Fault in NOT our stars but OUR system

Sushant Singh Rajput passed away. He was 34. He was dead by suicide. What happened before he took that step? What led him to take that step? Why he had to take the step? These questions won’t be answered. 

Honestly, they shouldn’t be answered too. 

In my career of six years, I met him thrice. Or maybe more. I don’t have a distinctive memory that I can state. All I know is that he was an enthu cutlet. Every-time I would pose a question towards him, he would put on this accent and swag and give elaborative answers. 

His charming smile, which refuses to leave my mind right now, had the same effect back then. He was gorgeous to look at. And his craft, I don’t even have to talk about it when Mr. Bachchan himself praised him in his tribute to the actor. 

“on one of my meetings with him, I asked him how did he manage to give that iconic shot of Dhoni hitting a six winning the International tournament, to absolute perfection..he said he saw that video of Dhoni, a hundred times. That was the severity of his professional effort ..” Amitabh Bachchan recalled.

He’s gone. And yes, too soon. But what has he left behind? He’s left incredible work and a question that we need to answer- are we doing enough to keep ourselves “mentally healthy,” are we recognising what impact our negative reviews or words can have on people? Are we recognising that in maintaining our lives we are leaving behind relationships? Are we talking and creating enough awareness on the D word? 

Wondering what the D word is? 

Depression. 

Over the years, decades and maybe even centuries, we have been losing people to this mental situation (won’t call it illness as its stigmatised anyway.) With Sushant’s demise, the conversation has come to the surface yet again. 

How many more deaths will it take for us to realise that it’s not something to be ashamed of; and you can seek help. Even from someone you’ve not spoken in years or never.

Sometimes even a colleague can be a blessing in disguise.

Talk. Take your time but do. Let it out. Share your trigger points, if any. Share what’s bothering you.

And promise to listen without being judgmental. 

Be aware of people and their well-being around you. A “how are you doing?” won’t cause any harm or won’t take much of your time. 

The actor’s death has also revealed or made us feel the two-facedness of the industry. I couldn’t agree any less with Ranvir Shorey when he said, “Something has to be said about the power they wield with zero accountability. 

The power they derive from having inherited privilege in the business and the mainstream media sitting in their lap. The power to decide who will be a “star” and who will be left out in the cold. 

But of course, the coterie that owns the only high stakes table in the casino will never be questioned, because everyone is too busy enjoying the game. Even if they know it’s fixed.” 

Who is in power? We, may or may not, know. How can the change begin? From me. From you. From us. 

I can’t even begin to tell how every post on him has deeply hurt me as a person. It has affected me, my mind. Disturbed me. And let’s not even talk about those inhuman people who  circulated his dead pictures or called him names while reporting. How could you? How could we? Let’s not. Don’t. 

Sonu Sood turned messiah for migrant workers while many (including me) comfortably sat in their AC rooms. We need to become Sonu Sood or at least try, for at least one in our circle or to a stranger. 

If you can’t do anything, let’s be all ears at least. 

This incident has also taught me that empathy doesn’t come with education, it comes with awareness, with surroundings. Try to be the source. 

Lastly, Sushant’s death and his loneliness in the industry is a reminder of a saying - “Joh bikta hai, woh tikta hai” but unfortunately, people with talent and no backing might sell but won’t stick around. Some might not even survive.  So please:

Reflect on what you’re becoming in the rat race. 

Let our inner voices have a platform. 

Let those thoughts clouding your mind and pulling you down, have an ear. 

Let’s promise to be there without anything in return. 

Let’s be compassionate.

Let’s be human. 

#JustAnotherJourno #RIPSushant