Late Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput's father sues producers of unauthorised biopics

Krishna Kishore Singh has alleged that filmmakers were using the death of his son as an opportunity to get fame at the cost of his and his family’s reputation

Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who died in 2020 aged 34. Instagram / sushantsinghrajput

The father of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead in a suspected suicide in June last year, has pleaded with the Delhi High Court to help him stop a number proposed films and shows about the actor.

In his lawsuit, Krishna Kishore Singh has alleged that filmmakers were using the death of his son as “an opportunity to get fame by developing different theories/stories at the cost of his and his family’s reputation”.

Singh is also seeking damages worth Rs2 crore or Rs20 million ($265,000) “for loss of reputation, mental trauma and harassment”.

A number of films were named in the lawsuit, allegedly based on Rajput's life, including Nyay: The Justice, Suicide or Murder: A Star Was Lost and Shashank.

Rajput, one of Bollywood's rising stars, was found dead in his Mumbai apartment on June 14 last year at the age of 34. His shocking death not only devastated his fans, but led to wild conspiracy theories and a media frenzy that consumed much of the headlines during coronavirus-imposed lockdowns.

Singh also sued Rajput's girlfriend, the actress Rhea Chakraborty and her family last year, accusing them of abetment of suicide and stealing his money. The Mumbai police, who listed the cause of death as asphyxia by hanging, are still investigating the case.

None of the makers behind the films on Rajput’s life came to him to obtain his consent or permission, Singh alleges in his latest lawsuit.

“Any publication, production or depiction of the private life of Sushant Singh Rajput is a blatant and willful breach of fundamental right to privacy which cannot be taken away without the prior approval of his legal heir,” he states.

Following his plea, the Delhi High Court on Tuesday issued summons to the makers of one biopic. They’ve been asked to respond by May 24.

Lawyer Vikas Singh, appearing on behalf of Rajput's father, told the court that the movie in question has been launched in a planned and orchestrated manner by close confidants of the accused to influence a pending investigation, witnesses and other officials, the Hindustan Times reports.

Following the lawsuit, Rajput’s sister Shweta Singh Kirti urged everyone to keep the late actor’s image “pious and pure”.

“Let’s take an oath that we will never let anyone malign his personality and what he stood for,” she tweeted.