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

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

Sushant you said we would play tennis together one day .. you were so full of life and laughs .. spreading smiles everywhere you went.. we didn’t even know you were hurting this bad Disappointed face the world will miss you .. shaking while I write this .. RIP my friend

I have just received a call about Sushant’s death. I am extremely heartbroken. I met him on the sets of Chhichhore . He did not make me feel like it was my first film and by the end of the film he became like a brother to me. The manner in which we have lost him is extremely shocking.

Deeply saddened. My heart goes out to Sushants family at this time. Reminiscing and cherishing every moment of our Dhoni shoot. Can’t believe this.. gone too too soon

This news is both sad and shocking. I

He was very respectful on the sets and very passionate about acting as well as about science. He, Sara (Ali Khan) and I used to have a lot of fun and discussion on the sets of Kedarnath (2018). I have spent a lot of time with him. I never felt that he was depressed or anything. A few months ago, though, I came to know via a common friend that he was feeling low about his films not releasing

He was so young. This news came as a big shock. He was a promising actor and in a few more years, his talent would have blossomed beautifully. He was one of those actors who came from a humble background and did so well for himself. I would bump into him here and there but a-year-and-a-half back I met him at a resort. I saw him from a distance and waved at him and came running to meet me. We spoke a lot that night and discussed cinema.

PHOTO: PRABHAS ROY/HT