New Delhi: Actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death has triggered turmoil in Bollywood, thus initiating a trail of accusations, denials and questions over the credibility of several prominent personalities of the industry. In an exclusive conversation with ETV Bharat's regional Editor Braj Mohan Singh, senior journalists Parag Chhapekar and Sanjay Prabhakar spoke about nepotism in Bollywood, its various aspects and industry's connection with the underworld.
The two journalists highlighted how nepotism works in the industry and how it affects people from both filmy and non-filmy backgrounds. They also brought light onto the industry's connection with the underworld.
Sushant Singh Rajput's death has been a shock to the film industry and to the movie watchers in the country. But there are different sides to the same story, and none of them clear to anyone.
Here are the highlights from the interview:
Q. Actor Sushant Singh Rajput committed suicide on June 14, after which, debates over nepotism in Bollywood gained pace in across media platforms. Is nepotism a reality or just a myth?
Parag Chhapekar: It is both a myth and a fact depending on the group of people one belongs to. If actors want their kids to be launched in the industry, there is nothing wrong in it, But the differentiating factor is that these star kids have more chances at failure. They can have four or five flop movies and still get more movies to work in. Meanwhile, an outsider is showed the way out with just one flop movie.
However, Bollywood is a performing arts industry that survives on talent. There are actors from outside the industry who have performed fairly well and have been given more-and-more chances to prove themselves, and they have.
Q. After Sushant Singh Rajput's death, the news of 6-7 movies being snatched away from him emerged on media platforms. He was said to have been in trauma for the same reason. However, the story surrounding his suicide is still not clear. Your comments?
Parag Chhapekar: Nobody knows the reality. But there could have been conflicts about Sushant's movie Drive having to release on an OTT platform. Drive had been ready for over a year, but no exhibitor was ready to release it on his screen. In such a situation, a producer who invests crores of rupees on a project has the right to decide where to release his movie.
Q. There have been stories about movies being taken away from Sushant. He was under depression. There are no clear facts. But do you think he was being targetted by a certain group in the industry?
Sanjay Prabhakar: The Mumbai Police is investigating the matter thoroughly. But the issue is bigger than nepotism. In Bollywood, there is a 'white-collar organised syndicate' comprised of big names from the industry. There are competitions and ego issues between there big names but once an outsider seems to pose a threat to them, they join hands and kick him out of their way.
There have been doubts over underworld's influence on Bollywood with no one to prove it. However, over the years, there have been reports that have claimed the connection to be true. In fact, the connection between Bollywood and the underworld is years-old.
There are loopholes in the circumstantial evidence of Sushant Singh Rajput's death. There could be any reason but no evidence to get to the root.
Q. Karan Johar and Salman Khan's family was targetted for their influence over the industry. What do you have to say?
Parag Chhapekar: The question is why did such a young and talented actor had to take such a step? What or who forced him to commit suicide? He might have been targetted.
Sushant Singh Rajput had worked with all the big names of the industry. He was no short of fame or success. There are people like Sanjay Leela Bhansali who are also being targetted over his death. But I believe, people like Bhansali do not compromise on the quality of work they present. I think he could not have snatched away movies from Sushant if he wanted to cast him.
Q. Do you find any links as to why Sushant could have committed suicide?
Sanjay Prabhakar: As per the police, Sushant was suffering from depression, he was also under medication for the same. As of now, it is just the doctors who could determine the cause of his death. With Sushant Singh Rajput not there to clarify, their statement would be final. But they can be influenced. Thus, if situations were created for him to attempt suicide, it is a serious issue and needs further investigation.
Q. What do you have to say about the movie 'Paani' on which Sushant had been working for over a year?
Parag Chhapekar: Shekhar Kapoor has been struggling with Paani for the last 13-14 years. Several actors have been groped in and out of it during all these years. There is a lot of pressure once an actor is selected for a movie, the pressure to prove himself. To survive in Bollywood is even tougher than cracking IAS exams. Even top actors like Anushka Sharma, Deepika Padukone have been in depression due to their career.
Sanjay Prabhakar: It is very difficult for movies to release in the industry. Bollywood is ruled by big corporate/production houses. Even if a producer or director makes a good movie, he is unable to get it released on screens or even OTT platforms. Eventually, he is forced to release it on YouTube. These production houses are like criminals ruling their territories.
Parag Chhapekar: There is a lot of pressure on people making small budget movies. But the issue is not just about small budget movie makers. Sometimes, even the big stars become a victim of nepotism.
There are a limited number of studios in the industry. It is the exhibitors that decide which movie they want to show on their screams.
Q. Bollywood got recognition as an industry in 1998. Can we say that people are still not getting equal platforms in 2020?
Parag Chhapekar: The film industry is a myth. It's not the film industry, it's a cottage industry. A limited number of people rule the entire sector, providing employment to people. I think that statement makes everything clear.
Q. Do you think Sushant Singh Rajput's death would change things for the industry or people would forget it like everything else
Sanjay Prabhakar: Sushant's death was suspicious. Cinema lovers would not forget it for years to come. There is rage in people that will not go away any soon.
Q. Do you think outsiders will get better treatment or environment after this turmoil?
Parag Chhapekar: Sushant's death has brought about awareness among people. But this would not change the norms, functioning or dynamics of the industry.
