'Dil Bechara': Fans rally to give Sushant Singh Rajput's last film a theatrical release

Based on 'The Fault in Our Stars', 'Dil Bechara' was originally scheduled to hit cinemas in May, but has since been slated for an online release

The family of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput is setting up a memorial to his life. AP Photos

Sushant Singh Rajput’s fans are rallying together to ensure the actor’s final film gets a theatrical release.

Entitled Dil Bechara (translated to mean The Helpless Heart), the coming-of-age Hindi film is based on John Greene's bestselling 2012 novel The Fault in Our Stars. The film – directed by Mukesh Chhabra – was initially set to hit cinemas across India in May, but its release was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Fox Star Studios – the production and distribution company behind the film – had since decided to release Dil Bechara on a streaming service instead.

However, fans are eager to see Rajput, 34, who died on Sunday, June 14, on the big screen one last time. The hashtag #DilBecharaOnBigScreen has been started to convince the film's makers to give it a proper theatrical release as a tribute to the late actor, who plays the lead role of Manny in the film.

Grammy award-winning musician A R Rahman – who composed the film's original score – also voiced his support for the initiative, saying "fans wish to see Sushant Singh Rajput's last film in theatres".

The movie, which marks Chhabra's directorial debut, also stars Sanjana Sanghi as Kizie.

Rajput's death sent shockwaves across the Indian film industry earlier this week. The actor was found dead on Sunday in his Mumbai apartment, with the police saying he took his own life.

His funeral was held on Monday, June 15, in Mumbai, with Kriti Sanon, Shraddha Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi and producer Ekta Kapoor among those in attendance.

Oberoi later posted an emotional tribute online following the ceremony.

“Being at Sushant’s cremation today was so heartbreaking. I truly wish I could have shared my personal experience and helped him ease his pain. I’ve been through my own journey of pain, it can be very dark and lonely,” he wrote.