Sushant and Sanjana in Dil Bechara. (courtesy: sanjanasanghi96)

New Delhi:

Late actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s last project Dil Bechara, also starring Sanjana Sanghi, is slated to release on July 24 on OTT platform Disney Plus Hotstar. On Thursday, the film’s lead actress Sanjana shared the news on social media along with a poster of the film. Sushant Singh Rajput’s film was ready for release before the coronavirus lockdown hit. Sharing the film’s poster of Dil Bechara, Sanjana Sanghi wrote: “A story of love, of hope, and of endless memories. Celebrating our dearest, and the late Sushant Singh Rajput’s legacy that will be etched in the minds of all and cherished forever. Dil Bechara is going to be coming to everyone on Disney Plus Hotstar on July 24. For the love of Sushant and his love for cinema, the movie will be available to all subscribers and non-subscribers.”

Read Sanjana Sanghi’s post here:

The film’s director Mukesh Chhabra said that he never imagined that he would be releasing the film without Sushant. He told news agency PTI: “Sushant was not just the hero of my debut film as a director, but he was a dear friend who stood by me through thick and thin. We had been close right from Kai Po Che! to Dil Bechara. He had promised me that he would be in my first film. So many plans were made together, so many dreams were dreamt together but never once did I ever imagine that I would be left alone to release this film. He always showered immense love on me while I was making it and his love will guide us as we release it.”

Uday Shankar, President of The Walt Disney Company APAC and Chairman, Star and Disney India, said, “We are humbled to be able to play a small part in sustaining the legacy of a fine actor like Sushant Singh Rajput. In celebration of his life and his extraordinary work, Dil Bechara will release directly on digital this July on Disney+ Hotstar, and will be available to all subscribers and non-subscribers across India. Our prayers and wishes to his family and loved ones.” Fox Star Studios had produced the late actor’s 2016 film MS Dhoni: The Untold Story and the 2019 film Chhichhore.

Dil Bechara is inspired by John Green’s book The Fault In Our Stars, which was also adapted into Hollywood film with the same name and it featured Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort in the lead roles. The film has been directed by casting director Mukesh Chhabra, who is making his debut as a director with the movie.

After her co-star Sushant Singh Rajput’s death on June 14, Sanjana Sanghi has been sharing a series of emotions posts on her social media profile, remembering the late actor. “I refreshed my web pages 100 times hoping I’m reading some sort of horrible joke. I’m not equipped to process any of this. I don’t think I ever will be. I’m definitely not equipped to articulate my feelings, this is me failing but trying. After 2 years of seemingly all the possible difficulties one single film can face, with all sorts of crap constantly being written, and being relentlessly pursued. We were supposed to finally see our film – my first film, and what you told me you believed was your best film yet, together,” she said in one of the videos.

. . You gave me a forever, within a limited number of days, and for that. I’m forever grateful. – our beloved novel, The Fault In Our Stars A forever of learnings, and of memories. I refreshed my web pages a 100 times hoping I’m reading some sort of horrible joke. I’m not equipped to process any of this. I don’t think I ever will be. I’m definitely not equipped to articulate my feelings, this is me failing, but trying. Sushant and I were to save all our anecdotes, moments and stories from the time we spent shooting together up until the release of our film, so we had kept them in our stomachs all this while. After 2 years of seemingly all the possible difficulties one single film can face, with all sorts of crap constantly being written, and being relentlessly pursued – we were supposed to FINALLY watch the film, our labour of love, together – my first, and what you told me you believed was your best film yet. Amidst your journey, and in the middle of 16 hour long shoot days, you somehow found a way and had a desire to yell out to me from the opposite side of set screaming “Rockstar, itni achi acting thodi na karte hain paagal!” ; To guide me over things big & small through our film’s process, To tell me to conserve my energy on set; To discuss even the smallest nuance you thought could change the narrative of a scene and would whole heartedly accept my disagreement; To discuss ways in which we could together forge a brighter educational future for the children of India. You were a force Manny, and you always will be. We’re going to spend an eternity to try and make sense of what you’ve left us behind with, and I personally never will be able to. I simply wish you never left us behind in the first place. Just know, you have a country full of millions, looking up at you, smiling at you, thankful for you. As you smile back at us, from up above. The fact that you get to spend the rest of your time by your mother’s side, I know you gives the only happiness you wanted in the world. #RIPSushantSinghRajput

A post shared by Sanjana Sanghi (@sanjanasanghi96) on Jun 14, 2020 at 6:42am PDT

Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide, said the police. He became a star after featuring in Balaji Telefilms’ popular daily show Pavitra Rishta. His impressive filmography included hits as well critically acclaimed films like MS Dhoni: The Untold Story, Kedarnath, Chhichhore and Sonchiriya among others. Mr Rajput’s last project was the 2019 Netflix film Drive.

(If you need support or know someone who does, please reach out to your nearest mental health specialist.) Helplines: AASRA: 91-22-27546669 (24 hours) Sneha Foundation: 91-44-24640050 (24 hours) Vandrevala Foundation for Mental Health: 1860-2662-345 and 1800-2333-330 (24 hours) iCall: 022-25521111 (Available from Monday to Saturday: 8:00am to 10:00pm) Connecting NGO: 18002094353 (Available from 12 pm – 8 pm)

 (With inputs from PTI)