MUMBAI — Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who starred in films like Chhichhore, PK and a biopic on MS Dhoni, was found dead at his sixth floor apartment in Bandra (West) in Mumbai. The 34-year-old actor was reportedly found hanging by a domestic help who raised alarm.
Bandra Police, who are handling the case, have confirmed that the actor had died by suicide, but no ‘note’ was found from his residence. “Sushant Singh Rajput has committed suicide, Mumbai Police is investigating,” DCP Pranay Ashok, spokesperson Mumbai Police said, according to Indian newspapers reports.
“He has committed suicide at his residence in Bandra. Our team is there,” Manoj Sharma, additional commissioner of police, Western Region, told PTI as news of the suicide sent shockwaves across the metropolis. His body was taken to Dr. RN Cooper Municipal General Hospital from his residence.
According to a Hindustan Times report, Sushant’s team shared a message for his fans:“It pains us to share that Sushant Singh Rajput is no longer with us. We request his fans to keep him in their thoughts and celebrate his life, and his work like they have done so far. We request media to help us maintain privacy at this moment of grief.”
Sushant Singh Rajput’s death comes days after his former manager Disha Salian, 28, reportedly died by suicide, ending her life by jumping from a high rise building on June 9. Rajput had tweeted his shock at the news on social media.
The actor, who became popular with his starring role in the television show ‘Pavitra Rishta’ made his foray into films with ‘Kai Po Che!’ in 2013. Among popular Sushant Singh Rajput movies are ‘Shuddh Desi Romance’, ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story’, ‘Raabta’, ‘Kedarnath’ and ‘Sonchiriya’. Rajput's last big screen release was Rajkumar Hirani's ‘Chhichhore’
Among his unreleased films is Dil Bechara, an official remake of the Hollywood film The Fault in Their Stars. Directed by Mukesh Chhabra, the movie was rumored to be released directly through a streamer over the next few months. He garnered critical acclaim for his role in Dibakar Banerjee’s 2015 movie, Detective Byomkesh Bakshy.
Expressing shock at his death, Akshay Kumar wrote, “Honestly this news has left me shocked and speechless...I remember watching #SushantSinghRajput in Chhichhore and telling my friend Sajid, its producer how much I’d enjoyed the film and wish I’d been a part of it. Such a talented actor...may God give strength to his family.” — Agencies