The year 2020 marked an unforeseen and profound shift in the life of actor Rhea Chakraborty, following the tragic demise of her former boyfriend, Sushant Singh Rajput. This event plunged her into an intense public and legal maelstrom that cast a long shadow over her career and personal life. Although the Central Bureau of Investigation ultimately filed a closure report in the case several months ago, effectively exonerating Rhea of any wrongdoing, the period preceding this resolution was fraught with immense difficulty. Both Rhea and her brother, Showik Chakraborty, experienced arrest by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with allegations of drug involvement linked to Sushant.
Rhea, currently captivating audiences in the second season of ‘The Traitors’, recently appeared as a guest on Farah Khan’s insightful YouTube vlog. During this candid conversation, which Rhea terms her “Chapter 2,” she bravely delved into the profound hardships her family endured amidst the relentless scrutiny surrounding Sushant’s death and her subsequent arrest. She disclosed a particularly poignant incident involving her father, Indrajit Chakraborty, a retired army officer who had previously served as a medical corps administrator. He was devastatingly let go from a significant professional opportunity. “Papa got a very big job as a medical superintendent at a very big hospital in town,” Rhea recounted, “and then they found out his surname and said, ‘Sorry, aap Rhea Chakraborty ke father ho toh aap yaha kaam nahi kar sakte (You are Rhea Chakraborty’s father so you cannot work here).'” This revelation underscores the far-reaching and indiscriminate impact of the controversy, extending beyond Rhea herself to affect her family’s livelihoods. Her father also briefly joined the vlog, expressing his anticipation for the delightful meals they would prepare in their newly outfitted kitchen, to which Farah playfully promised a roast chicken.
Following the passing of Sushant in 2020, Rhea faced incarceration and widespread social ostracization. A sense of relief finally emerged last year when the CBI’s closure report comprehensively cleared her name. She has openly discussed how this tumultuous period left an indelible mark on her mental well-being, leading to the development of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Adding another layer of public scrutiny, a pointed remark from co-contestant Mallika Sherawat during ‘The Traitors’ vividly rekindled painful memories of Rhea’s time in jail. The incident unfolded after Rhea defended Munawar Faruqui, who had made a comment regarding Mallika’s “comeback.” Rhea asserted, “I don’t think that was something so bad.” Mallika retorted sharply, “Oh, this is your comeback? Who is he to comment on that, Rhea? Is this game about comeback? I would also say, ‘Oh Rhea, you were in jail. This is the big comeback for you?'” Rhea firmly maintained that Mallika’s comment was considerably more personal and deeply hurtful than anything Munawar had directed towards her.
The current season of ‘The Traitors’ features a diverse array of celebrity participants, including Aaditya Kulshreshth (Kullu), Abhishek Malhan (Fukraa Insaan), Ansh Chopra, Dalip Tahil, Harman Singha, Ikka Singh, Karan Singh Magic, Krystle D’Souza, Mallika Sherawat, Munawar Faruqui, Parul Gulati, Prish and Ranveer Brar, alongside Rhea Chakraborty, Rida Tharana, Sahil Salathia, Shahneel Gill, Shalini Passi, Shweta Tiwari, Soundous Moufakir, and Tanya Puri, all navigating the intricate dynamics of the entertainment competition.
