For Rhea Chakraborty, the unfortunate and sudden passing of Sushant Singh Rajput on June 14, 2020, he sent shockwaves across India, with fans, celebrities, and political figures mourning the young actor’s demise. Initially, the cause of death was reported as suicide, but soon after, questions arose about his mental health, lifestyle, and relationships. As the media focused on uncovering every aspect of Sushant’s life, Rhea Chakraborty—his friend at the time—quickly found herself at the center of a media storm.
A Timeline of Events
- June 2020 – Initial Backlash: Soon after Sushant’s death, whispers and accusations emerged, with certain media outlets and social media users speculating on Rhea’s role in his life and, by extension, his death. Unverified claims and conspiracy theories spread online, fueling a relentless narrative that would follow Rhea.
- July 2020 – Accusations by Sushant’s Family: Sushant’s father filed an FIR against Rhea and her family, accusing them of abetment to suicide, financial exploitation, and harassment. This formal complaint intensified public and media interest, putting Rhea’s every move under scrutiny and sparking a series of investigations by multiple agencies.
- August 2020 – Media Frenzy and Public Outcry: Media outlets ran relentless stories painting Rhea in a negative light, often without credible evidence. Television debates, social media hashtags, and viral videos aimed at discrediting her reached a fever pitch, transforming the actress into a villain in the eyes of the public.
- September 2020 – Arrest by Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB): In a turn of events, the NCB arrested Rhea Chakraborty on drug-related charges, accusing her of procuring drugs for Sushant. Her arrest set off another media spectacle, with images of her being escorted by officials flashing across news channels. She spent nearly a month in judicial custody before being granted bail. The NCB claimed Rhea’s alleged involvement in drug transactions; however, the legitimacy of these charges has been questioned by her legal team.
- 2021 – The Aftermath: After being released on bail, Rhea continued to face an uphill battle with legal proceedings, tarnished public opinion, and lost career opportunities. Despite the absence of concrete evidence linking her to any wrongdoing, Rhea found herself unable to work or live without the prying eyes of the public.
- 2022 – Slow Return to Public Life: Rhea slowly began re-emerging on social media, sharing posts about resilience and healing, attempting to connect with her followers on her own terms. She also started attending events, signaling her desire to rebuild her career.
- 2023 – A Path to Redemption in Bollywood?: Rhea has reportedly signed on for smaller projects, and there are whispers of potential Bollywood returns. Despite these opportunities, she faces ongoing stigma and a public that has yet to move on from the media-fueled narrative around Sushant’s death.
The Impact of a Hyperactive Media Trial
The Sushant Singh Rajput case became one of the most prominent examples of a media trial where coverage took on an accusatory tone, leaving little room for due process or privacy. While media attention can bring light to important cases, the hyperactive scrutiny in Rhea’s situation blurred the lines between news reporting and sensationalism. As experts have argued, such intense media focus can undermine the judicial process, influencing public opinion and creating societal bias long before any legal conclusion.
The unrelenting scrutiny took a toll not only on Rhea’s career but on her personal life. She faced social isolation, public harassment, and a broken career—all repercussions that may take years to fully recover from. In the industry, she was sidelined, with casting opportunities dwindling due to the controversy surrounding her name.
Despite all odds, Rhea Chakraborty has shown strength and resilience, and her attempts to return to Bollywood are a testament to her determination. For her, re-establishing her career means facing the inevitable reminders of the past and the public’s deeply polarized opinions.
CBI, ED and NCB cases against Rhea
In August, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opened an investigation into allegations of money laundering linked to Sushant’s death. Rhea Chakraborty’s story has become a cautionary tale about the effects of media trials on individual lives. It raises essential questions: How much influence should media have over legal processes? How do we balance the right to information with an individual’s right to privacy? In a world where social media opinions can be louder than court verdicts, Rhea’s ordeal reminds us of the fragility of reputations in the digital age.
Earlier this year, Rhea launched her podcast, Chapter 2, featuring guests such as Sushmita Sen, Aamir Khan, Zakir Khan, Tanmay Bhat, Farhan Akhtar, and Shibani Dandekar. Throughout 2023 and 2024, she has gradually reentered public life, attending events and becoming more active on social media.
