Theatre person Nita Mohindra played Sushant Singh Rajput’s mother in MS Dhoni–The Untold Story. She recalls her association with the late actor‘A simple, sweet guy, who was a go-getter’
Neha Saini
Sushant Singh Rajput’s death has come as a blow to many, including fans and Bollywood celebs. There has been an outpour of emotions and remembrance, especially from actors and directors, who had worked with him.
Actor Nita Mohindra, who worked with Rajput in one of the biggest films of his career, MS Dhoni’s biopic, too shared her memories of the young and talented star, who broke industry norms and made it on his own in an industry infamous for its approach towards ‘outsiders’.
“I remember him as a very simple and sweet guy. We worked with each other for over a month while shooting for MS Dhoni–The untold Story and given my teaching background, he shared with me that he had won the physics Olympiad in school. He was well read and an intelligent guy, who went against the tide leaving the prospect of being an IITian and choosing to work on his first TV break,” said Nita, who played the role of Sushant’s mother in the film.
“He had conviction and was a go-getter. Maybe that’s why he managed to find success in the industry that is unforgiving sometimes.”
Mohindra, who is also a theatre actor and a teacher, hails from Amritsar and has currently shifted to Mumbai. Talking about pressures of the film industry, she says, “This industry has a different set of pressures and your success doesn’t define happiness. We have had so many successful young actors coming forward and talking about mental health. Sushant was very close to Neeraj Pandey (director), who is an angel of a guy, but no one could know till the end that Sushant was suffering from depression. While it is tragic that Sushant decided not to share what was troubling him with anyone, it is also a fact that despite the best of intentions you cannot reach out to someone who might be suffering from loneliness and depression.”
She says that coming from a close-knit unit of family and friends in Amritsar, it’s hard for people from small towns to adapt to Mumbai’s practicality. “Back home, if I am upset, my friends would know by just looking at my face or hearing my voice. But Mumbai lacks that kind of support system. Also, when you are an A-lister in the industry, you are scared to talk about any mental health issue as there is a lot at stake, including your professional value as a brand.”
