MUMBAI: Actor Sushant Singh has been ousted from the reality TV crime series “Savdhaan India”, which he was hosting on the channel Star Bharat.
Singh on Tuesday announced that his association with long-running TV show has ended following his participation in the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
The actor, who has been part of the show as its host since 2011, shared the news on Twitter, hinting that his participation in the protests may have been the reason behind his exit.
“And, my stint with Savdhaan India has ended,” Sushant wrote.
Commenting on his post, a user wondered whether it was the “price” he paid for “speaking the truth”.
To this, the actor said, “A very small price my friend. Otherwise how will you face Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru?”
Sushant was alluding to his role in Rajkumar Santoshi”s 2002 film “The Legend of Bhagat Singh” in which he had portrayed freedom fighter Sukhdev opposite Ajay Devgn”s Bhagat Singh and D”Santosh”s Rajguru.
Condemned Jamia crackdown
The actor participated in a protest in Mumbai had also condemned the police crackdown on the students of Jamia Millia Islamia university.
Jamia turned into a battlefield on Sunday as police entered the campus and used force to quell student protests against the Act that excludes Muslims.
One of the Twitter users also shared Sushant’s picture with the protesters and wrote, “Good to see @sushant_says come out in support. Also, the protesting students kept the focus on #CAA and police excesses in #Jamia and #AMU. A speaker trying to make it Cong vs BJP was asked not to venture there.”
“Saavdhan India” currently airs on Star Bharat and the network is yet to respond to the news of Sushant”s exit.
‘Can’t Sell Conscience’
Singh, who is also the general secretary of Cine and TV Artists’ Association (CINTAA) said, “Every actor’s career comes to an end some day, mine would get over a little sooner. I don’t care. I’ll earn money by doing other shows. I was just telling somebody, ‘talent bechta hoon, zameer nahi (I sell my talent, not conscience).”
Twitterati hails him hero
People on Twitter praising him for his brave step.