Hi everybody,

I am writing this article with heavy heart, still comprehending unfortunate demise of a talented actor Sushant  Singh Rajput. 

A suicide..

I cannot get my mind around it because Sushant Singh was not only a good actor but also smart, kind human being.
‘Excellent’ can be the only adjective for his academic record.

A scholar who was AIR #7 in AIEEE.

His acting career is (was) nothing but spectacular. His early success in daily soaps like ‘Pavitra Rishta’, followed by his big screen success in movies like Dhoni’s biopic and Chhichhore.

At the age of young 34, Sushant Singh had everything a young man could dream of.

And still this is horrible news is as real as it could be.

Sushant Singh Rajput is just the latest name in the long list of artists ending their life too soon.

The issue I want to address is, depression, mental stress, anxiety among young people in today’s complicated times.

I hope every one of you have watched the movie JOKER. The Iconic performance by Joaquin Phoenix.
Some people absolutely loved that movie where as some found it unnecessarily negative.

I think we like the art which is personal and relatable to us.

That moment where Arthur tries to smile while a teardrops rolls down on his cheek,If you have felt resonance with what Arthur was feeling in that moment,I think depression has brushed you too someday.

The whole point of that movie was insanity Arthur, his pain, stress, depression and suicidal thoughts went unnoticed by everyone around him.

He did not go down that slope of self-destruction and madness overnight.

The pieces of breakdown were scattered all over the movie,
from his breaking of the glass his head to sitting inside a fridge, but nobody was there to pick up the pieces and hold him back together.

The world of Bollywood, as shiny and glittery it looks, has its toll on well-being of an artist.  The whole industry works on lobbying, untruthfulness and on very shallow principles. This has been mentioned by many actors and actresses before as well. Sushant Singh Rajput, could just be our wonderboy who couldn’t take that anymore.
(I have watched a great YouTube video about this, which I will share with subscribers separately. )

Perhaps, Sushant Singh still could have been among us if there had been someone with whom he could have felt comfortable sharing his own vulnerability.

Today when the world is facing this unprecedented crisis of a pandemic, and everybody is home, unable to stay away from the thoughts they keep at bay, every day.

Not having that regular fun time, no Escape from reality, hits some people harder than they expect. 
This is a time to go back the basics, understand importance of sharing the feelings.

I am no psychiatrist, but sharing this piece of advice from my own experience,

Please read them carefully.

1.  Rule out the option of suicide.

2. Understand that whatever is causing you stress, depression, anxiety is not more important than your life itself.

3. Stop caring excessively about what other people think. Live your life your own way. Have no obligations.

4. If you are reading this, means you have a smartphone or a laptop, electricity, internet, and possibly your own or family’s shelter with a job.
This makes you already more fortunate than most of the global population. So stop with that downward spiral of suicidal thoughts and acknowledge how fortunate and privileged you are.

5. Somebody might be dying every day just to have a life which you are thinking of throwing away.

6. Have at least one person in your life with whom you can share what you are going through.
They won’t solve your problems but sharing them unburden you a little.. Trust me..

7. Your parents and life partners have invested their life in you. Be a good Lannister and pay your debt first.

Lastly, I am going to share what I always say to myself when I feel such extreme emotion.

“Coal and the diamond are both made of just Carbon.”

Your worth is determined by how you handle the pressure.

I always think myself as a Diamond, and so should you.

Let the life put pressure and fire,
we will shine even brighter..

~ Gaurav Pande
(Don’t forget to subscribe and please take care.