Sushant Singh Rajput’s “Murder” has opened a can of worms. Salman, Karan Johar and Yash Raj Films at the centre of people’s ire

The entire nation stands shocked following the suicide of Sushant Singh Rajput, a talented actor and an eternal outsider to Bollywood.

His unfortunate death has now opened a can of worms. It has led to an angry backlash against the nepotism-dominated film industry of India. And the so-called “superstars”, and leading production houses are at the centre of people’s ire.

The 34-year old actor’s suicide has led to demands for a probe from several quarters. His family in Patna, Bihar is devastated and is demanding a CBI investigation into the matter.

Sushant Singh Rajput’s maternal uncle RC Singh said, “This is a case of murder. The youth of Bihar and the Rajput Mahasabha demands a CBI enquiry into the incident. We demand a CBI enquiry from Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi into the murder.”

Many within the industry are speaking up against bullying and nepotism within the industry by those who have a firm grip over Bollywood.

In a Facebook post, Dabbang Director Abhinav Kashyap also said, “The death of Sushant Singh Rajput brings under scanner the role YRF talent Management Agency might have played in pushing him towards his suicide but that is for the authorities to investigate. These people don’t make careers. They ruin your career and life.”

He has blamed members of Salman Khan’s family for his own ordeal.

Kashyap said, “There are many other small fry’s but Salman Khan family is the head of this venomous serpent.”

About his own experience, the director said, “The reason why I moved out of making Dabangg 2 ten years ago was because Arbaaz Khan in collusion with Sohail Khan and family was trying to take control of my career by bullying me. Arbaaz Khan sabotaged my second project with Shree Ashtavinayak Films that I was signed up with by personally calling their head Raj Mehta and threatening him with dire consequences if they made a film with me. I had to return the signing money to Shree Ashtavinayak Films and moved to Viacom Pictures. They did the same thing. Only this time the sabotager was Sohail Khan and he intimidated the then Viacom CEO Vikram Malhotra.”

Renowned actress, Kangana Ranaut has also blasted Bollywood after Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide. She has pointed out how Sushant Singh Rajput was isolated by the industry.

She said, “If you look at his last few posts, he is clearly saying, begging people to see his films, that I don’t have a Godfather, I will be thrown out of this industry. Even in his interviews, he says why doesn’t this industry make me its own? I feel like a leftover. So doesn’t this incident have any reason?”

Another well known actor, Shekhar Kapur, who was supposed to direct the deceased actor in a movie that was eventually shelved, has also spoken up.

Kapur tweeted, “I knew the pain you were going through. I knew the story of the people that let you down so bad that you would weep  on my shoulder. I wish Iwas around the last 6 months. I wish you had reached out to me. What happened to you was their Karma. Not yours.”

The movie titled Paani had to be given up even after a month of prep, because Yash Raj Films backed out of the project.

I knew the pain you were going through. I knew the story of the people that let you down so bad that you would weep on my shoulder. I wish Iwas around the last 6 months. I wish you had reached out to me. What happened to you was their Karma. Not yours. #SushantSinghRajput

— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) June 15, 2020

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh tweeted, “While the post mortem report says actor @itsSSR committed suicide by hanging himself, there are media reports that  he allegedly suffered from clinical depression because of professional rivalry. @MumbaiPolice will probe this angle too.”

While the post mortem report says actor @itsSSR committed suicide by hanging himself, there are media reports that he allegedly suffered from clinical depression because of professional rivalry. @MumbaiPolice will probe this angle too.

— ANIL DESHMUKH (@AnilDeshmukhNCP) June 15, 2020

Sushant Singh Rajput didn’t get the kind of recognition that he deserved despite delivering some box office successes and impressive performances.

Kangana Ranaut, for example, said, “Why did a terrible film like Gully Boy win all the awards when a spectacular movie like Chhichhore (starring Rajput) was ignored?”

Bollywood is a brutal industry- nepotism rules the roost and “star kids” are released with much fanfare, while outsiders like Sushant face ostracization.

Amidst the public backlash against nepotism-ruled Bollywood, Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt’s condolences for Sushant, have triggered a debate about nepotism and favouritism in the industry.

Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam alleged in a tweet that Sushant Singh Rajput had signed seven movies after Chhichhore success. But lost all seven movies within a matter of six months.

He said, “The ruthlessness of the film industry works at a different level. This ruthlessness killed a talented artist.”

छिछोरे हिट होने के बाद #सुशांत_सिंह_राजपूत ने सात फिल्में साइन की थी।
छह महीने में उसके हाथ से सारी फिल्में निकल गई थीं।क्यों ?
फ़िल्म इंडस्ट्री की निष्ठुरता एक अलग लेवल पर काम करती है।
इसी निष्ठुरता ने एक प्रतिभावान कलाकार को मार डाला।
सुशांत को विनम्र श्रद्धांजलि!#RIPSushant

— Sanjay Nirupam (@sanjaynirupam) June 14, 2020

It is well known that a few giant production companies control bulk of the distribution houses in the country. So much so that they can push mediocre movies starring dynastic actors, and at the same time black out movies starring talented actors who don’t find favour with these colossal companies.

This imbalance needs to be corrected. Sushant’s death has opened a can of worms and those who control the film industry are at the centre of the public backlash.