Shashank Vyas Says That He Connects To Sushant On A Very Personal Level

Jyothi Venkatesh

Sushant Singh Rajput's death came as a blow to the whole nation, but there were some who were particularly shaken by the news. Actor Shashank Vyas was one of them. He says the "Kai Po Che!" actor was found dead on June 14, and he has been keeping an eye on the news since June 15. While the whole country stands divided between #JusticeForSSR and #JusticeForRhea, the "Balika Vadhu" actor said all those who are standing up for Rhea Chakraborty now and are implying that she is good, then was Sushant bad?He also feels that they can't accuse others of taking sides when they are being biased themselves.

"All those people saying that you shouldn't speculate about the case, you shouldn't be judgemental, I just want to say that they are also doing the same, aren't they? After more than two months they have realised that Rhea is a good girl, if they were so sure, they should have made these statements earlier. And if Rhea is good, then was Sushant bad? So all those people calling it a witch-hunting and saying that CBI will find out the truth, I guess they should also not be biased, they should have stated neutral because Sushant was also a part of their industry," he said. Shashank feels that there is an energy which has brought all SSR's fans and others across the globe together and that's how the #JusticeForSSR campaign started. He also credits the loyal fans of the late actor for all the developments in the case.

"It happened because God wanted it to happen. Technically if you see everyone was free during the lockdown, they had their phones in their hands, and people were attached to the young actor. But I feel some energy wanted this to happen and that's why it happened. He rose to popularity from television. And people are emotionally very attached to daily soap actors and his show 'Pavitra Rishta' was quite popular. He never played the safe game and if you see he played different roles in all the nine films that he did. His loyal fans were keeping an eye on each and every video put out by the media post his death, people went to the extent that they would pause and zoom the videos to get a clear picture. So from social media it came to the mainstream media, and it became a rage. And it's not only in India, it's overseas too," he said.

Asked what his views on why Bollywood kept mum on the whole controversy in the initial days, he said, "You can't compel anyone to talk about it. If I have an opinion about something, then I need to voice it out. Just because I am talking about something, doesn't mean others will follow suit. It's an individual choice. Also, it was not because someone said something on the case, but solely because of SSR's fans. Whatever development and investigation started, it was just because of them. I have been following this case since day one, and whatever I felt I have posted it on my Twitter or Instagram. But I can't expect others to do the same, that will be wrong of me."

Rhea, who was Sushant's girlfriend and also a prime suspect in his case, was arrested by the NCB over the alleged drug pending angle in the case. Recently, while on her way to the NCB office for interrogation, the "Jalebi" actress was mobbed by the media. Shashank criticised their action and said, "I saw the pics when Rhea was mobbed by the photographers outside the NCB office. I am totally against that. How can the media be so unethical? Guilty, not guilty, keep that question aside, but she is a woman and they should have maintained a distance. Where did all the big talks on social-distancing go? They should have followed a proper protocol. They should have brought her with security. They need to decide whether they are seeking justice, or they are just doing it for TRP. And the COVID-19 cases are still increasing now, so they should have maintained a distance."

He also slammed the loud debates on news channels and repeatedly using words like "drugs and murder". He feels that because of the current pandemic situation all the kids are stuck at home, and this will certainly not have a good impact on them."First parents taught their kids about social-distancing because of COVID-19, then the media mobbed Rhea. If I was a kid, I would have definitely questioned my parents about what went wrong with the media's social-distancing. And those loud debates on TV, even on the lowest volume, you can hear their loud voices. Then they keep on using words like drugs, and murder etc. What kind of example are we setting for the coming generation. Imagine these kids will grow up thinking that it's all very normal. So we all want justice, but the media should be responsible enough in presenting the news at least. This is the least we can do for the next generation," he said.

The CBI is still investigating the case and the "Roop - Mard Ka Naya Swaroop" actor said that the truth will soon come out, adding, "CBI is working on a different level in the case and they are very professional in their approach. And it is very private and confidential, I guess what the audience is seeing is what the media wants to show."Lastly, Shashank said that though he didn't know Sushant, he connected with him as they both shared a lot of similarities. Explaining it further, he said, "I connected to Sushant on a very personal level, he also came from a small town like me, he switched from TV to Bollywood, and even I am making my Bollywood debut soon, he lost his mother and so did I. It felt like the loss of someone close. Depression can happen to anyone, but that does not necessarily mean that you will commit suicide. We have so many examples from Bollywood who suffered from depression, but did they commit suicide? So if someone is depressed doesn't mean that he or she will commit suicide. I guess people should stop connecting depression with his death, and wait for the CBI to uncover the truth."