Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead on June 14, 2020, at his Mumbai apartment sending shock waves across the country. His fans and colleagues were stunned by his untimely death and still keep sharing about the grief of losing him.
The 34-year- old actor's (age at the time of his death) life and film career was short-lived, however, he gave some memorable performances to cherish.
Before hitting the big screen in his debut in Kai Po Che in 2013, Rajput was a household name from his television stint produced under Ekta Kapoor's banner Balaji Pavitra Rishta.
After doing TV for several years, Sushant decided to enter Bollywood because it was only acting he knew and was ambitious about his love for acting. In 2013, he made a crackling debut with the film Kai Po Che! He wasn't one of those actors who did four to five films in a year, rather since his Bollywood entry, the actor did only 12 movies. But with each film, Rajput impressed the audience with his stellar performance and slowly made his way to the A-listed celebrity category. He chose his scripts with care and displayed sincerity and worked hard for the character, eventually becoming everyone's favourite.
Be it playing a commitment-phobic young man in a romantic comedy - Shuddh Desi Romance, or a fierce dacoit in Sonchiriya or sweet lovable and hardworking guy in Kedarnath or a man who showed what true love is worth waiting with his Pakistani man character in PK, Sushant thrilled the audience and fans with his choice of roles and his coming out of his comfort zone and eagerness to learn and deliver solid performance is still remembered. His reel characters were just like him filled with energy and heart.
On the day of his first death anniversary, let's remember the young talent who left us too soon through some of his best performances.
Kai Po Che! (2013)
Streaming on Netflix
This was an atypical Bollywood debut, however, this gave Sushant a grand entry into Hindi Film Industry. A story of three friends Sushant, Amit Sadh and Rajkumar Rai, who want to set up a cricket shop and academy in Ahmedabad. Based on the Godhra train burning incident, following riots, this movie depicted how religion and politics affected these three friends' equations, dreams and life. Though Sadh and Rao's character change their course, Sushant remains adamant about his dream and looks at things with brighter aspects.
Shuddh Desi Romance (2013)
Streaming on YouTube, Amazon Prime Video
It was unconventional to opt for such a film that had completely a different angle. Set in Jaipur, Sushant plays a young guy who rents baaraati, falls for a woman on his way to his wedding. Sushant fiddled a progressive role in the live-in relationship. His character was sandwiched between two women and played a commitment-phobic, fun and confused man very well.
Also Read: Are Central Agencies shrouding the investigation of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death Mystery?
Detective Byomkesh Bakshy! (2015)
Streaming on Amazon Prime Video, YouTube
Rajput in this mystery flick showed off his acting chops inspired by the iconic Bengali detective character. This movie was critically acclaimed and Rajput's performance was lauded by many critics.
Dhoni: The Untold Story
Streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar
Sushant Singh Rajput rose to stardom with the portrayal of Indian Cricket team captain and skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The movie followed the inspiring and motivating story of Dhoni from childhood to the time he became a successful captain of the Indian cricket team and a renowned player in the world. Sushant had effortlessly essayed the role of Dhoni, from his hairstyle, accent to body language, making it look real.
Sonchiriya (2019)
Streaming on Zee5
This dacoit drama is set in Chambal ravines in the 1970s which starred many prominent actors, is a violent story of poverty, caste struggles and gender. In this action-packed thriller, Sushant Singh Rajput’s performance as Lakhna is fierce and depressing and makes this performance stand out amongst others. His character Lakhna is uncompromising and duty-bound, even if his idea of duty can change aimlessly.
Also Read: Sushant Singh Rajput’s list of 50 dreams: From sending 100 kids to Nasa to Meditate in Kailash
Chhichhore (2019)
Streaming on Disney Plus Hotstar
Rajput's last film on the silver screen is an extremely heartbreaking story of a suicide attempt. He played the role much older than his real age, a father of a teenager who tries to make him understand that failure is not the end. His son attempts suicide after he failed in securing admission to a particular college. His father and distant friends come together to take the boy out of trauma. The film follows a nostalgic flashback of his now-divorced parent's college life. This film is a bittersweet yet fun movie filled with life, friendship and the importance of trying even if you do not succeed. Sushant's character depicts no matter what makes life worth living. A dialogue that follows the idea behind the film is - There's nothing more important in life than life itself.