Ali Fazal reflects on losing his mum days after Sushant Singh Rajput's demise; recalls Instagram chat with him on physics: ‘He was a very smart guy'
is enjoying a great phase in his career. His latest film 'Metro... In Dino' has been received warmly, and he continues to shine both in India and abroad. But even during this successful run, the actor opened up about something very personal, how he lost his mother just three days after the death of actor
Sushant Singh Rajput
.
Though they never met in person, Ali shared the strange and emotional timing of the events, and reflected on how he heard the news about Sushant while going through his own heartbreak.
Hearing about Sushant during grief
Ali recently spoke to Mid-day about how he found out about
Sushant Singh
Rajput's demise in June 2020. At the time, Ali was at a hospital in Lucknow, dealing with his mother's failing health.
He said, "It's very disheartening when something like that happens.
It's weird because I was myself going through a different period because three days after that, I lost my mother. So I was in a freaking hospital in Lucknow, dealing with that, and I didn't have the mind space to process anything else happening around that time. But yes, I did. Of course, later I got to know because the chatter was all over. It's sad. He was a very smart guy.
"
One brief chat with Sushant on Instagram
Even though the two actors never met face-to-face, Ali remembered a small interaction he once had with Sushant online.
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He shared, "No, I never met him. I had some weird, random exchange on Instagram or something with him about something science-related. I understood something he was trying to say. I'm thinking, 'Okay, wait. There's somebody who knows his physics.' I'm a science guy. So I'm like, 'okay, you know your physics, man, respect'.
"
A distant connection of respect
Although they didn't have a close friendship, Ali said there was a sense of mutual respect and well-wishing from afar.
He said, "I don't remember what I'd written. But it was a distant acknowledgement, and from far away we always wished each other luck. Actually, a lot of people I've heard and I, myself, come from a place of wanting to champion people around us. I've been taught to do that. But that doesn't happen, that's it.
"
Actors face silent emotional battles
Ali also spoke about how hard the profession can be on a person's mental health. He admitted that being an actor comes with its own emotional weight and challenges. He said, "There's no curriculum for this work," referring to how there's no proper guide or emotional training for what actors go through.
Sushant's passing shook the industry
Sushant Singh Rajput passed away on 14 June 2020 in his Mumbai flat. His demise shocked the entire nation. Many actors and fans were heartbroken over the loss of such a talented young star.
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