Sushant Singh Rajput’s Friend, Writer Rumi Jaffery Remembers Late Actor On 6th Death Anniversary: ‘He Wanted To Live Every Moment’

It’s widely documented that writer-director Rumi Jaffery and deceased actor Sushant Singh Rajput were close friends. “So close,” recalls Jaffrey emotionally, “that he would be over at our home almost every evening with his girlfriend Rhea [Chakraborty].” He was very close to me, my wife and my children.”

Remembering those meetings fondly, Jaffery recalls, “We would discuss endless movies that we wanted to make  together. Kahaan gayi woh shaamein (where  have those evenings gone)?”

He further adds, “His zest for life was infectious. He wanted to deep-dive into astronomy. He had recently learnt  to play the  guitar. He wanted to learn  more and more  skills. He  didn’t want to limit himself to acting.”

The date June 14 is etched in Rumi’s heart. “Sushant’s death [in 2020] came as a real shock. I was aware he was not himself in the months before he left us. But everything that has happened since then, the hatred, the  accusations and counter-accusations, the  ugly  court cases and most of all, the targeting of his girlfriend Rhea Chakraborty… all of this was so painful for those of us who really cared about him,” he shares.

He recounts the drama on Rajput’s passing. “So many of his so-called friends suddenly showed up to claim their portion of fame. These people became famous overnight. In death, Sushant made so many people rich and famous. I wonder what Sushant would have thought of the tamasha that followed his death. He hated the ‘instant fame’ culture.”

Jaffery says that not a day passes that he does not remember his friend. “I still continue to read his messages on my phone. Usska number delete karne ka mann nahin karta. I still feel he’s alive. His enthusiasm, his excitement about life was infectious. He wanted to do so many things. He wanted to act, direct films, write, and do organic farming. He wanted to live every moment  of  his life.”