Late actor Sushant Singh Rajput made his Bollywood debut with filmmaker Abhishek Kapoor’s 2013 film Kai Po Che, and in 2018 he worked with the director in Kedarnath. 

Sushant was closely associated with Abhishek and his untimely death left him shocked. 

Three years after helming Kedarnath, Abhishek is back with Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui starring Aayushmann Khurana and Vaani Kapoor. 

In the opening credits of the film, the filmmaker has paid a tribute to his late friend Sushant. 

© Abhishek Kapoor Instagram

Remembering Sushant, in a recent interview with India Today, he talked about their bond and revealed behind the scenes details of how it had become difficult for him to complete Kedarnath as people didn’t believe in the actor. 

He said, “Sushant’s death was very painful for me. I made his first film and then I made Kedarnath. It is so strange. People were leaving Kedarnath saying Sushant is not a star. I was fighting for that movie. I put money from my own pocket to finish it. I was under so much pressure, but I had conviction so I had to make the film.” 

© Abhishek Kapoor Instagram

He further added, “While making Kedarnath, I knew Sushant was in pain. The thing is, once he passed away, the whole world became his fan. But it was not always like that. There was a system that didn’t let him believe how much he was loved. He did not get it. When he passed away, it’s like the whole country exploded and declared how much they loved him. That’s the tragedy.” 

© Abhishek Kapoor Instagram

Recently, on the three-year anniversary of Kedarnath, Abhishek took to Instagram to remember Sushant. A part of his caption read, “I can’t help but be reminded of the grave loss of this extraordinary soul who remains etched to the legacy of this film. I can still feel Mansoor there in the sacred mountainscapes looking right back at me with his characteristic smile reflecting all the innocence & beauty in this world.” 

Check out his post below: 

Upon its release, Kedarnath received fair reviews and turned out to be a box office success. 

Sushant followed it up with critically acclaimed Sonchiriya and box office hit Chhichhore, his last theatrical release. 

Post that he had two OTT releases - the ill-fated Drive and the posthumous release Dil Bechara.

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