse interests including dance, martial arts, and aviation. He pursued entrepreneurial ventures, including Innsaei Ventures, and showed a strong passion for space exploration, even purchasing a piece of land on the moon. His commitment to education was highlighted in his involvement with Sushant4Education and his collaboration with NITI Aayog.
