I met the late Sushant Singh Rajput only once. I vividly remember he was playing snooker all by himself at a party thrown by a successful young TV producer. Kai Po Che had released and he was a more recognizable figure. Fit, famous and non-farcical, he was sheepish owing to rumours about his rift with then girlfriend, Ankita Lokhande.
When we got introduced, he smiled and said, “yaar, accha accha likha karo.” I smiled back. The zest for life was palpable. Personally, I don’t remember writing anything on Sushant, but he saw me as a representation of all that was being written about, maybe. Later, he went about his business, I went on meeting more people.
His death has shattered the collective conscious of many and the murmurs refuse to die, something which the easily ‘forgetful and moving on’ country has never seen.
The clamour is now a deafening clarion call, demanding justice for beloved Sushant.
And I must admit with much gratefulness that one man, who is arguably the most-watched journalist in the country, has taken the issue by its proverbial horn.
When many media outlets tip-toed putting balanced perspectives to placate sentiments of all parties, Arnab Goswami of Republic TV, dared to call a spade a spade.
Arnab’s poignant, pertinent and non-preposterous interviews with Kangana Ranaut and Ankita Lokhande set the cat among the pigeons. He opened the Pandora’s Box and since then, the mystery around Sushant Singh Rajput’s case has taken a new turn.
He took a factual stance asking questions which the nation wanted to know. No gimmick, no gibberish, a mere gamut of revelations which set the tone right, giving direction to an otherwise radarless scheme of things, reverberating in the sentiments of all Indians, his topics of discussion trending night after night, debate after debate on social media.
No one can say if Sushant was murdered or not, however, if a big star like Sushant can be left so vulnerable to end his life, imagine the plight of normal citizens.
One seeks to learn the cause which led to the unfortunate effect.
There is no denying the fact that post Mr Goswami’s questions, the investigation has gained a new colour and now, it has come to a stage where Sushant’s father has gone on to put up a valiant front to seek justice.
I am no one to judge what is right or wrong, however, answers are needed, the entire nation awaits justice, whatever be it.
Hate him love him but, credit where credit’s due.
Keep the fight on till the end, Mr Goswami. Only when the truth is revealed, shall Sushant rest in peace.