How Bollywood stars Shabana Azmi, Dia Mirza, Vidya Balan guarded Rhea Chakraborty after Sushant Singh Rajput’s death

As the 5-year death anniversary of Sushant Singh Rajput approaches, the CBI has finally closed his death case, giving clean chit to Rhea Chakraborty, who is currently in the second innings of her career in the entertainment industry. It’s time to recollect how Bollywood stars defended the actress and spoke in her support, including Shabana Azmi, Dia Mirza, Vidya Balan, and Shibani Dandekar, among others.

Shabana Azmi on Rhea Chakraborty’ bail

The legendary actress Shabana Azmi had empathised with Rhea and had said that the girl had “gone through hell.” Decreeing her trauma ‘unimaginable,’ she had urged people to give her time and space to recover.

Shibani Dandekar didn’t ‘regret’ defending Rhea Chakraborty

Shibani Dandekar, actress and television host, had expressed her unwavering support for Rhea Chakraborty following Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, the 44-year-old actress, who worked as a host in popular TV shows Namaste America, V Desi and the Asian Variety Show, had alleged that she lost a fanbase and followers for standing up for what she believes is right.

Shibani claimed that she advocated for truth and justice and had said, “It didn’t bother me, and I don’t say this in a brave, ‘I’m invincible’ kind of way. It didn’t bother me, because for me, it was just about being as honest and as real as possible. I stood up for what was right. I still stand by that today. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Shibani Dandekar, who was 2017 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 contestant, had publicly condemned the media trial of Rhea Chakraborty in 2020. Following Sushant’s death, Rhea spent nearly a month in jail on a drugs-related charge. It was during this time that Sushant’s family levelled several severe allegations against Rhea, accused her of abetting his suicide, mental harassment and misappropriating his funds.

Criticising social media over incorrect portrayal of Rhea, Shibani Dandekar had said, “I’m doing the right thing, that’s what I will continue to do, and you can say whatever you want. I think if anything bothered me it was that people have something to say when they have no idea what the truth is.”

Previously, in another interview with India Today, Shibani suggested that Rhea was allegedly molested by one of Sushant’s sisters. She explained that this situation “would have caused a rift. How can it be okay after that? So, this is not something that is shocking news. Sometimes these things happen, sometimes the girlfriend doesn’t get along with the family. What does that mean? Does that equal murder? Does that equal abetment to suicide?”

Vidya Balan condemns ‘vilification of Rhea Chakraborty’

In connection with Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case, actor Vidya Balan had condemned the “vilification of Rhea Chakraborty” and called the situation unfortunate as the tragedy has been turned into a “media circus”.

Vidya Balan had written on X, “It is so unfortunate that the tragic and untimely death of a beloved young star Sushant Singh Rajput has become a media circus. In the same breath, as a woman, my heart breaks at the vilification of Rhea Chakraborty. Isn’t it supposed to be ‘innocent until proven guilty’, or is it now ‘guilty until proven innocent’!?”

Dia Mirza questions Rhea’s bail rejection

After Rhea Chakraborty was granted bail, Dia Mirza, the Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 2000 and Bollywood actress, had said that it was disturbing to know that Rhea was denied bail repeatedly given the fact that peddlers of hard drugs are released within a fortnight while Rhea was not given bail even though “no drugs were found on her.”

Following CBI’s closure report in Sushant Singh Rajput death case, Dia Mirza wrote on Instagram Stories, “Who in the media will have the grace to put out a written apology to Rhea Chakraborthy and her family? You went on a witch hunt. You caused deep anguish and harassment just for TRP’s. Apologise. That’s the very least you can do (sic).”

As the 5-year death anniversary of Sushant Singh Rajput approaches, the CBI has finally closed his death case, giving clean chit to Rhea Chakraborty, who is currently in the second innings of her career in the entertainment industry. It’s time to recollect how Bollywood stars defended the actress and spoke in her support, including Shabana Azmi, Dia Mirza, Vidya Balan, and Shibani Dandekar, among others.

Shabana Azmi on Rhea Chakraborty’ bail

The legendary actress Shabana Azmi had empathised with Rhea and had said that the girl had “gone through hell.” Decreeing her trauma ‘unimaginable,’ she had urged people to give her time and space to recover.

Shibani Dandekar didn’t ‘regret’ defending Rhea Chakraborty

Shibani Dandekar, actress and television host, had expressed her unwavering support for Rhea Chakraborty following Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, the 44-year-old actress, who worked as a host in popular TV shows Namaste America, V Desi and the Asian Variety Show, had alleged that she lost a fanbase and followers for standing up for what she believes is right.

Shibani claimed that she advocated for truth and justice and had said, “It didn’t bother me, and I don’t say this in a brave, ‘I’m invincible’ kind of way. It didn’t bother me, because for me, it was just about being as honest and as real as possible. I stood up for what was right. I still stand by that today. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Shibani Dandekar, who was 2017 Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi 8 contestant, had publicly condemned the media trial of Rhea Chakraborty in 2020. Following Sushant’s death, Rhea spent nearly a month in jail on a drugs-related charge. It was during this time that Sushant’s family levelled several severe allegations against Rhea, accused her of abetting his suicide, mental harassment and misappropriating his funds.

Criticising social media over incorrect portrayal of Rhea, Shibani Dandekar had said, “I’m doing the right thing, that’s what I will continue to do, and you can say whatever you want. I think if anything bothered me it was that people have something to say when they have no idea what the truth is.”

Previously, in another interview with India Today, Shibani suggested that Rhea was allegedly molested by one of Sushant’s sisters. She explained that this situation “would have caused a rift. How can it be okay after that? So, this is not something that is shocking news. Sometimes these things happen, sometimes the girlfriend doesn’t get along with the family. What does that mean? Does that equal murder? Does that equal abetment to suicide?”

Vidya Balan condemns ‘vilification of Rhea Chakraborty’

In connection with Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case, actor Vidya Balan had condemned the “vilification of Rhea Chakraborty” and called the situation unfortunate as the tragedy has been turned into a “media circus”.

Vidya Balan had written on X, “It is so unfortunate that the tragic and untimely death of a beloved young star Sushant Singh Rajput has become a media circus. In the same breath, as a woman, my heart breaks at the vilification of Rhea Chakraborty. Isn’t it supposed to be ‘innocent until proven guilty’, or is it now ‘guilty until proven innocent’!?”

Dia Mirza questions Rhea’s bail rejection

After Rhea Chakraborty was granted bail, Dia Mirza, the Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 2000 and Bollywood actress, had said that it was disturbing to know that Rhea was denied bail repeatedly given the fact that peddlers of hard drugs are released within a fortnight while Rhea was not given bail even though “no drugs were found on her.”

Following CBI’s closure report in Sushant Singh Rajput death case, Dia Mirza wrote on Instagram Stories, “Who in the media will have the grace to put out a written apology to Rhea Chakraborthy and her family? You went on a witch hunt. You caused deep anguish and harassment just for TRP’s. Apologise. That’s the very least you can do (sic).”