I Stand With Alia Bhatt

Alia Bhatt doesn't matter — Sushant Singh Rajput does.

Written by Shlok Sharma.

Not yet half a week after Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide, India's national conversation has shifted from the rot of nepotism and how it has corrupted Bollywood to a Twitter trend: "I Stand With Alia Bhatt."

The hashtag came about when her fans rushed to her defense. Over what? Over the fact that she has benefited from a system that devalues genuine artistry and rewards connections? Over the fact that she symbolizes the larger problems of the industry — nepotism, and the devaluation of training and merit? Over the fact that she put out a hollow condolence statement, though the man never seemed to get her attention when he was alive?

Fans never need to articulate a reason for defending their idol. If they did, they'd be forced to contend with an uncomfortable fact: that Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar, YRF, and most of the connection-driven institutions in the Indian film industry function the exact opposite of what makes India great — a meritocracy.

India is a fantastic country. It has been pillaged and robbed of its riches, forced to develop from the ground up — and despite all odds, it has developed. It consistently produces the smartest engineers and doctors because of meritocratic institutions: its engineering schools, medical schools, and academic systems are among the most difficult in the world. They are based on ability, not connection — a huge part of why India has risen so rapidly. Contrast that with Bollywood: a nepotistic mess. That's why anyone who would twist this moment — from honoring a genuine artist into a half-hearted defense of an actress who never needed defending — should rethink their actions. Immediately.

I'm not going to pretend I was an incredible fan of Sushant Singh Rajput. As a society, we tend to pile our sentiments onto any celebrity upon their death to make ourselves feel important. But Sushant Singh Rajput died by suicide, and no one should ever take that step. And although the stories surrounding his death may simply be allegations, they're worth looking into — not dismissing out of idolatry. If the industry's corruption drove him to that end, it should be investigated, exposed, and stopped.

Who cares about Alia Bhatt? In this case, no one should.

Originally published June 2020. This is an opinion piece; his death was ruled a suicide by Mumbai police.