Hindustan Times (Patiala)

Sushant was so full of enthusiasm, life and energy, says Nitesh Tiwari

- As told to Monika Rawal Kukreja

At this point of time, it is too shocking. I mean, for me, it’s going to take a while for this news to sink in. I never thought that a day like this would come when I have to hear something like this about Sushant, somebody who I’ve seen closely while we were making Chhichhore (2019). Honestly, it’s very difficult for me to use the term ‘was’ in Sushant’s context and unfortunat­ely, I’ll have to do that — refer to him as ‘was’ and not ‘is’.

I don’t think I can talk about his talent. His work is there for everybody to see. What I found while working with him was that man was so full of enthusiasm, life, energy, and he took his work extremely profession­ally. He was always looking for improvemen­t. He had this habit of going out of his way to make his colleagues and his juniors comfortabl­e while working with him.

He had so many plans. He wanted to do so much, and not just acting. He would discuss those plans with me, he would show great enthusiasm and would always sound very excited about those things. Today, I saw this report abut his death on news, and I just didn’t believe it. I double checked that whether it’s the Sushant I know that they’re talking about. I still don’t believe it, I called up a few friends and I called up Sajid (Nadiadwala; producer) sir also just to check if it was him. This is how difficult it is for me to come to terms with it. It’s such a sad news. We will have to live with this reality for the rest of our lives.

The dialogues of Chhichhore (suicide is not the solution to anything in life), in retrospect, is only ironical to what has happened with him. His performanc­e and the film gave hope to so many youngsters. So, I don’t think it can be termed as anything but ironical. I so, so wish that he had picked up a phone and called anyone, just anyone, but it didn’t happen. It’s a personal loss for me and a big loss for the industry also. We’ve lost such a talented young man.

May his soul rest in peace.

Sushant’s performanc­e in Chhichhore gave hope to youngsters. So, it can’t be termed as anything but ironical. NITESH TIWARI DIRECTOR

 ?? PHOTO: PRABHAS ROY/HT ??
PHOTO: PRABHAS ROY/HT

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