Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; June 29, 2020)

Two weeks after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death by suicide continues to be in the news, his friend and Bollywood producer Sandip Ssingh, talks to Bombay Times about that fateful day, how he is coping with it and also about all the media speculation and theories around the actor’s death. Excerpts…

The last two weeks must have been heart-breaking for you. Could you tell us how you are coping with the loss of your friend?
When I got the news, I did not believe it. I was sitting alone and thinking if it had really happened. Mahesh Shetty (Sushant’s close friend) and I spoke; he said he’s coming to pick me up. Throughout the journey from my house to Sushant’s house in Bandra, we were inundated with calls. It was not sinking in... we were sitting in silence and in shock throughout the journey. When we reached there, we were still in shock and disbelief, but we knew a lot of formalities had to be completed and his sister Mitu was the only one from his family there.

While you have been with the family in the last two weeks, have you been keeping up with all that’s being reported in the media and what’s happening on social media?
When I read the stories, I could understand the emotions behind them. People are saying he suffered because of nepotism, some are pointing fingers at others saying that seven films were taken away from him. People are saying he was depressed, he was not happy in his relationship... kya kya likha logon ne...Let the enquiries get over before writing anything.

Several things were spoken about right after Sushant’s demise — from mental health issues to his talent not being appreciated. Was there anything that he told you in the last one year?
First and foremost, we have to understand he was not an expressive person in his real life. When one goes through things, they don’t express themselves easily. I think we as friends should have probably understood what he was feeling and going through. Aaj lagta hai thoda sa aur effort lena tha, thoda aur haq jata dete uspe toh...

In your social media post after his death, you spoke about Sushant’s relationship with Ankita Lokhande. How is she now?
Ankita had spent the maximum time with him in the last 10 years or so. When they were together, she took care of him like no one else ever did. She was always in touch with the family and they all loved her.

Most people were not aware of your equation with Sushant dating back several years. When they saw you being so involved in everything that happened since the time of his death, many questioned your presence at the forefront.
Kya main wait karta kisike bulave ka? Ya main yeh dekhta ki Sushant ki family se uski ek behen ke alava yahan aur koi nahi hai? People gossip; yehi saari cheezein thi jo shayad usko bhi bother karti thi. I am also going through my own grief because of his death.

There are a lot of theories and so much talk about what could have led to his death...
Suspense kuch nahi hai. Media ko kya jaldi hai? His family and friends are waiting for the investigation to get over. We will get our answers. We need to hang on. We have to understand everyone’s emotions. Maine family ka saath diya to mere pe ungli uthi. Kyun bhai? Investigations pe curiosity and bachpana kyun? It’s very stupid of us. His death is a sensitive matter. Everything has to be done carefully.