A Star Shining Forever

Something has happened that has made me despondent, and I am not talking about the deadly Coronavirus.

I can't say that I am directly related to the tragedy, yet there is a part of me that feels lost.

I can't say that I could have done something, yet there is a part of me that is feeling guilty.

I can't say that I understand the reality around me, yet there is a part of me that is in shock and pushing me to come out of a dreadful dream.

This month's post comes at a very unusual time. It involves the sudden demise of the Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput.

Yes, you read it right, and the circumstances around the death have opened a Pandora's box of mysteries.

This post of mine is neither to decode the reasons behind Sushant's suicide nor to speculate over the various reasons which are circling social media. This post is just a simple tribute to a talented, hardworking actor who left us too soon. It mentions a few of his notable works as an actor, which were both captivating, and inspiring.

My first glimpse of Sushant Singh Rajput

I was back home visiting my parents in 2010, and I was browsing through the TV channels one prime-time evening. I decided to watch Zara Nachke Dikha as a filler. Sushant, who was representing the Team 'Mast Kalandar Boys' was getting ready for his solo dance performance. I had no idea who he was and what he was doing on the show. However, right before his dance, he was talking about his mother. How he lost her when he was a teenager, still remembers her, and draws inspiration and courage each time he thinks about her. A part of me felt choked at how he was emotionally essaying his feelings, and the following dance performance was breathtaking. He could dance, and he was a brilliant dancer. 

That was my first glimpse of Sushant Singh Rajput.

A few years later, I saw the poster of an upcoming film named Kai Po Che, directed by Abhishek Kapoor. My mind instantly connected the actor in the poster with the engraved identity in my mind. I was happy to see a new face working with an acclaimed director.

My top 5 favorite films of Sushant Singh Rajput

#5 - Detective Byomkesh Bakshy

A movie shot in a different time and at a different pace was Dibakar Bannerjee's attempt to bring Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay's fictional detective Byomkesh Bakshi onto the silver screen. Sushant Singh Rajput, as the titular character, was flawless in this masterpiece. The execution, poise, and elan with which he slowly unravels the truth behind the mystery is a win for the audience. Neither does he try to play it like Rajit Kapur, nor does he try to play it like Sherlock Holmes. He plays it with a smile on his face, knowledge of his surroundings, and a pinch of humor and awe.

#4 - Chhichhore

When you think of Chhichorre and try relating it with what happened with Sushant, the sadness factor quadruples. This movie was trying to beat the stigma around expectations and how the burden of those expectations become a fatal weight to bear. Even though there were multiple principal actors in the movie, Sushant was the centerpiece, and it was his story that kept the audiences engaged. The beautiful message in the end, mixed with the simplicity of Sushant's deliverance, will be something I will remember forever.

#3 - Shuddh Desi Romance

When I first saw Shuddh Desi Romance, I didn't quite like it. I couldn't relate to what the characters were up to, and why they were so confused right from the beginning. A few days passed, and a friend of mine requested me to accompany him for the movie, and it was only in the second sitting, that I was able to relate to the bedlam. The movie goes unmentioned at times, but it was a challenging role played by Sushant, who delivered it with his innocent, boyish charm. That hesitant, unsure nature of the character amidst the societal pressures around him was brought to light effortlessly by Sushant.

Over the years, I have watched the movie many times. I highly recommend it to anyone wishing to watch an interesting concept backed by strong performances.

#2 - Kai Po Che

Abhishek Kapoor made Kai Po Che after the success of Rock On!! and cast three upcoming actors. After his TV stint's success, Sushant Singh Rajput starred in Kai Po Che, and the industry got a new talent as a gift. His character of a mentor helping a young boy get better at Cricket was full of passion, vigor, and discipline. The role demanded that someone easy to connect emotionally and versatile is accepting changes, and that played straight into Sushant's skillset. The climax of the movie brought tears to my eyes and thunderous accolades for Sushant.

It was among his finest works.

#1 - MS Dhoni - The Untold Story

By far, this is Sushant's best performance. 'Kai Po Che' takes a backseat to 'MS Dhoni - The Untold Story' based on execution, finesse, and the sheer resemblance to the icon himself. Sushant completely transformed himself into emulating MS Dhoni. The first scene where he is watching the match in the dressing room and decides to pad up when Murali comes to bowl, that scene itself gave me goosebumps. His style of walking, style of talking, and most importantly, that elegant swag of Dhoni himself mesmerized so many cricket fans. The preparation for the role, the research into the character, and the dedication towards the journey are just a few reasons why I rate this as Sushant's best work.

Final Thoughts

7 years, 12 films, one must wonder why we didn't see so much of Sushant. The reasons are there, and at some point, it will all be visible. However, that doesn't take away the fact that he was a very good actor, who somewhere lost hope and didn't want to see darkness forever. Many of his work went unnoticed, and some special ones never made him touch the warmth of an award. The critics and media kept echoing that he was done, and frankly, this should be a learning for all of us. Never tell anyone you are doing bad work. Replace it by saying that it was good, but it can be much better. This shift in positivity will keep even false hopes alive. False hope is also to hope in some way.

An astronomy enthusiast, National Olympiad Winner in Physics, talented actor who worked with acclaimed directors like Dibakar Bannerjee, Abhishek Kapoor, Maneesh Sharma, Neeraj Pandey, and Nitesh Tiwari… One must wonder what went wrong... RIP…