Trailer of Shashank, based on life of Sushant Singh Rajput, released on his birth anniversary

Filmmaker Sanoj Mishra’s upcoming movie Shashank is based on the life and death of the Hindi film star Sushant Singh Rajput. Hence, the makers released the trailer on 21 January, the actor's 36th birth anniversary. Rajput died by suicide at his residence in Bandra, Mumbai on 14 June 2020.

The film sees Ravi Sudha Choudhary play the titular role while Arya Babbar will play a big-ticket film producer. 

Sushant Singh Rajput (21 January 1986–14 June 2020): A star that shone briefly and was gone

Speaking about the film, Choudhary said in a statement, “We are remembering him [Rajput] on his birthday while releasing the trailer of this film. Ravi told that we both belong from same hometown Purnea, Bihar (sic) and he inspired us a lot. We are following his footprints. This film will unveil many secrets. After the death of Sushant, many questions have been raised against Bollywood [the Hindi film industry]. There has always been an unfair treatment with the outsiders.” 

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Producer Marut Singh and Ramesh Parmar said in a joint statement, “Arya Babbar is playing the role of a big filmmaker in the film. We do not want to name any famous producer, but in Bollywood, big producers and studios are running the mafia network and restricting outside actors and directors to go ahead. Shashank will show this dark side of Bollywood.” 

The makers haven’t announced a release date for Shashank but they have stated that if the COVID-19 pandemic gets under control, it will be released in March.