Actor Saharsh Shukla, best known for playing the lovable "Bevda" in Nitesh Tiwari's National Award-winning film Chhichhore, has fondly remembered his late co-star Sushant Singh Rajput, describing him as "a truly good man" whose warmth, intelligence, and authenticity left a lasting impression on everyone around him. Speaking in a recent interaction, Saharsh reflected on the overwhelming response to his character and shared heartfelt memories of the actor six years after his passing.
Looking back at the success of Chhichhore, Saharsh admitted he never imagined that his relatively small role would become so iconic. "No, no, I had absolutely no idea. I didn't have the slightest clue that—wherever I went in India—people would watch this film so much or that this character would be liked so much. I knew nothing of the sort. I was simply working with the same sense of dedication I always bring to my work. I was fully committed... I had no idea about the impact it would have," he said. His portrayal of Bevda went on to become one of the film's most memorable performances, earning him recognition from audiences across the country.
Recalling the moment he learned of Sushant Singh Rajput's death on June 14, 2020, Saharsh said the news left him stunned. "I felt terrible. I remember it was the 14th of June. I was with my elder brother at the time. It was shocking news for me. I wondered, 'What is this?' But everyone kept saying, 'No, no, it's on TV; it's the news.' It was truly shocking," he shared, adding that he struggled to process the loss of someone he had spent an entire month working closely with.
Sharing memories from the Chhichhore set, Saharsh described Sushant as one of the most genuine people he had ever met. "We spent 30 days together. We had breakfast, lunch, and dinner together. We worked together; we used to hang out. He was a very good man. A truly good man. He had a wonderful heart. He was very affectionate," Saharsh recalled. One moment, in particular, has stayed with him over the years. "I had just finished a shot and was walking away alone when someone gave me a hard pat on the back and said, 'Hey, you're doing a great job.' That was Sushant. It felt so real and authentic. That's where our conversations began."
The actor also remembered Sushant's remarkable curiosity and love for learning, saying their conversations often drifted far beyond cinema. "He was a very educated man with extensive knowledge of science. Talking about the moon and stars was a favorite subject of his. We would spend hours discussing it. I remember conversations about land on the moon—he had either bought a plot or was planning to. It was fascinating," Saharsh said with a smile. He added that Sushant's energy and dedication were equally inspiring. "He was incredibly energetic and dynamic. He could write with both hands. He was deeply knowledgeable about science and electronics, and he was a very hardworking person who put his heart and soul into his acting assignments."
An alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Saharsh Shukla has carved a niche for himself with impactful character roles in Hindi cinema. While audiences continue to remember him as Bevda from Chhichhore, the actor was last seen in Kartavya, alongside Saif Ali Khan. His heartfelt recollections of Sushant Singh Rajput serve as a reminder of the late actor's enduring impact—not just on audiences, but also on those who had the privilege of working with him.