Dear Sushant,
I wrote an article about you on 14 June, 2018. I can’t believe I’m writing about you again exactly two years later, but for a completely different reason.
On 14 June, 2020 I didn’t want to blast your pictures on social media with an emotional note – it didn’t feel right. I gave myself a day to shake off the numbing and unsettling feeling. I messaged some people in the industry who worked closely with you to ensure they’re doing okay. It felt the best way to honor and respect your memory and life.
I admired you not just as a self-made celebrity in the cut-throat business of Bollywood, but for your passion beyond it.
In 2018, I was curious about your entrepreneurial debut, Innsaei Ventures Pvt Ltd. – A venture that aimed at focusing on emerging technologies that disrupted the socio-economics and developmental transformations.
It was fascinating that a young actor had such diverse interests and utilized his “star-power” to learn more and spread more knowledge to the world.
I followed you on Instagram and often saw you posting extremely informative and enlightening content – things that a “star” doesn’t necessarily do. You shared your bucket-list with everyone, you replied to almost every comment on your posts, you even went off social media for a while and returned when you had some more thoughts to share.
Looking back at your journey, it’s easy to point out moments when something was amiss.
You were a private person.
You know how actors these days are constantly being ‘papped?’ I don’t think you enjoyed being hounded like that. Perhaps that’s what made you stand-out even more. Unfortunately though, it probably made you go deeper into your own shell.
Upon hearing the news of your demise, I kept thinking to myself – “He has a new film coming up in a FEW DAYS! Wasn’t that something to live for or look forward to? I wish he waited… maybe his life could’ve picked up again.”
Poster of Dil BecharaI will be waiting for your last film, Dil Bechara to release. But I have read the book and I know how it ends… and it’s not going to be an easy watch.
People will continue to speculate and over-analyze your actions and life. But no one knew how dark that cloud over your head really was.
I hope they remember you as the man whose eyes sparkled every time he smiled. For a young man with so many accomplishments and strength, you deserved better. You deserved more.
Hope you’re resting easy and found your peace! <3
