‘Disgusting that Sushant’s death used for ulterior motives’

As discussions around nepotism in Bollywood, fuelled by actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, spark an outrage, a video in which actor Swara Bhasker is seen talking to filmmaker Karan Johar on nepotism has gone viral. Commenting on it, she says, “Right now, things are being said and people being blamed, but Karan being vilified is unnecessary. I don’t think Karan, Alia (Bhatt, actor), Sonam (K Ahuja, actor) had anything to do with what happened with Sushant. It’s not a fair accusation.”

“In the video, one can see that Karan is accepting that he might have chosen people who were right in front of him, and things should change. It’s disgusting that Sushant’s death is being used for ulterior motives by some people. We must give Sushant dignity in his death and celebrate his life,” Bhasker, 32, adds.

Stressing the need to make mental health the focus of discussions, she states, “One shouldn’t trivialise it by saying people get depressed because they weren’t invited for a party or because someone gave a stupid answer about them on a chat show. If that is your understanding, then you don’t know what depression is.”

While she has made her mark with her acting, Bhasker has also been vocal about many political issues. Ask her if her political ideologies affect her career and vice versa, and she says, “If you are a woman, and a woman in a public sphere, you will be trolled for some or the other reason... I am grateful that people respect my voice and that I have an identity and credibility as a person. After 10 years in the industry, I could have done more, yet I feel proud of my body of work.”

PHOTO: INSTAGRAM/ REALLYSWARA