One year after actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death shook Bollywood, India's federal investigative agency is yet to give its verdict on the case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation, which was tasked to take over from Mumbai Police in August 2020, following a request by Rajput's family, has stayed mostly silent. It only put out a statement last October to address reports it was concluding its inquiry as "speculative and erroneous".
Rajput, one of Bollywood's biggest rising stars, was found dead in his Mumbai apartment on June 14 at the age of 34. While the Mumbai Police ruled his death as suicide, the news triggered heated debate on prime time news channels and conspiracy theories on social media.
That the news of his death broke during the first coronavirus-imposed lockdowns in India last year, only added salacious gossip to the otherwise inspiring life of a college dropout-turned-actor who found success in an industry often accused of being insular and run by several families.
Rajput was well known for his humility and his unassuming attitude towards fame – qualities his friends say they prefer to remember him by.
He never hesitated to pull out his wallet and often took care of the bill, unlike other actors who like to use their status to get free things
"He never carried himself as a celebrity. He was so nonchalant about the whole fame thing," menswear designer Varoin Marwah tells The National.
“He never compared himself with other actors. He knew he was talented and he knew he was hardworking and he knew he wanted to prove himself. I could always feel that confidence.
“That’s why I don’t believe it when people say he was depressed with work.”
Marwah, who launched his eponymous label in Dubai eight years ago, says he first met Rajput at a New Year’s Eve party in the emirate in 2014.
"I was early at the party when this man approached my table and asked if he could join with his girlfriend,” he recalls. “He introduced himself as Sushant and his [then] girlfriend Ankita and we started talking.
"He was already in his look for the Dhoni film with the long hair and I didn't recognise him at first. Then when it dawned on me and I realised it was Sushant Singh Rajput. We had a good laugh and immediately got along."
Rajput's 2016 film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, based on the former Indian cricket captain, was a commercial and critical success. It would be one of many hits Rajput delivered in his short career, from Kai Po Che! to Shuddh Desi Romance and PK.
Marwah says he and Rajput kept in touch and would visit each other often in Dubai and Mumbai, where Marwah's parents also live.
“I had a birthday party in Mumbai in 2015 and he went all out. He came early from a shoot and although he was tired, rocked the party. He mingled with everyone and was the life of the party,” Marwah recalls.
“And he would visit Dubai often. Whenever he was in town, he would never ask me where I was taking him, or who else was coming. He’d just come and be friends with everyone.
“Also, he never hesitated to pull out his wallet and often took care of the bill, unlike other actors who like to use their status to get free things.”
Rajput even filmed a promotional video for Dubai Tourism in 2017, highlighting the city’s thrill-seeking activities, from paragliding to car-racing and dune-bashing.
A photo, in which he replicates the signature pose of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, in Dubai, even got a vote of approval from the actor himself.
“The hair, the hands, the pose all was perfect. 10/10 awesome!!” Khan responded to Rajput.
He was the biggest fan of Khan, Marwah says. “He had a separate TV and library room where we used to have the most fun, playing old Bollywood songs and recreating dance moves. If he had the choice, he would play Shah Rukh songs all night,” says Marwah.
All my other photographer friends, who work in the film industry, only have nice things to say about him
“That’s why he was so happy to do the Dubai Tourism campaign, because Shah Rukh is the brand ambassador.”
He was also always respectful to whoever he worked with no matter who they were, says Marwah.
That quality is echoed by photographer Rajesh Raghav who photographed Rajput in Dubai in 2016.
“We were shooting him at an event where he was performing. We only had about 15 minutes with him before he had to go for a performance,” Raghav recalls. “As luck would have it, just as I was rushing, my lights stopped working.
“I was panicking. He asked to look at the shots I’ve got so far and said, ‘OK, I understand. I promise I’m going to come back for you after the performance and we can do this again. Don’t worry, we will make it work.’
“I seriously didn’t think he was going to come back. But he came after his performance and looked for me. I could see he was already tired but he politely sat through the shoot and we finished it.
“I’ve worked with many celebrities from Hollywood to Bollywood and I don’t think anyone would have done what he did. I really admired him for that,” Raghav says.
“All my other photographer friends who work in the film industry only have nice things to say about him.”
Lekha Menon, the former editor of a UAE Bollywood and lifestyle magazine, whose event Raghav was shooting at, says Rajput’s lack of ego and pretence was refreshing.
“What I remember the most about him was his energy. He possessed a certain eagerness to please, which I thought was very charming,” Menon says. “Needless to say, he was a livewire on stage and brought the audience to their feet.
“Usually stars have their guards on at public events but Sushant was easy-going and mingled with the guests and accommodated all our requests. I guess he was still the small-town guy who was extremely grounded despite the star trappings around him.”
What I remember the most about him was his energy. He possessed a certain eagerness to please, which I thought was very charming
That's classic Rajput, Marwah says. "The real Shushant was full of life, the smallest things would excite him, like a nice meal or good music and a good conversation," he says.
“He was also into science and philosophy and would quote poems and authors no one had heard of.
“That’s why it’s so sad that people now are focusing on everything else but the most important qualities he had and the beautiful person that he was,” says Marwah. “People should give him the closure and the respect he deserves.”
Anticipating the media circus ahead of the anniversary of his death, Rajput's sister Shweta Singh Kirti has said she is going on a solitary retreat "in the mountains".
"I won't have access to internet or cell services there," she posted on Instagram. "Bhai's [brother's] one year of passing on will be spent in cherishing his sweet memories in silence. Though his physical body has left us almost a year back, the values he stood for still live on."
Last week, Bollywood actress Kriti Sanon, who starred with Rajput in the 2017 film Raabta, posted behind-the-scenes snippets from the movie's sets.
