Shreya Mukherjee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 4, 2020)

As investigation in Sushant Singh Rajput’s death continues to unearth shocking details, TV actor Krissann Barretto, who claims to be his “good friend”, revealed on social media that the late actor distanced himself from friends for almost a year. Alleging that Rajput’s girlfriend, actor Rhea Chakraborty, contributed to the change in his behaviour, Barretto wrote on Instagram, “After he started dating this female he was not allowed to be in touch with any of us!! His numbers were changed... We all tried reaching him but could not.”

Barretto, 24, says she last met Rajput on April 5, 2019. She recalls, “Sushant, his sister (Priyanka Singh), brother-in-law and I had a good time at his Pali Hill (Mumbai) residence. Sushant and I have a few common friends and we made plans of catching up with them.” But Rajput didn’t stay in touch. “We thought he has just fallen in love, and was going through his honeymoon phase... I tried contacting Sushant, but none of his closest friends had his number. I sent him a message on Instagram in March, but he didn’t reply,” she further reveals.

Barretto, however, says she doesn’t know much about Chakraborty. “I’ve never met her. I don’t think someone like Sushant — who motivated us to dream big, told us to write down our dreams, work hard to achieve them and was always there to help — can do this. He was very happy. Things changed when Rhea came in his life,” says the actor known for TV shows such as Sasural Simar Ka and Ishqbaaaz.

While she’s ready to help in the probe if required, Barretto had recently admitted on social media that she was scared. “Many of his friends are scared of opening up, fearing their career and life would be at risk. When I spoke, I got calls from some of them. I’m scared, too. If something like this can happen to Sushant, it can happen to anyone,” she shares.

She feels a proper probe is essential, adding, “I don’t think anyone in the right state of mind would put their life and career in jeopardy to speak for their friend, just for some personal agenda.”