In a heartfelt revelation during Mid-day’s latest “Sit With Hitlist” episode, actress Sara Ali Khan opened up about her early days in Bollywood and her cherished memories of her late co-star, Sushant Singh Rajput. Known for her roles in “Kedarnath” and “Simmba,” Sara debuted opposite Sushant in “Kedarnath” in December 2018. The Bollywood industry was left in shock and sorrow when Sushant tragically passed away in June 2020 at the young age of 34.
As the conversation veered towards her experiences working with Sushant, Sara was asked about her favorite memory of him. A poignant silence filled the room as she reflected on her time with the beloved actor. After gathering her thoughts, she admitted, “There are so many moments. There was this one time when Gattu sir (Abhishek Kapoor, the director) was very rushed. We were all under pressure. Gattu had worked with Sushant before, so I went to Sushant and told him, ‘I don’t know how to do this line, please show me.’ He just showed me, and I copied him.”
Sara fondly recounted how Sushant played a pivotal role in shaping her early career. “People compliment me on my Hindi and my curiosity about the world. So much of this is because of Sushant. Any appreciation I’ve received for Kedarnath – it’s all thanks to him. I can’t single out just one memory,” she said, her voice tinged with emotion.
Despite her successful debut, 2018 was a tumultuous year for Sara. She was caught in a legal battle due to the overlapping shooting schedules of “Kedarnath” and “Simmba.” Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, “Kedarnath” faced its share of setbacks when the film’s co-producers backed out. During this challenging period, Sara’s management agency allocated her dates to “Simmba,” directed by Rohit Shetty, leading to a court case.
Discussing the legal complications, Sara elaborated, “In May 2018, I was supposed to do ‘Simmba.’ ‘Kedarnath’ was the first film I had signed, and everything seemed fine initially.
. But then, the dates started clashing. I had already signed ‘Simmba,’ and we could not reconcile 3-4 overlapping dates. That’s when I was sued for Rs 5 crore by the makers of ‘Kedarnath.’ I was very anxious because I didn’t have Rs 5 crore.”
Adding further context, Sara shared more about her personal struggles during that time. “My grandfather, my mother’s father, was critically ill in Delhi. Ibrahim was in school, my mom was with my grandfather, and I was in Mumbai when I received a vakalatnama (legal notice). I was utterly confused about what to do next. Eventually, I had my management represent me in court because I had to resume shooting,” she explained. The complexities were even more challenging to navigate due to the emotional stress and the demands of simultaneous film shoots.
Sara continued, “Abhishek had his reasons too, I assume. But everything is fine now. Eventually, Rohit sir and Gattu sir met and resolved the issue with just a three-day adjustment. Rohit sir generously said, ‘Take the days you need.’ While it was a challenging period, it was sorted out. I spent a lot of time flying between Hyderabad and Mumbai since I was shooting for both films simultaneously.”
Shooting for “Kedarnath” and “Simmba” back-to-back, along with the legal tensions, would have been daunting for any newcomer. Sara’s candid revelations offer an in-depth look into the highs and lows she encountered during her inaugural year in Bollywood. Her respect and admiration for Sushant Singh Rajput shine through her words, revealing the profound influence he had on her both professionally and personally.
The poignant interplay of Sara Ali Khan’s career experiences highlights the resilience required to navigate the world of cinema, especially when climbing the ladder as a newcomer. Her candid reflections stand as a tribute to Sushant Singh Rajput, celebrating the lessons learned and the memories cherished forever.
