FPJ Interview: Veteran Actor Naseer Abdullah Slams Media Hype Over Celeb Deaths, Urges Empathy; VIDEO

In a recent interview with the Free Press Journal, veteran actor Naseer Abdullah took a moment to reflect on some of the most shocking and mysterious in deaths in India’s recent history — the tragic passing of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, the legendary Sridevi, and Sunanda Pushkar, the wife of politician Shashi Tharoor.

Each of these cases left the country in a state of confusion, raising several questions that remain unanswered to this day. Abdullah's thoughts on these three deaths bring an important perspective, especially around the topic of substance abuse and the media's sensationalizing approach.

So Firstly When talking about Sushant Singh Rajput, Naseer Abdullah pointed out the overwhelming media frenzy that followed the actor’s tragic death in June 2020. As we all know, Sushant’s passing was initially ruled a suicide, but the investigation quickly took a dark turn when reports started surfacing about his alleged involvement with drugs. His girlfriend, Rhea Chakraborty, was dragged into the case, and the media painted a very grim picture, suggesting drug abuse was a key factor in his mental health struggle.

Abdullah, however, took a different stance. He said, “If Sushant took drugs, so be it.” His words reflect a call for empathy and a deeper understanding of mental health. According to Abdullah, it’s not the drugs alone that were to blame for Sushant’s death, but a combination of mental health issues, pressure from the industry, and an overall sense of isolation that Sushant may have felt.

He criticized the media for turning Sushant’s death into a sensational story, focusing more on the drug angle than on the real emotional struggles the actor might have faced. Naseer Abdullah is firm in his belief that the media should have respected the actor's legacy rather than exploiting his death for dramatic headlines. He urged people to remember Sushant for the work he did and not just the scandal surrounding his death.

Moving on to the death of the iconic actress Sridevi, Abdullah spoke about the uncertainty that surrounded her passing in February 2018. Sridevi's sudden demise in Dubai shocked everyone. Initially, reports said she had died of a cardiac arrest, but the cause was later changed to accidental drowning in her hotel bathtub.

Naseer Abdullah mentioned the inconsistencies in the investigation and questioned the authenticity of the reports. Why did the details of her death keep changing? Why was there no clear explanation? For someone as revered as Sridevi, these questions felt particularly troubling.

Naseer Abdullah expressed his disbelief, saying, “How could a woman like Sridevi, who had been in the public eye for decades, pass away under such unclear circumstances?” He brought attention to the fact that there were traces of alcohol in her body, and some speculated that she might have been under the influence of substances when she drowned.

However, the true cause of death remains uncertain. Abdullah, while not making direct accusations, pointed out that the media and the public never got proper answers. He questioned how such a sudden and tragic loss could be buried under confusion and inconsistency, suggesting that there was more to the story that the public never got to know.

Finally, Naseer Abdullah turned to the case of Sunanda Pushkar, the wife of Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who was found dead in a hotel room in Delhi in 2014. Like the other two cases, Sunanda’s death raised serious questions, especially since she had been active on social media just hours before her untimely passing. Abdullah highlighted the oddity of the situation — a public figure, in apparent good health, found dead under mysterious circumstances.

The initial autopsy indicated that Sunanda had died from poisoning, and later reports confirmed that anti-depressant drugs were found in her system. Some even speculated that she had overdosed, possibly due to the stress and pressure of her personal life.

Abdullah pointed out the odd silence surrounding her death and how, despite the high-profile nature of her case, there were no conclusive answers. “Why didn’t the investigation lead to any closure?” Abdullah asked. This case, like the others, raised uncomfortable questions about the lack of transparency in such investigations, especially when it involves high-profile personalities.

So in conclusion, Naseer Abdullah highlighted how fame, media pressure, and personal struggles often lead to tragic outcomes. He criticized the media for sensationalizing these deaths and stressed the importance of empathy and understanding, rather than jumping to conclusions.