"Raabta was one of my best and most memorable experiences and it will always remain extremely close to my heart. Little did I know that it would be our first and last," Sanon wrote.
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Read more:
The complex case of Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput’s death: 'A lesson in ending stigmas'
The way Rhea Chakraborty has been treated does no favours to Indian society
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Match info
Manchester United 1 (Van de Beek 80') Crystal Palace 3 (Townsend 7', Zaha pen 74' & 85')
Man of the match Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Guns N’ Roses’s last gig before Abu Dhabi was in Hong Kong on November 21. We were there – and here’s what they played, and in what order. You were warned.
- It’s So Easy
- Mr Brownstone
- Chinese Democracy
- Welcome to the Jungle
- Double Talkin’ Jive
- Better
- Estranged
- Live and Let Die (Wings cover)
- Slither (Velvet Revolver cover)
- Rocket Queen
- You Could Be Mine
- Shadow of Your Love
- Attitude (Misfits cover)
- Civil War
- Coma
- Love Theme from The Godfather (movie cover)
- Sweet Child O’ Mine
- Wichita Lineman (Jimmy Webb cover)
- Wish You Were Here (instrumental Pink Floyd cover)
- November Rain
- Black Hole Sun (Soundgarden cover)
- Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan cover)
- Nightrain
Encore:
- Patience
- Don’t Cry
- The Seeker (The Who cover)
- Paradise City
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
End of free parking
- paid-for parking will be rolled across Abu Dhabi island on August 18
- drivers will have three working weeks leeway before fines are issued
- areas that are currently free to park - around Sheikh Zayed Bridge, Maqta Bridge, Mussaffah Bridge and the Corniche - will now require a ticket
- villa residents will need a permit to park outside their home. One vehicle is Dh800 and a second is Dh1,200.
- The penalty for failing to pay for a ticket after 10 minutes will be Dh200
- Parking on a patch of sand will incur a fine of Dh300
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
Tips to keep your car cool
- Place a sun reflector in your windshield when not driving
- Park in shaded or covered areas
- Add tint to windows
- Wrap your car to change the exterior colour
- Pick light interiors - choose colours such as beige and cream for seats and dashboard furniture
- Avoid leather interiors as these absorb more heat
Abu Dhabi World Pro 2019 remaining schedule:
Wednesday April 24: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-6pm
Thursday April 25: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, 11am-5pm
Friday April 26: Finals, 3-6pm
Saturday April 27: Awards ceremony, 4pm and 8pm
Christopher Robin
Starring: Ewan McGregor, Haley Atwell, Jim Cummings, Peter Capaldi
Three stars
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
Recipe: Spirulina Coconut Brothie
Ingredients
1 tbsp Spirulina powder
1 banana
1 cup unsweetened coconut milk (full fat preferable)
1 tbsp fresh turmeric or turmeric powder
½ cup fresh spinach leaves
½ cup vegan broth
2 crushed ice cubes (optional)
Method
Blend all the ingredients together on high in a high-speed blender until smooth and creamy.
Fines for littering
In Dubai:
Dh200 for littering or spitting in the Dubai Metro
Dh500 for throwing cigarette butts or chewing gum on the floor, or littering from a vehicle.
Dh1,000 for littering on a beach, spitting in public places, throwing a cigarette butt from a vehicle
In Sharjah and other emirates
Dh500 for littering - including cigarette butts and chewing gum - in public places and beaches in Sharjah
Dh2,000 for littering in Sharjah deserts
Dh500 for littering from a vehicle in Ras Al Khaimah
Dh1,000 for littering from a car in Abu Dhabi
Dh1,000 to Dh100,000 for dumping waste in residential or public areas in Al Ain
Dh10,000 for littering at Ajman's beaches
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
The Indoor Cricket World Cup
When: September 16-23
Where: Insportz, Dubai
Indoor cricket World Cup:
Insportz, Dubai, September 16-23
UAE fixtures:
Men
Saturday, September 16 – 1.45pm, v New Zealand
Sunday, September 17 – 10.30am, v Australia; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Monday, September 18 – 2pm, v England; 7.15pm, v India
Tuesday, September 19 – 12.15pm, v Singapore; 5.30pm, v Sri Lanka
Thursday, September 21 – 2pm v Malaysia
Friday, September 22 – 3.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 3pm, grand final
Women
Saturday, September 16 – 5.15pm, v Australia
Sunday, September 17 – 2pm, v South Africa; 7.15pm, v New Zealand
Monday, September 18 – 5.30pm, v England
Tuesday, September 19 – 10.30am, v New Zealand; 3.45pm, v South Africa
Thursday, September 21 – 12.15pm, v Australia
Friday, September 22 – 1.30pm, semi-final
Saturday, September 23 – 1pm, grand final
The biog
Favourite film: Motorcycle Dairies, Monsieur Hulot’s Holiday, Kagemusha
Favourite book: One Hundred Years of Solitude
Holiday destination: Sri Lanka
First car: VW Golf
Proudest achievement: Building Robotics Labs at Khalifa University and King’s College London, Daughters
Driverless cars or drones: Driverless Cars
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECompany%20name%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Alaan%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202021%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Parthi%20Duraisamy%20and%20Karun%20Kurien%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%247%20million%20raised%20in%20total%20%E2%80%94%20%242.5%20million%20in%20a%20seed%20round%20and%20%244.5%20million%20in%20a%20pre-series%20A%20round%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
SCORES
Yorkshire Vikings 144-1 in 12.5 overs
(Tom Kohler 72 not out, Harry Broook 42 not out)
bt Hobart Hurricanes 140-7 in 20 overs
(Caleb Jewell 38, Sean Willis 35, Karl Carver 2-29, Josh Shaw 2-39)
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
