Gone too soon: Friends, colleagues remember Sushant Singh Rajput on his death anniversary

On the first death anniversary of Sushant Singh Rajput, Bollywood personalities Bhumi Pednekar, Rajkummar Rao, and directors Abhishek Kapoor and Mukesh Chhabra paid tributes to their "curious" and "inspirational" colleague.

Rajput, 34, was found dead at his Bandra residence on June 14, 2020.

A popular face on Indian television courtesy of the hit soap opera Pavitra Rishta, Rajput made his feature film debut in 2013 with Kai Po Che!.

Ekta Kapoor shared a series of pictures on her Instagram page and hashtagged the caption, "Remembering Sushant Singh Rajput."

"Wished on the stars with you... Now I wish on a star knowing it's you," she wrote.

The producer was instrumental in giving Rajput his breakthrough with the hit show Pavitra Rishta in 2009.

Read more: Delhi HC rejects plea by Sushant Singh Rajput's father to stay 'fictional' movie

Abhishek Kapoor, who directed Rajput in Kai Po Che! and Kedarnath, said he is yet to come to terms with the actor's demise.

"One year today... Still numb. #omnamahshivaya #sushantsinghrajput #superstar forever," he wrote.

Rajput's friend and casting director Chhabra, who directed the actor in his last cinematic outing Dil Bechara, shared Kapoor's sentiment.

"Nothing seems to be the same. The void you left behind still remains. Here's hoping I'll see you once again. Miss you brother. #stillnumb #sushantsinghrajput," he added.

Ali Khan, who worked with Rajput in her 2018 debut Kedarnath, shared a picture with the late actor and recalled how he was instrumental in "introducing" her to the world of acting.

"Whenever I needed help, advice or a laugh you were always there. You introduced me to the world of acting, made me believe that dreams could come true, and gave me all that I have today. Still can't believe you're gone. But every time I look at the stars, the rising sun or the moon I know you're here. From Kedarnath to Andromeda," the actor wrote.

Rajput's Chhichhore co-star Shraddha Kapoor posted a picture with him on Instagram and captioned, "Shine on, dearest Sush."

Rao, who starred with the late actor in Kai Po Che!, shared Rajput's picture on his Instagram Story, with the caption "Bhai (brother)."

Rajput's Raabta co-star Kriti Sanon shared a collage from the look test she did with the actor for the 2017 romantic-drama.

Sanon said she still feels like the actor is still around and she will meet him someday.

"Today, it feels so painfully weird to know that you and I are not in the same world anymore... Still feels like it hasn't happened for real. Like maybe you are still around and I'll bump into you somewhere..

"I don't think it'll ever sink in... But I pray that you are happy and at peace whichever world you are in, Sush," she captioned the collage.

Rajput's former girlfriend, actor Rhea Chakraborty, posted an emotional note on Instagram remembering her "love".

"There isn't a moment where I believe that you aren't here anymore. They said that time heals everything but you were my time and my everything.

"I know that you are my guardian angel now - watching me with your telescope from the moon and protecting me," Chakraborty, 28, wrote alongside her photo with Rajput, a science nerd who had a deep interest in astronomy.

Rajput's Dil Bechara co-star Sanjana Sanghi shared her photo with the late actor on her Instagram Story, captioning it: "A forever void. Miss you."

In an emotional note, Pednekar said she misses her Sonchiriya co-star and his questions.

"From the stars to the things unknown, you showed me the world like I had never seen it before. I hope you've found your peace my curious sweet SSR...Om Shanti," she wrote on the photo-video sharing platform.

Actor Tahir Raj Bhasin also shared a few photographs with Rajput on his Instagram Story.

"Remembering your insatiable curiosity and intelligence. Gone too soon. May you always remain interstellar," Bhasin said about his Chhichhore co-actor.

Rajput's Pavitra Rishta co-star and former girlfriend Ankita Lokhande shared a montage of their pictures on the social media platform.

"This was our journey. Phir milenge chalte chalte (until next time)," she captioned the video.

Pulkit Samrat, another TV actor who transitioned to films, said Rajput's death felt like "a personal loss".

In a note, Samrat said the late star still exists as "an inspiration to those who dare to dream big".

"You exist in the hopes and aspirations of every small town guy who dreams of making it big some day. You exist for everyone who wants to believe that humans are capable of kindness.

"You exist for everyone who dares to dream. I never got to know you in this lifetime, but if we live more than once, I would want to be a part of the world again where you exist, a world that is much kinder than this one. Sushant Singh Rajput, you are missed," the Fukrey actor said.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is probing Rajput's death, with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Narcotics Control Board (NCB) investigating money laundering and drugs related angle in the case.