A Bollywood star who dreamed of the Moon. And beyond.

Sushant Singh Rajput was an Indian actor known for his versatile performances in films and television. Born on 21 January 1986 in Patna, the capital and largest city in the eastern India state of Bihar, he began his acting career in 2008 with the popular television show “Pavitra Rishta” and went on to star in numerous Bollywood films.

But Rajput was also known for his interest in physics, the Universe beyond us and, in particular, the Moon. Known to his fans simply as “SSR,” he was a self-taught student of physics and was often seen discussing scientific concepts on social media. He even went on to play the role of a theoretical physicist in the film “Chhichhore” and was praised for his portrayal of the character.

Sushant Singh Rajput (Photo)
Sushant Singh Rajput

An astrophysicist at heart, Rajput was also a student of the Apollo 11 mission and the first human landing on the Moon. He had a large collection of books and documentaries on the subject and posted on social media about his fascination with the mission, even going so far as to purchase properties on the far side of the Moon in the Mare Moscoviense, facing out into the vast universe, which he referred to as “My Side of the Moon.”

Sushant Singh Rajput Property on Moon (Image)
Sushant’s Instagram post announcing “My Side Of The Moon” 🌓

In addition to his acting career, Rajput was also a trained dancer, business entrepreneur, a skilled pilot, and advocate for social causes. He had a passion for flying and often shared pictures and videos of himself flying planes on social media. For an upcoming role in which he was to play an astronaut, he undertook training at a NASA facility in Huntsville, Alabama.

Sushant Singh Rajput training as an astronaut (photo)
Sushant Singh Rajput training as an astronaut

Tragically, Rajput died on 14 June 2020 at his home in Bandra West, Mumbai, at the age of 34. His death, officially reported as a suicide, has been disputed by his millions of fans who point to numerous flaws in the subsequent investigation; they remain firmly convinced that he met his end by far more sinister means.

Mare Moscoviense SSR Crater (at Titov) Image
Crater Rajput, adjacent to Crater Titov on the Mare Moscoviense

As a tribute to Sushant, a 5-kilometer-wide crater in the Mare Moscoviense northeast of the larger Titov Crater was dedicated in his honor.

In addition, the first New Moon of 2023 – falling on January 21, coincidentally the 37th anniversary of his birth – was proclaimed as “Sushant Moon” in recognition of the actor and his millions of fans, known as SSRians, around the world. (The date also marks the closest distance between Earth and Moon during the year.)

January 2023 Lunar Phases (NASA-JPL-Caltech Image)

“Sushant Moon,” regardless of the Lunar phase, is planned to be an annual celebration of Rajput, his life, his aspirations and the hope he inspired in his fans.

The prestigious University of California at Berkeley has also established the Sushant Singh Rajput Memorial Fund in Physics, aimed in particular at supporting graduate students studying astrophysics.

Sushant Singh Rajput Memorial Fund - Cal Physics (Image)

Sushant was a multi-faceted individual who had a deep interest in physics and the Moon, in addition to his successful acting career. His love for science and technology made him a unique personality in the Indian entertainment industry.

Sushant Singh Rajput speaks to students at the India Institute of Technology (IIT) in Bombay in 2016.

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6 Comments

  1. By day by day we love you more Sushant we have huge respect about your personality and towards your talent we miss you so much love you 😍

  2. Geetanjali says:

    Multi talented and intelligent person is my all time favourite . Well deserved honour naming if a crater after him

  3. Nikhil Pandit says:

    Very few people reach at a point where the whole world love’s and misses you for your talent, passion and lovable attitude, which you achieved. Love you brother, you will in my memories till my last breath. Stay happy wherever you are.

  4. V.V.Cherian says:

    Now that is an outstanding act to honour SSR by naming the crater after his m & more so to call the New Moon of 21/1/23 as the “Sushant Moon” – kudos
    He was a gem – may his soul RIP

  5. Wish you were alive today to inspire all the youngsters to live their dream. Well deserved recognition of his love for astro physics, by naming a crater after him.

  6. R H Gupta says:

    Unique STAR

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