#SushantDay: From Sara Ali Khan to Kriti Sanon: 10 co-stars who fondly remembered late Sushant Singh Rajput

January 21--a day that was usually full of celebrations, fun, and laughter for Sushant's family and friends--is now tinged with sadness. On the actor's 35th birth anniversary, fans have declared it to be #SushantDay and social media has been abuzz with tributes and letters to the late actor. To mark the day, we take a look back on the times when his co-stars remembered him fondly...

Pic: Sanjana Sanghi/ Sara Ali Khan

Sara Ali Khan, who made her acting debut opposite Sushant Singh Rajput in ‘Kedarnath’, has always credited the late actor for making her feel comfortable on the film sets and making the process easier for her. When he passed away, the heartbroken actress had taken to Instagram to share a monochrome still from the sets and captioned it simply as, “Sushant Singh Rajput,” followed by a series of broken heart emoticons.

Pic: Sara Ali Khan

Sushant shared a special bond with 'Raabta' co-star Kriti Sanon. The actress channeled her grief over his death by writing long notes on social media. One of them read, “Sush.. I knew that your brilliant mind was your best friend and your worst enemy.. but it has broken me completely to know that you had a moment in your life where Dying felt easier or better than Living. I so wish you had people around you to get you past THAT moment, i wish you hadn’t pushed the ones who loved you away.. i wish i could have fixed that something which was broken inside you..I couldn’t.. I wish so so many things.... A part of my heart has gone with you.. and a part will always keep you alive.. Never stopped praying for your happiness and never will..️”

Pic: Kriti Sanon

Sanjana Sanghi essayed the role of SSR’s onscreen lady love. Deeply hurt by Sushant’s demise, she had taken to social media to write, “Whoever said time helps heal all wounds was lying. Some feel like they’re being ripped open, again and again, and bleeding: Of moments now will forever remain memories. Of laughs together that were but will never again be. Of questions that will remain unanswered. Of disbelief, that only keeps growing…”

Pic: Sanjana Sanghi

Disha Patani, who shared screen space with Sushant Singh Rajput in ‘MS Dhoni: The Story Untold’ had shared some adorable stills with the late actor taking us on a walk down the memory lane along with her.

Pic: Movie still

'Drive' co-star Jacqueline Fernandez, in a chat with a news portal, revealed that she shared a great bond with Sushant Singh Rajput as they did a film together, followed by stage show appearances and travelling to places. While SSR had introduced Jacqueline to science and books, she asserted that being with the late actor had also improved her wellness and energy levels.

Pic: Jacqueline Fernandez

Recalling memories of working with Sushant in 'Shuddh Desi Romance', Vaani Kapoor had told ETimes that she had met him for the first time at YRF. "It was a reading session and Manish Sharma was there. I remember walking in and Sushant gave me the warmest smile. You know when you get that comfort feeling about someone even though you don't know them that well because they treat you with love and warmth. Sushant was very helpful and sweet. Throughout the film, he was really sweet to me. He was so talented, when I see him in 'Dil Bechara' now I just realise what a good actor he was. That void will always be there for all of us. It makes you feel gloomy when you think of what happened. Sushant was my first co-actor so that will always be a special memory."

Pic: Vaani Kapoor

Paying a tribute to Sushant, ‘Chhichhore’ co-star, Shraddha Kapoor had shared: “Been trying to accept what has happened and coming to terms with it is very difficult. There is a huge void... Sushant...! Dearest Sush...! Full of humility, intelligence, curiosity about life, seeing beauty in everything, everywhere! He danced to his own tune!”

Pic: Shraddha Kapoor

‘Kedarnath’ co-star Nitish Bharadwaj exclusively told ETimes, “When we were shooting the underwater sequence for the climax of the film in Khopoli in April, 2018, my six-year-old twin daughters had visited the sets. He had bonded well with them and promised to wish them on their birthday in May. But he forgot to do so. In the next schedule, he suddenly recalled making the promise and immediately called them up for belated birthday wishes. They were upset with him for he had broken his promise but he apologised to them like kids do with each other all the time and soon all was forgotten (smiles).

Pic: Nitish Bharadwaj

SSR’s onscreen mother, Alka Amin shared with ETimes exclusively, “While spending time with him, I didn't know if I would work with him or meet him again, but now that he is no more, those memories have become more precious to me. I miss him and I really pray for him to get everything he ever wanted. Amen!"

Pic: Alka Amin

Sushant and Swastika had shared screen space more than once for their films and shared a close bond. Talking about it to Times Now, the actress had shared, “I feel that when we shot in Paris in 2019, he was a little ‘calmer’ and was not talking as much as he used to speak. During 2018, he was bubbling with energy, but during the Paris schedule, he was maybe a ‘calmer’ (version) of himself. He was very child-like on the sets and Mukesh Chhabra dealt with him like a parent and guardian figure.”

Pic: Swastika Mukherjee