Rhea Chakraborty’s friend talks about the impact of Sushant Singh Rajput’s case on the actress: ‘Broke her parents, brother lost out on education’ |

No one can ever forget the effect that Sushant Singh Rajput’s tragic death had on the entire nation. It even put his then-girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, and her family under intense scrutiny. Rhea and her brother, Showik, faced serious accusations, leading to their arrest. After five years of hate and allegations, they finally found relief when the CBI’s final report cleared them.
A Family Isolated and Broken
Following this, Rhea’s close friend, Nidhi Hiranandani reflected on the family’s painful journey in a conversation with SCREEN. Nidhi shared how Rhea and her family were isolated and their lives turned upside down due to the allegations. She emphasized that both Rhea and Showik lost crucial years of their careers. Reflecting on Rhea’s relationship with Sushant Singh Rajput, she described it as a loving and supportive bond. She also recalled the difficult time when Rhea was first summoned in the case, saying that the family barely had a moment to process their grief. Still in shock and mourning, they were forced into survival mode, unable to properly grieve their loss.The Brutal Media Trial
She further recalled the actress’ first encounter with the intense media scrutiny. She described how journalists aggressively pushed microphones toward her, leaving her with bruises on her arms and face. That moment made them realize the ordeal was just beginning. Watching the events unfold on television alongside Rhea’s mother, Nidhi saw her collapse to the floor in distress—a moment she described as one of the most heartbreaking in their lives.

Nidhi shared that, in the beginning, there was a sense of disbelief as they struggled to understand the situation. While still processing the tragedy, Rhea and Showik were left devastated. She recalled how Indrajit and Sandhya considered Sushant as family, and he felt the same way about them. Watching them break down while already battling emotional turmoil was heartbreaking.
Becoming a Scapegoat During the Pandemic
Nidhi reflected on how, during the Covid era, Rhea became an easy target for public outrage. She described feeling helpless as she watched the family’s life unravel. Despite their efforts to handle the situation with dignity, they struggled to find support. The wave of hatred overshadowed the truth, making Rhea the scapegoat.
Struggles in Jail and Lost Opportunities
Nidhi recalled how Rhea and Showik’s arrest devastated their family. The possibility of an arrest seemed unreal since the allegations had no factual basis. During the Covid period, their parents were left helpless. Rhea’s mother was in shock, often unable to speak, while her father desperately sought help for his children.
Nidhi mentioned that during Rhea’s time in jail, the brief video calls with her family were mostly spent discussing the case and its details.

Nidhi Hiranandani shared how the incident deeply affected Showik, who had been focused on his education. At just 23, he was preparing for his CAT exams and secured admission to top colleges, but he couldn’t attend. Rhea lost her career, and Showik struggled to find admission due to the ongoing case.
The Film Industry’s Silent Support
While Rhea faced public scrutiny, the film industry quietly supported her. Nidhi explained that although some showed solidarity, it wasn’t as open as she had hoped. Speaking in Rhea’s favor was often seen as being against Sushant, which she found strange. She emphasized that they respected Sushant while knowing Rhea was innocent.
A Changed but Resilient Rhea
Despite everything Rhea went through, she managed to hold on to her spirit. However, the experience changed her deeply. While caring for her parents during the ordeal, she lost much of her confidence. Though she remains strong, the pain and fear left lasting scars. Undoing the damage of her jail term will take a lifetime.
Nidhi hopes that Rhea’s comeback is louder than the backlash she faced. She wishes the damage could be reversed and believes that people should acknowledge their mistakes and apologize to Rhea and her family for what they endured.