Actor and entrepreneur Rhea Chakraborty has reflected on one of the most difficult chapters of her life, revealing how the aftermath of the Sushant Singh Rajput case inspired her entrepreneurial journey. Speaking on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s podcast Double Date, Rhea shared that she had initially planned to give her clothing brand a bold and unconventional name before finally settling on Chapter 2.
The actor revealed that her first choice was “Chudail Ka Badla” (The Witch’s Revenge), a name she believed symbolized reclaiming her narrative after years of public scrutiny.
‘Chudail Ka Badla’ and ‘Black Sheep’ Were the Original Brand Names
Recalling the brainstorming process, Rhea said she was convinced that “Chudail Ka Badla” would make for a unique brand identity and had even envisioned a complete line of T-shirts and merchandise around the concept.
“I was very keen on naming the brand Chudail Ka Badla. I was completely sure about it and even imagined creating cool T-shirts and merchandise. Everyone told me not to be so negative, but I kept saying, ‘It’s not negative, it’s funny.'”
When the idea did not receive support, Rhea considered another name—Black Sheep.
She explained that she and her brother Showik Chakraborty identified with the phrase because of how they felt after facing public criticism and isolation.
“Then I wanted to call the brand Black Sheep, and I even got bracelets made with Black Sheep written on them because that’s how we felt. We felt like the black sheep of society.”
How Chapter 2 Was Born
Rhea and Showik revealed that launching a business became a way to rebuild their lives after their legal troubles and professional setbacks.
Following their release from jail, Rhea said she had stopped receiving acting offers, while Showik was also struggling to find work. Instead of dwelling on the past, the siblings decided to create a brand aimed at empowering people and encouraging fresh beginnings. That vision eventually became Chapter 2, symbolizing hope, resilience, and starting over.
What Happened to Rhea Chakraborty and Showik?
Rhea Chakraborty came under intense media attention after the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput, who was found dead at his Mumbai residence on June 14, 2020.
Following a complaint filed by Sushant’s father, Rhea was accused of abetment of suicide and became the subject of multiple investigations by agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
Rhea and her brother Showik were arrested by the NCB over allegations related to marijuana procurement. However, the Bombay High Court later granted them bail, observing that there was no evidence to support claims that Rhea had financed or harboured Sushant’s alleged drug use.
In March 2025, the CBI filed its closure report in the case, giving Rhea Chakraborty a clean chit. The actor has previously spoken about the emotional toll of the controversy, revealing that she experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the ordeal.
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Rhea Chakraborty’s Upcoming Project
Rhea Chakraborty was last seen in the 2021 mystery thriller Chehre. She is now set to make her acting comeback with Netflix’s upcoming series Family Business.
The series features an ensemble cast including Anil Kapoor, Vijay Varma, Dhruv Sehgal, Neha Dhupia, Raima Sen, Akash Khurana, Apara Mehta, Nandish Sandhu, Anant Nag, Rohan Vinod Mehra, Tina Desai, Kanwaljit Singh, Madhoo, and Inayat Sood.
Produced by Vikram Malhotra and Hansal Mehta, the series has been created by Niren Bhatt and Hansal Mehta. Netflix is yet to announce the official release date.
BY JESSICA SABHARWAL
