The insensitive coverage of Sushant Singh Rajput’s suicide is everything that is wrong with the Indian media. Harassing family members and his close ones for a comment on his death, taking pictures of people (read celebrities) grieving at his funeral, and cooking up insensitive headlines for clicks is apparently what journalism is all about in this country. Sadly, that’s not where the problematic handling of the ace actor’s demise ends–netizens are outraged at Bollywood’s A-listers and blaming them for Sushant’s “murder”.
Now that you are up to date with what is going on, here is the most outrageous reaction that Bollywood decided to have, of all the reactions it could possibly have. Just when we thought this couldn’t get worse, reports are doing rounds that a film on the late actor’s life is in the making and its title, brace yourself, is ‘Suicide Or Murder – A Star Was Lost’. Speaking on behalf of all humanity, this is the worst that could happen to us this year.
While netizens are either mourning the loss or calling for a revolution against rampant nepotism in the industry, director Shamik Maulik together with Vijay Shekhar Gupta is hailing a film on the 34-year-old actor’s life. It’s only been five days and talks of commercialising an extremely tragic death are already doing the rounds. What the actual fuck!
The film is supposed to be based on how actors with no film background or famous parents enter Bollywood to try their luck and how the industry treats them with rejection. With this film, Shamik wants to lead by Sushant as one of the examples who have been victims of “the monopoly of the big stars and production houses of the film industry”. Quoting Shamik, Navbharat Times reports:
“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.”
I wouldn’t be so sure of it being “inspired by Sushant’s life”. Because from where I’m standing, it sounds more like inspired by his death. Why else would one wait this long for an exposé if one is well aware of it?
Vijay, on the other hand, told Indian Express, “It will be based on thorough research of the star’s life, and we will be talking to a lot of other actors who are considered ‘outsiders’ in the industry. Star kids will not be a part of this film. We will be working with a rising star who is not a star kid,” confirming that they will start shooting in a few months.
The film will be released on VSG Binge, an upcoming OTT platform by Vishant Shekhar Gupta. This film will be their first production. A motion poster of the film has already been released on their Instagram page.
What are your thoughts about yet another incident of Bollywood’s (not sure if they qualify as a fraternity member yet) shallowness at the expense of someone’s death?
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