Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput dies at 34

The Bollywood community is in mourning following news that actor Sushant Singh Rajput has died. The 34-year-old was found in his Mumbai home over the weekend following an apparent suicide, according to reports, and an official investigation is underway.The actor was known for his role on the TV series Sacred Ties, as well as for his work in films like Kai Po Che—based on the book by Chetan Bhagat—and M.S. Dhoni: The Untold Story, in which he played cricket star Mehendra Singh Dhoni. (He took home the best actor award at the 2017 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne for the role). Singh Rajput also had a slew of projects in between, along with three upcoming films that had been announced, but he was last seen in Netflix’s 2019 film Drive.

 

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Shocked and deeply saddened. No words can express the loss. Our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends. #RIP ??

A post shared by Spice (@spicesocial) on Jun 14, 2020 at 5:57am PDT

"It pains us to share that Sushant Singh Rajput is no longer with us. We request his fans to keep him in their thoughts and celebrate his life, and his work like they have done so far. We request the media to help us maintain privacy at this moment of grief," the star’s PR team said in a statement on behalf of the family following the news. Meanwhile, many notable figures and celebrities took to social media to share their own messages of grief and condolence.“I'm stunned. U must have been in so much pain,” Priyanka Chopra wrote on Twitter. “I hope u are at peace wherever u are my friend. Gone too soon.I’ll never forget our conversations about astrophysics at sunrise.Words cease to make sense.”

I'm stunned. U must have been in so much pain. I hope u are at peace wherever u are my friend. Gone too soon.I’ll never forget our conversations about astrophysics at sunrise.Words cease to make sense. RIP Sushant. My condolences to the family & everyone grieving this huge loss? pic.twitter.com/tA5CmNsRJC

— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) June 14, 2020

"Honestly this news has left me shocked and speechless," Bollywood star Akshay Kumar tweeted. "I remember watching #SushantSinghRajput in Chhichhore and telling my friend Sajid, its producer how much I'd enjoyed the film and wish I'd been a part of it. Such a talented actor...may God give strength to his family.""Absolutely gutted and heartbroken for Sushant and his loved ones and family," Homeland star Nimrat Kaur also shared. "Really can't believe his journey's ended on this untimely, devastating note. Praying for his soul...gone so soon.Yet another horrendous jolt for our industry. So deeply tragic...""I can't believe this at all... it's shocking... a beautiful actor and a good friend... it's disheartening," actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui tweeted.“Sushant Singh Rajput...a bright young actor gone too soon,” Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted. “He excelled on TV and in films. His rise in the world of entertainment inspired many and he leaves behind several memorable performances. Shocked by his passing away. My thoughts are with his family and fans. Om Shanti.”[video_embed id='1977631']RELATED: Meghan Markle, Adele mark Grenfell Tower anniversary [/video_embed]A week before his death, Singh Rajput posted a message to his late mother on Instagram, writing: “Blurred past evaporating from teardrops/Unending dreams carving an arc of smile/And a fleeting life, negotiating between the two...” The actor had previously said that his mother's death when he was 16 still has a profound effect on him, making acting one of his only emotional outlets.Since the news surfaced, fans have been flocking to that June 8th Instagram post with messages of love and grief. “Still thinking you'll wake up and say doing a death prank was also one of your dreams,” wrote one fan. “Never have I ever felt so impacted because I always felt that you were one of the nicest humans and all of this feels unreal,” another wrote. “Wherever you are I hope you find your peace!!! You shall be loved and missed forever.”[video_embed id='1974635']BEFORE YOU GO: Tiffany Haddish shares experience at George Floyd’s memorial [/video_embed]