Director Abhishek Chaubey cast Sushant Singh Rajput in Sonchiriya for his authentic small-town vibe, unlike urban Bandra boys. Sushant’s grounded essence perfectly suited the rustic dacoit role. He instantly agreed to the script, shining in the critically acclaimed 2019 film.
In 2019, director Abhishek Chaubey made ‘Sonchiriya’, his best film about Chambal bandits with deep life questions. It looks like an old action movie which really explores right and wrong, and finds peace. Late actor Sushant Singh Rajput played the troubled bandit Lakhna Singh in his quietest, best role. Critics loved it, but the film flopped at the box office. However, the film now has a big fan following, especially after Sushant’s death, as people see it as a hidden gem.
Casting the perfect ‘Desi’ fit
In a recent chat with SCREEN, Abhishek opened up on picking Sushant for the role. He highlighted how the late actor brought an authentic ‘desi’ essence missing in many Bandra-bred star kids of his time. The director said, “The reason was very simple. We discussed his name among us and came to an agreement that there was something desi about Sushant. You know, with the other stars, these Bandra boys, I mean, not that they can’t do it, but it’s a longer journey to get from who they are to that world. For Sushant, it would be easier. He comes from a small town and has some idea of the kind of world we’re talking about.”
Instant commitment to the project
Abhishek revealed Sushant’s instant buy-in to the film, thrilled at the chance to work together. He said, “Luckily for us, he said yes instantaneously. I went to meet him at four o’clock one evening while he was shooting, and the very next day, at four o’clock, he was sitting in our office and said yes to the film.” Gazing back at on-set moments with the actor, Chaubey recalled about Sushant’s astronomy obsession and narrated a remarkable filming episode.
Sushant Singh Rajput’s telescope nights
Chaubey continued that a celestial event occurred during the shoot. Sushant brought along a massive telescope—not a decorative home hobby one, but a serious professional model. It required disassembly and transport by truck from Bombay. Young scientists arrived on set to assemble it in the camp, right on the lawn outside their stay. That became his routine: post-shoot, he would lie on the grass, eyes fixed through the lens at planets. One evening, the entire crew joined him for the spectacle.
Tragic end in Mumbai
Sushant Singh Rajput passed away on June 14, 2020, in his Mumbai apartment in Bandra, leaving fans worldwide in shock. The actor was found dead as he commited suicide by hanging himself. Go to Source
