Veteran actor Simi Garewal has spoken on the end of Sushant Singh Rajput and said that the status quo in the film industry must change. Simi Garewal, the actor of the yesteryears and a celebrated TV host, said that Sushant Singh Rajput’s death must awaken the film industry like George Floyd’s death shook America and led to the current Black Lives Matter uprising.
“I’m distraught at what Sushant Singh Rajput endured ... and also what many 'outsiders' go through in Bollywood. It must change! When George Floyd was killed in America it set forth an awakening. In the same way, Sushant Singh Rajput's death may be the harbinger of awakening in Bollywood,” the actress wrote.
Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide a month ago when he was at the peak of his career. He was said to be suffering from depression but a lot of people from and outside the film industry raised the issue of Bollywood’s treatment of outsiders, people who do not have roots in the industry.
Simi Garewal also hinted at a powerful person who had viciously tried to destroy her career but she did not name that powerful person. “I stayed silent. Because I am not so brave,” she said, referring to Kangana Ranaut, who has named Bollywood biggies who have blacklisted, banned, and declared outcast actors for not conforming to their cliques.
“I applaud Kangana Ranaut who is braver & bolder than I am,” Simi said.
The outspoken Kangana Ranaut has not minced words since Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic end because like him, she too has been an outsider struggling to make a mark. Like him, she too has been exploited and then thrown out of the big league. And like him, she too did reach the top of her game.
Sushant Singh Rajput could not sign films offered by Sanjay Leela Bhansali because he was tied to a contract with YRF Talent, the talent management arm of Yash Raj Films. The same films went to Ranveer Singh. All the films went on to become blockbusters.
Sushant Singh Rajput was offered films by YRF that he did not want to do and their differences led to a showdown, according to Kangana Ranaut, that resulted in Sushant Singh Rajput being banished by big studios. Yash Raj Films dropped the ambitious Shekhar Kapur film, Paani. According to Kangana Ranaut, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions produced Drive starring Sushant Singh Rajput but did not give it a theatrical release to spite him.
In tweets and interviews, Kangana Ranaut has also named film critic Rajeev Masand for running blind items that destroyed Sushant Singh Rajput’s confidence and ruined his reputation.
She, however, repeatedly said that she did not want Masand or Karan Johar to be punished for systematically targeting Sushant Singh Rajput but for the industry to make amends that allows the outsiders a level-playing field.
Simi Garewal is in awe of Kangana Ranaut for calling a spade a spade, regardless of its consequences. Kangana Ranaut has given a series of superhit women-centric films including Queen, Manikarnika and Panga.
ALSO READ | Sushant Singh Rajput death case: Aditya Chopra records statement with Mumbai Police
ALSO READ | Sushant Singh Rajput was offered Ramleela, Bajirao Mastani, Padmaavat: Bhansali tells cops
ALSO WATCH | Sushant Singh Rajput case update: Mumbai Police records Aditya Chopra's statement
