Sushant Singh Rajput: Indian film industry pays condolences

Bollywood continued expressing grief and disbelief over the demise of Sushant Singh Rajput.

From superstars Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithtik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan, to co-stars and colleagues including Varun Dhawan, Disha Patani, Anushka Sharma, Jacqueline Fernandez, and Kiara Advani, to filmmakers including Karan Johar, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and Ekta Kapoor, everyone expressed shock while remembering the "young", "talented" and "wonderful" actor on social media.

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"He loved me so much... I will miss him so much. His energy, enthusiasm and his full happy smile. May Allah bless his soul and my condolences to his near and dear ones. This is extremely sad....and so shocking," Shah Rukh tweeted along with an image in which he can be seen sharing smiles with the late actor.

Paying condolences to Sushant, Hrithik Roshan tweeted: "Deeply saddened and shocked to hear about Sushant. My heart goes out to his family and loved ones. He had so much life in him. Extremely disheartening news."

Varun Dhawan recalled the memorable time spent with Sushant. "I really can't believe this. Sushant was a wonderful actor and I still remember the times I spent with him. His performance always inspired me. Deepest condolences to his fans and family. RIP #SushantSinghRajput," he wrote.

Anushka Sharma, who shared screen space with Sushant in "PK", wrote: "Sushant, you were too young and brilliant to have gone so soon. I'm so sad and upset knowing that we lived in an environment that could not help you through any troubles you may have had. May your soul rest in peace." Along with the post, she shared a few stills from "PK".

Sushant's "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story" co-star Kiara Advani expressed: "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. Broken heart."

Jacqueline Fernandez posted a video of a dance performance with Sushant. The actress, who co-starred with the late actor in the digital film "Drive", wrote: "Sush... I'm so sorry... RIP."

Karan Johar, who produced "Drive" posted a long, emotional note on Instagram. "I blame myself for not being in touch with you for the past year..... I have felt at times like you may have needed people to share your life with...but somehow I never followed up on that feeling...will never make that mistake again...we live in very energetic and noisy but still very isolated times ...some of us succumb to these silences and go within...we need to not just make relationships but also constantly nurture them....Sushants unfortunate demise has been a huge wake up call to me ...to my level of compassion and to my ability to foster and protect my equations.....I hope this resonates with all of you as well....will miss your infectious smile and your bear hug," wrote Johar.

Saif Ali Khan wrote: "He was way too young with talent and intelligence and a whole life ahead. Terrible that he felt that this was the way out. Very very sad."

Producer Ekta Kapoor, who introduced Sushant as the lead actor in the hit TV show "Pavitra Rishta", has posted a screenshot of her last conversation with Sushant on Instagram.

"Not fair Sushi. One week everything changed. Not fair my baby," Ekta wrote.

Sidharth Malhotra remembered Sushant as a "fellow colleague with such good work backing him"

"Gone to soon, rest in peace bro. My prayer with his family and loved ones #SushantSinghRajput," he added.

Filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari spoke about her future plans with Sushant which they had discussed together.

"We had to discuss so many more unread books. Speak about biomimicry. So much more to explore in life. Why my dear one. Why God. So many more unread books. Speak about biomimicry. So much more to explore in life. Why my dear one. Why God," Ashwini tweeted.

Sushant was just 34. News of his death comes within days of the news of his manager Disha Salian's passing away.

Sushant is best known for his titular role in Neeraj Pandey's 2016 release, ‘MS Dhoni: The Untold Story', the biopic of former Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

He made his film debut in Abhishek Kapoor's 2013 release, "Kai Po Che", and was seen in films like "Chhichhore", "Detective Byomkesh Bakshi", "Raabta", "Kedarnath" and "Shudh Desi Romance".

Before Bollywood, Sushant had a stint on television. He rose to fame with "Pavitra Rishta", which also starred his ex-girlfriend Ankita Lokhande. He worked as a backup dancer in Bollywood before getting his big break as an actor.

Sushant was working in Mukesh Chhabra's "Dil Bechara" when shooting was stalled owing to the nationwide lockdown.

Among those who took to social media later on Sunday to express condolences was Salman Khan. "U will be missed ... #RIPSushant," wrote the superstar in a short message conveying his grief.

Sushant's co-stars and director from his debut film "Kai Po Che" (2013) also took to social media to express grief. "This is so unfair. Gone too soon. I'll always cherish our conversations on acting and cinema. You'll be missed bhai. May God give strength to his family and loved ones. Rest in Peace brother," wrote Rajkummar Rao.

Amit Sadh, who also starred in the film, tweeted: "I am sorry... I did not come to your rescue... Will regret all my life for not reaching out! Right now very sad but will cherish the time we shared filming Kai po che...Rest in peace bhai."

"Kai Po Che" director Abhishek Kapoor wrote: "I am shocked and deeply saddened by the loss of my friend. We made two very special films together. He was a generous and fabulous actor, who worked very hard to breathe life into his characters. I pray for his family, shoes loss is unmeasurable. He was a huge science buff and what consumed by what lay beyond in the universe. I'm going to miss you brother. Stay interstellar."

Neeraj Pandey, who directed Sushant in the blockbuster "MS Dhoni: The Untold Story", recalled an incident while expressing his sorrow.

"One day Sushant dropped in at the office and as I opened my arms for our customary hug, he surprised me by bending and touching my feet.
‘Ab ye kya nautanki hai?'
‘Sir dil kiya aur aaj se jab bhi miloonga, yahi hoga.'
‘Khush raho.'
And since then he kept dropping in and every time he used to reach out, I used to stop him and say, ‘khush raho.'
Obviously, it didn't work.
RIP Sushant. You are a favourite. Will always be. And let me try once again. Jahan bhi ho... khush raho," wrote Neeraj Pandey.

Vaani Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra, Sushant's co-stars in the 2013 release, "Shudh Desi Romance" also took to social media to share their emotions.

"Sush I will miss you buds," wrote Parineeti.

"It's heartbreaking. Lots of love.. RIP

Young actress Sara Ali Khan did not have words to express her grief. She just posted emojis of love, broken heart and tears.

Bollywood couple Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ai Khan shared their condolences on Sushant's death on the actress's Instagram account. "This is such terrible news. Praying you find peace Sushant. Strength to his family. Saif and Kareena," they wrote.

Among industry colleagues who expressed condolences was Sonu Sood. "Today we lost a friend, a colleague & this loss is irreparable. I request my friends from the media not to sensationalise this, I request everyone not to share images. A boy who came to this city with dreams in his eyes and achieved so much has left us forever. Let him go in peace," he wrote.

Meanwhile, for all those who have reacted with disbelief over the news, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha had an angry retort: "Shut up that you can't believe it."