Is Bollywood monetizing and triviliazing Sushant Singh's tragedy?
3 min readThe tragic death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput has opened a floodgate of accusations against bigshots of Bollywood. While the B-towns bigwigs tweeted and posted their condolences, they were criticized for 'sheer hypocrisy of their actions' since they allegedly bullied and harassed Singh in his life. Director Karan Johar was the main target of these allegations.
Actor Kangna Ranaut in a video, she posted immediately after Sushant's death, called out Bollywood's 'privilege' club and questioned the factors that pushed the M.S Dhoni actor to take such extreme step. She also called out Bollywood stars for posting condolences for Singh while they shunned him while he was alive.
While shedding light on the dark side of Bollywood, Kangna trivialized mental health and depression. In her interview, while citing Singh's brilliant academic record, the Queen star asserted that 'geniuses are mentally very strong'.
Her assertions made me think if she wants B-town's big-guns to be punished at all cost, thus she played down the mental health aspect of Sushant's tragedy. I may be wrong but unlike many, I don't think Kangna, though I appreciate her struggles and outspoken tendencies, is absolute right on the money. Her small-town girl persona is coupled with hatred, problematic narratives, and fascists views.
Kangna is right about nepotism, she is right about the cinema industry being a difficult place for outsiders, but she isn't right about assuming that smart or talented people can't be depressed. By assuming that she underplayed the mental health concerns amongst stars.
As far as the monetization of this tragedy is concerned, two films have been announced not more than 10 days after the actor's sad demise.
Last week, Bollywood director Shamik Maulik had announced to make a tell-all movie about Sushant Singh's struggle, being an outsider, in the industry. While revealing the title 'Suicide Or Murder? – A star was lost', the director said:
"I want to break this gang. My story will show everything that was done wrong with Sushant. That boy was forced to end his life. He was bullied by people and boycotted, and was even fired from several films back-to-back. The film is not a biopic but is rather inspired by Sushant’s life. It will spill the beans on many secrets of the film industry."
And now filmmaker Sanoj Mishra has announced a film based on the life of Sushant Singh Rajput. However, the director clarified that it isn't a biopic of the late actor.
While announcing the film title 'Sushant' Mishra said that the film is inspired by the life and struggle of Sushant in Bollywood and will tell the story of struggling actors who come to Mumbai to fulfill their dreams of becoming stars.
"This film will be the story of all those who are forced to take harsh steps in Bollywood due to harassment. This film will be produced under the banner of Road Production and Sanoj Mishra Films and will be shot in Mumbai and Bihar,” he said in a statement.
According to Mishra, the film will be produced under the banner of Road Production and Sanoj Mishra Films and will be shot in Mumbai and Bihar. The director is hopeful that this production will help "develop the cinema industry in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
To me, it sounds absolutely ironic that films be made about the struggles of an actor who was "anxious to find work" in his lifetime and that too immediately after his death. Is Bollywood trying to cash in the tragedy while people still remember it? What's worse is that Sushant's family wasn't asked for permission.
May be Bollywood really wants to tell the story of Sushant but I can't buy it not unless there are serious efforts to address the dark side of Bollywood.























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