Karan Johar is not to blamed for Sushant Singh Rajput’s death,” Shatrughan Sinha
Is it right to blame Karan Johar for Sushant Singh Rajput’s death? It is unfair and futile to blame Karan Johar for Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. First of all, who is Karan Johar to make or break careers? I don’t think he sees himself that way at all.
But he has made many stars? Star-maker yes and he has given the film industry some remarkable talent like Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Sidharth Malhotra and so many talented directors. Why is everyone forgetting that?
Do you see Karan as a star-breaker? I don’t think anyone can break your destiny. Jo kismet mein likha hai wohi hoga. When I came to Mumbai from Patna, I just had a few hundred rupees in my pocket. I was determined to be an actor at any cost. I had to face a lot of insults. I never forgot them.
There is a story of a top heroine from the 1960s and 70s who snubbed you at the start of your career when you had a bit role in a film starring her. Many years later when you worked together as equals you got away even by shouting, ‘Where is the Dettol? I need to sanitize myself,’ after you two were introduced. Comment? (Laughs) I’d rather dwell on the beautiful positive people I met on my journey to stardom. Like the gorgeous Mumtaz. She was the top heroine. She recommended me for my role, took me under her wings. We remain friends to this day. If strugglers in the film industry meet not so nice people, they also meet lovely people who are helpful supportive and encouraging.
Your last words on Karan Johar? Karan’s father (producer Yash Johar) was a lovely kind man. I worked with him. My daughter has worked with Karan. He has worked to get where he is. Being born in a film family doesn’t automatically qualify you for success. Likewise being an outsider doesn’t disqualify you from stardom. And Sushant was a very successful star.