The year 2020 is synonymous with turbulence. There are shocks and surprises; there are fears and uncertainties as well. Man who has been boasting of his achievements lately is struggling to survive after the Coronavirus invasion. I’m taking my series ‘Mysteries of 2020’ to next level with the unusual death of Sushant Singh Rajput. The untimely demise of the rising Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput stirred the calmness induced by the deadly disease. The ambitious actor known for his outstanding acting skills in recent films M.S. Dhoni- The Untold Story and Chhichhore was found dead at his home in Mumbai on 14th June this year (2020 it is!). His lifeless body was seen hanging from the ceiling fan. The Mumbai Police reported that it was a suicide. However, the theory didn’t go well with many people and they claimed that it was a murder.
The mysterious death of Sushant Singh Rajput is about the conflict that shook the nation.
Role of Media in SSR Murder Mystery
It will be an injustice on my part if I don’t refer to the role of media in SSR’s death probe. In the last four months, the news channels have been extra enthusiastic to report on the information helpful (!) in the case. It was the media’s pressure that CBI agreed to investigate the issue, as we were told by our favourite news anchors.
While the people of the country are tuned to the media channels to stay updated with the latest on SSR death, the rising TRP cannot stop us from thinking about the unfair practices used to gain ranking.
“Are we believing the media-houses with closed eyes?” The question haunts me and I want to know the answer because the strong media platforms are shaping our lives. Literally!
Though Police and CBI couldn’t reach any conclusion in the SSR death probe, the media was quick to declare it a cold-blooded murder. They know that a murder mystery fetches more viewership than any other genre. I could be wrong but four months is a pretty long time to broadcast one death when many people are dying every day!
Drugs have a role in SSR death Mystery!?
More than a month after SSR’s unusual death, the drug theory started streaming on the media outlets.
Sushant Singh Rajput’s girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty was blamed for slowly poisoning him with fatal overdoses of toxic drugs. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) summoned many Bollywood actors based on the leaked WhatsApp chats. The public was glued to television channels when Rhea Chakraborty, Deepika Padukone, Sara Ali Khan walked to the enquiry house. Anchors abused Bollywood celebrities and a few politicians on the National television. The focus shifted from SSR murder to ‘druggy Bollywood’ and ‘Boycott Bollywood’. The gripping ‘plot’ made us addicted to our TV sets.
While the country was struggling with Covid19, the news channels had only SSR death on their mind. Though I am one of those who are addicted to TV channels to find the reason for SSR death, the deliberate distraction started to suffocate me.
Was Money A Motive behind SSR Death?
Yes, they had a money laundering angle in the SSR case. Enforcement Directorate jumped into the probe because Sushant’s father had filed an FIR against Rhea Chakraborty, her family, and others, accusing them of abetting Sushant’s suicide. He alleged that 15 crores were transferred from Sushant’s bank account to various bank accounts. He also blamed Rhea and her family for confining Sushant and pushing him towards suicide. Enforcement Directorate found no big transactions of money and the claim fell flat.
The confused audience is juggling between SUICIDE and MURDER depending on the debates running on the news platforms.
Political Angle Can’t be Denied
The Political angle to the Sushant death case can’t be denied. It is indicated by the reporters that the death of Sushant Singh Rajput is taking controversial turns due to the involvement of political leaders. Let’s look back at the series of events that led to ‘nowhere’.
* Mumbai Police announced SSR death as a suicide. Everybody accepted. Even the family didn’t indicate any doubt.
– A series of crazy adventures was waiting to be exploded.
* Many days passed. One fateful day, girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty’s involvement was indicated by the father of SSR. He lodged an FIR against her.
– Today, she is moving freely, no strict action has been taken against her. Why was the blame fabricated?
* Proofs of Bollywood actors taking drugs started circulating.
– We are made to believe that such things do happen and if you’re not aware, come out of your turtle shell. Oh yes, Bollywood is always ahead of our cultural restrictions.
* Money laundering case was filed but nothing substantial materialized after days of hearing and media-drama.
– ED confirmed that no big money transactions are involved in this case. The audience felt cheated!;)
With Bihar elections around the corner, can we neglect the role of politics in turning a death into a full-fledged 4-month movie?
Note that the shouting news anchors have calmed down and Bollywood movies are returning to lead their shows.
When is the first of April ending?
PANORAMIC RIPPLES 
This is a mystery and still a mystery. Hope truth will prevail and people responsible will be punished.
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We are waiting for that day
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The first line of your post is just apt – The year 2020 is synonymous with turbulence.
Yes it is with so much of unusual things happening.
I loved reading this post. To be honest I still can’t believe that SSR is no more and I can’t see his lovely and lively smile again. Thanks for sharing this.
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Thanks
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2020 and it’s mysterious is rather confusing and creating a bubble of conversation. Loved the way you have penned
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Thanks Afreen
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Truly hope that the truth comes out someday and soon..
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Fingers crossed
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Nothing can define the year 2020. It is a mystery in itself and such tragic events just add to the element of intrigue. Wish the truth is unveiled soon.
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Really we want justice to prevail
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Really dont want to comment on this topic. Disturbing to see this turn of events
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I can understand
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Quite a mysterious case it was! Let’s see what comes forth
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We are glued, yes!
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Glad you wrote this. This ‘Media Trial’ was a Media Circus from the word go. It is really sad to see how everyone disrespected the man they claimed to be fighting for.
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Thanks Mayuri
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This is such a tragic death in already tough times, seriously wish things get resolved soon
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I swear
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I really don’t know what the truth is but the hype and drama over a tragic death must be devastating for the family. They’ve to watch the show and allegations over their son’s death. it must be so traumatic for them.
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True
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Yes, all these incidents are constantly shown on television with no end result. People ask when Crime Patrol solves the cases then why not this? The answer is simply that they show what they want to show and is allowed to show to the public.
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A few years ago a friend of mine told me that the news channels show what they want us to know. I was reluctant to believe…now I understand that 99%media is paid/TRP-based.
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Absolutely
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This is the biggest mystery of the year and I guess sometimes mysteries remains unresolved. Liked your analysis for this one.
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Thanks.
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This will always remain a mystery. We lost a good actor that is sad but the media disrespected him by making his death a means to earn TRP.
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I have the same intuition.
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There have been a lot of speculations surrounding SSR’s passing. While the circus continues, I pray that his soul finds eternal peace and rest.
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Amen.
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I followed this case from the highs to the lows, when it lost all the steam! Unfortunately, our law and judiciary are under tremendous pressure and hence such mysteries never get the see of light. Thanks to the media circus or media trials as they call it, this case has come out ad washed over the glittering glamour industry.
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That’s true but the extra loud media is ‘compelled’ to cover only the death of SSR; this is my feeling.
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It’s under investigation and I would like to know more before I jump to conclusions.
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Ya that’s what we are doing.
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This was one toxic episode of Indian journalism. The departed did not get his due respect in death even. Politics is the worst evil of humanity.
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I agree.
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The core issue was long lost and it truly became a different spectacle.
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Thanks for reading.
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For me what matters the most is we lost a promising and such a talented person. He is gone and people rather than remembering him with respect made a ruckus out of his death which was so not done… This was not what he deserved. I feel so sorry.
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So true.
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This case is still a mystery. Not sure if the truth will ever unravel in this case.
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It won’t be. That’s why I classified it as mystery.
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News of his suicide was definitely heartbreaking. Culprits must be punished but who to believe is difficult to comprehend at the moment.
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Common man will get to know NOTHING.
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I was ardently following the case until I realized it led nowhere
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It led to nowhere, expect more complications emerging from this case.
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