Actor Rhea Chakraborty has once again spoken about one of the most difficult chapters of her life, saying that the trauma she experienced following the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput is something she continues to live with even years later.
Appearing on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s chat show Double Date, Rhea candidly discussed the emotional scars left by the events of 2020. She was joined by her brother, Showik Chakraborty, who also reflected on how the controversy changed their lives forever.
During the conversation, Showik described his life before the tragedy as completely different. He recalled being a focused student with dreams of pursuing higher education at a top business school. However, everything changed after Sushant’s death, and the years that followed became an emotional battle for the entire family.
Showik revealed that it took nearly four to five years for them to begin rebuilding their lives. He also shared that he continues to deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition that developed after the intense public scrutiny and legal proceedings.
When asked if she had managed to move on from the trauma, Rhea admitted that healing is an ongoing journey.
She explained that trauma never truly disappears.
According to Rhea, while therapy and emotional support help people cope, painful experiences often remain stored in the body even when the mind tries to move forward. She said healing is something that requires constant effort rather than a destination that can simply be reached.
The actor also spoke about the added burden of living through such a difficult period under constant public attention.
She noted that unlike private personal struggles, every aspect of her life was discussed and debated in the public eye. The relentless media coverage and widespread speculation made an already painful situation even harder to process.
Rhea acknowledged that people continue to talk about those events, but said she has gradually learned to accept it while focusing on her own recovery.
The actor’s life changed dramatically following the death of Sushant Singh Rajput on June 14, 2020. She faced multiple allegations made by the late actor’s family and was questioned by several investigative agencies.
Rhea and her brother were also arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in connection with a drugs-related investigation linked to the case. After spending time in custody, both were granted bail.
In the years that followed, the case continued under investigation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) later filed a closure report, giving Rhea a clean chit in the matter.
Since then, the actor has gradually rebuilt her career and public life. She has launched her own podcast, ventured into entrepreneurship and has spoken openly about prioritising mental health and personal healing.
Her latest comments offer a glimpse into the lasting emotional impact of living through one of the most widely discussed controversies in recent Bollywood history.
While Rhea says she has found ways to move forward, she believes that trauma leaves a lasting imprint—and that healing is a continuous process of learning, acceptance and resilience.
