Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput committed suicide on Sunday morning. As per a report by India Today, the 34-year-old was found hanging by a green kurta at his residence in Bandra, Mumbai.
According to the ongoing investigation being conducted by the city police and The Economic Times, Rajput had been staying at his apartment with his cook and two friends. He had spoken to his sister on the telephone around 9 am, an hour after which, he had a glass of juice and took his tablets.
Following this, the cook knocked several times on his door to confirm the menu for the day around 11:30 am but to no avail. His friends called a locksmith to help open the door, only to find the body inside. They subsequently rang up Rajput’s sister and the police.
Based on initial reports, the Kedarnath actor had been suffering from depression for the past six months. His friends also believe the reason behind his suicide was extreme depression. The actor's former manager Disha Salian had also committed suicide just a few days ago.
In 2017, Rajput had slammed the notion of celebrities being free from mental and emotional struggles due to their fame, wealth and success. “Who says actors can maintain their mental health easily? The most important thing that an actor can do to protect himself from all these pressures, demands and the paparazzi is to know why they are doing what they are doing. No matter what you like, be it money, fame or competition — just make sure you know your reasons,” the Hindustan Times had quoted him as saying
Now, several Indian and Pakistani celebrities are using their social media platforms to raise mental health awareness in light of Rajput’s demise.
Local model and actor Amna Ilyas took to Twitter saying, "If a person has fame and money, it doesn’t mean he is the happiest of all! One in four people in the world are affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives. Please take care of the people around you. Sushant Sing Rajput, rest in peace."
If a person has fame and money doesn’t mean he is the happiest of all!
— AMNA ILYAS (@IlyasAmna) June 14, 2020
One in four people in the world will be affected by mental or neurological disorders at some point in their lives.
Please take care of people around you. #ShushantSinghRajput #RIP #Mentalhealth #depression
Actor Mawra Hocane wrote, "It’s so important for all of us to be kind, to be compassionate, to be polite. We all have a role to play in each other’s lives. Let’s all have a big heart for one another. Let’s please be kind. Rest in peace, Sushant Singh Rajput."
It’s so important for all of us to be Kind, to be compassionate, to be polite. We all have a role to play in each other’s life. Let’s all have a big heart for one another. Let’s please be KIND!!!!! ❤️#SushantSinghRajput RIP!
— MAWRA HUSSAIN (@MawraHocane) June 14, 2020
Mahira Khan emphasised on the same while calling out the people who think being 'straight up' is 'cool'. "Why have we made it cool to be ‘straight up’? That isn’t honesty; it’s downright apathy! Be kind and proud. Wear it like a badge. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind. There is much more to people than they show. Be kind!" the Verna actor said.
Why have we made it cool to be ‘straight up’? That isn’t called honesty, it’s downright apathy! Be kind and proud. Wear it like a badge. Be kind. Be kind. Be kind. There is much more to people than they show. Be kind ffs.
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) June 14, 2020
Zara Noor Abbas, on the other hand, pointed out why many refrain from opening up on their feelings and are thus judged by society. "People keep things to themselves, thrown by what others will interpret them as. That fear is what makes them sulk deeper into the darkness. So before you judge someone, stop and think about the inner battle they are constantly fighting."
You keep things to yourself as you are always thrown by what people will interpret it as. That fear is what makes you sulk deep into the darkness. So just before you make a judgement about someone, STOP and think about the inner battle that they are constantly fighting.
— Zara Noor Abbas Siddiqui (@ZaraNoorAbbas) June 14, 2020
Hamza Ali Abbasi also urged everyone to "Be kind to others, to your family, to the weak, to the poor." He then asked people to be honest and ensure that others are safe from their actions and words. "Give charity. Know that the real life is about to start after the transition we call death. All peace comes from God," he concluded.
Be kind to others, to ur family, to the weak, to the poor. Be just, be honest, make sure all r safe from ur actions and from ur words. Give charity. Know tht the real life is abt to start after the transition we call death. All peace comes from God.
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) June 14, 2020
Meanwhile, Osman Khalid Butt emphasised on how important it was to listen if someone was being brave enough to talk about their mental health issues. "You can help beyond the performative 'it'll get better’," he said, sharing a link to a guide on how to help someone with depression.
"Someone's depressive episode might seem 'dramatic' to you but that doesn't invalidate what they're going through. With the stigma regarding mental health, we're conditioned to combat it on our own, to dismiss and suppress," Butt continued.
When someone is brave enough to talk to you about their mental health issues, their battle with depression & anxiety, 𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯 to them. Really listen.
— Osman Khalid Butt 🇵🇸 (@aClockworkObi) June 14, 2020
You can help beyond the performative 'it'll get better.'
Here's how.https://t.co/4K6xIy4sUO
"There is also a culture of not just accepting toxicity and cynicism but actively encouraging it. As someone who has personally been affected by the apathetic and frankly dismissive attitude towards depression, if someone reaches out to you, listen!"
Anoushey Ashraf also mourned Rajput with a public service message. "Something about depression killing a person is far worse than anything else. There is a lack of understanding on mental health issues and even though some think this is an easy way out, imagine the torment in one’s mind for them to take this step. RIP, Sushant," she wrote.
Something about the illness of #depression killing a person is far worse than anything else. There is a lack of understanding on mental health issues & even though some think this is an easy way out, imagine the torment in one’s mind to take this step. #ripsushant #suicide 💔 pic.twitter.com/SUhB8FCJKF
— Anoushey Ashraf (@Anoushey_a) June 14, 2020
The late Patna-born Rajput became an instant hit with his boyish charm in 2009 television serial Pavitra Rishta. He then made his Bollywood debut with 2013's Kai Po Che! and in the same year, starred in the romantic comedy Shuddh Desi Romance. He was last seen in Chhichhore, opposite Shraddha Kapoor.
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