A decade ago, Ekta Kapoor launched Sushant Singh Rajput in her production Kis Desh Mein Hai Meraa Dil, an Indian drama serial that aired on Star Plus for the next two years. However, a case has been filed against the famed producer in Bihar’s Muzaffarpur for allegedly abetting suicide of the late actor on June 17.
In response, Ekta Kapoor wrote in an Instagram post: “Thank you for the case, for not casting Sushi, when actually I launched him! I’m beyond upset at how convoluted theories can be! Please let family and friends mourn in peace! Truth shall prevail. Cannot believe this!!!”
Sushant, who made a name for himself on the small screen, especially with Pavitra Rishta, where he played the lead role, received his breakthrough role in Abhishek Kapoor's Kai Po Che, based on Chetan Bhagat's bestselling book The Three Mistakes of My Life.
He was found hanging at his Bandra home earlier on Sunday morning. The preliminary post-mortem of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput confirmed that he had committed suicide.
Sushant was suffering from depression for the last six months and also undergoing treatment at the Hinduja Hospital.
His suicide sparked debates about nepotism and the closed culture in Bollywood. Many suspect that Sushant was ostracized by the industry which led to his untimely death.
Advocate Sudhir Kumar Ojha filed a case in Bihar against eight members of the film industry, including Karan Johar, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Salman Khan and Ekta Kapoor.
“In the complaint, I have alleged that Sushant Singh Rajput was removed from around seven films and some of his films were not released. Such a situation was created which forced him to take the extreme step,” the advocate said.
The case has been filed against Sections 306 (abetment of suicide), 109 (punishment of abetment if the act abetted is committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation).
Earlier, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh tweeted: “there are media reports that he allegedly suffered from clinical depression because of professional rivalry”. Deshmukh said that the alleged rivalry would also be thoroughly investigated by the Mumbai police in connection with Sushant’s suicide.