The Indian film industry is set for a paradigm shift after the death of Sushant Singh Rajput, a talented actor and an eternal outsider to Bollywood.
Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide has sent shockwaves across the country, which have now taken the shape of a nationwide outrage over allegations of nepotism in Bollywood.
His death led to some angry remarks from within the Bollywood from artists like Shekhar Kapur and Kangana Ranaut. But the fight for getting justice to Sushant Singh Rajput has now taken a different shape.
There is a backlash against nepotism in Bollywood which has led to social media users giving angry reactions to certain individuals like Karan Johar and Sonam Kapoor.
Old video clips are also being taken out to show how Rajput remained an eternal outsider to Bollywood and could never qualify as a “superstar” despite delivering box office successes.
Awards are purchased not earned , awards never speak talent. #justiceforSushanthSinghRajput #Nepotism #nepotisminbollywood pic.twitter.com/8BMNt84boh
— Ajaz Khan (@AjazkhanActor) June 17, 2020
Just see how uncomfortable he is.. When Shah Rukh said " Isi ke ghar ke 2-4 log kahte honge" When it's upon you it's ok but why to drag family into it. They invited him for award show or to humiliate. pic.twitter.com/7WUHdRy0bn
— Vaibhav Jain (@1997Indian) June 15, 2020
Hw insensitive u r
Wait for sushant's name.. and see that creepy smile of @karanjohar and @sonamakapoor
Such a shame….
She is behaving like ..who Sushant Singh Rajput… So I should tell you a self made superstar…. Not a zero …#boycottbollywood https://t.co/auMvqQgmXW— Punter (@PramodPammu8) June 17, 2020
It doesn’t seem this palpable sentiment against nepotism in Bollywood would die down any time soon. Social media from Instagram to Twitter is filled with such angry reactions against favouritism.
Hastags like #JusticeforSushantSinghRajput and #KaranJoharBully that are being trended on social media speak volumes about the larger public sentiment. Moreover, some social media users are even encouraging boycotting movies of certain actors and artists such as Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt etc.
The bigger message is, of course, nepotism vs. talent and merit, and this is turning into a social media trend of sorts.
#JusticeForSushantSinghRajput boycott the movies of @karanjohar , @BeingSalmanKhan , @iamsrk @aliaa08 @sonamakapoor @deepikapadukone .The audiences have made them. RIP them apart by not watching their movies. They have pushed a brilliant mind and actor into oblivion… pic.twitter.com/RgC6Oe4Vz9
— Dr.Manisha Singh (@DrManishaSingh2) June 17, 2020
I request you to unfollow Salman Khan, Karan Johar, Sonam Kapoor, Alia Bhatt all stars. #justiceforSushanthSinghRajput
If the government does not support us too, then we will judge ourselves by not watching all these movies. pic.twitter.com/bP7NItGfJU— D K Gujjar Chouhan (@creative_gujjar) June 18, 2020
It is well known that outrage usually doesn’t make much of a difference to the prospects of production giants and leading faces in Bollywood like Karan Johar.
Generally, it does not affect actors who face allegations of finding favour only because of family background, nepotism and favouritism. But what is now happening is very different.
The level of anger against nepotism in Bollywood is rather unprecedented. And then there is also a recorded decline in the following of top Bollywood names, something that was unimaginable not very long ago.
https://twitter.com/ashmit_ashish/status/1273444820850106368?s=20
Apart from this, an advocate, Sudhir Kumar Ojha has filed a case against six leading Bollywood personalities in connection with Rajput’s death in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur Court.
The case has been filed under sections 306 (abetment of suicide), 109, 504 (intentional insult) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, 1860.
The personalities mentioned in the case include Karan Johar, Aditya Chopra, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Sajid Nadiadwala, actor Salman Khan and Ekta Kapoor.
Meanwhile, there is a growing conversation about how draining the film industry can be. Apurva Asrani, a National Award-winning filmmaker tweeted, “Many have woken up to feel bad for #SushantSingh after he took his life, but very few spoke for him during his struggle. And the more successful he got, the more he was boycotted, maligned. Thankgod for gracious men like Manoj Bajpai who spoke for him when it mattered.”
https://twitter.com/Apurvasrani/status/1273105505301430272?s=20
He added, “There are many talented filmmakers & actors who are not getting their due, because a nexus between the powerful & the press exists. If you are someone who dares to be outspoken, if you don’t suck up, then your achievements will be ignored. In film reviews, at award ceremonies..”
https://twitter.com/Apurvasrani/status/1273111879909609472?s=20
With the kind of narrative that is coming from such quarters- a National Award winning filmmaker, the resentment against some of the most celebrated and popular Bollywood big-wigs is growing further.
Sushant Singh Rajput’s death will have changed the Bollywood forever, if the ongoing outrage doesn’t die down anytime soon.