7 Ways in which Sushant Singh Rajput’s death changed Bollywood

By Subhash K. Jha -

June 14, 2021 - 12:22 PM IST

1. Blind articles banned: The unsavoury practice of writing unsubstantiated slanderous stories on stars and escaping legal repercussions by not naming (and yet shaming) the vilified star , stopped with Sushant’s death after his frenzied inconsolable fans dug out a series of defamatory “blind” items on the star. They blamed those blind stories for Sushant’s death. All portals have stopped the ugly practice of blind items.

7 Ways in which Sushant Singh Rajput’s death changed Bollywood

2. Bollywood under scrutiny: Never before had the Indian entertainment industry been so unsparingly under the microscope. The once-sacred sacrosanct equation between stars and fans changed overnight. Stars were no longer hero-worshipped, as after Sushant’s sordid end there began a rigorous scrutiny of the ills that plague the film industry, from astronomical star fees to allegations of stars being in touch with drug dealers, somehow the Indian entertainment lost its sheen after Sushant as the dark underbelly of the entertainment business was revealed.

3. End of filmy camps: Whether it was Karan Johar or Mahesh Bhatt, the prolonged era of Raj Durbar (so named because it started with Raj Kapoor’s famous camp summits) came to an inglorious end.

4. Star prices deescalate: Rs. 100 crores, 120 crores, 160 crores….no, these are not box office figures. These are prices actually paid to individual stars. With Sushant’s death audiences rejected the draconian star system. They (rightly) questioned why a handful of stars are paid a massive fortune when they cannot even ensure an impressive opening. Why should Post-Sushant, all the monetary braggadocio came to an end.

5. Rave parties a thing of the past: Actors sozzled to their gills, glazed eyes and parched lips...you won’t see any of that any more. The Narcotics Control Bureau made sure that stars stayed away from all things high-high. I remember the ultimate screen diva at a private party attended mainly by members of her illustrious in-law’s clan, coming down the stairs so drunk she tripped and fell down the stairs. Yes, the film industry is cleaner, thanks to Sushant.

6. Bollywood more welcoming to outsiders: Was Sushant a victim of nepotism? While the jury is still out on that one, it is true that after his death the industry has become kinder to newcomers, actors who are unconnected to the film industry are more welcome. Karan Johar is all set to launch Lakshya, the first outsider since Siddharth Malhotra to be launched by Johar’s Dharma Productions.

7. Sushant is a metaphor: “Don’t do a Sushant on him”…. Or “It feels like a Sushant moment” …every time a non-industry actor is treated badly Sushant’s name is used as a warning. The name Sushant Singh Rajput has become a cautionary metaphor for any producers who dares to plot a newcomer’s downfall. Recently when Kartik Aaryan was bullied by the movie mafia, a protective chorus invoking Sushant’s name rent the air. Long live Sushant.

Also Read: Remembering Sushant Singh Rajput: Friend Rumi Jaffrey still can’t believe he’s gone