Bollywood icon Salman Khan bid a poignant farewell to his close friend Sushil Kumar, whom he called a brother for over four decades, through emotional Instagram posts on Sunday night. The superstar celebrated Sushil’s unbreakable spirit, sharing rare glimpses into their deep bond that has touched fans worldwide.
Salman described Sushil as the “nicest, kindest, most helpful” person, always smiling and dancing through financial, emotional, or physical hardships. He recalled Sushil’s mantra: “Farak nai painda, sab theek hoga” (It doesn’t matter, everything will be fine), highlighting his friend’s resilience even when “down and out.” “Lived like a man, fought death like a freaking heavyweight champion,” Salman wrote, noting Sushil passed with a smile, urging him to now “enjoy your cigarettes and whisky.”
Refusing conventional grief, Salman declared, “No tears for you brother, only memories and laughter,” and playfully added, “Tu mera liver kidney kharab karega” (You’ll ruin my liver and kidneys). He philosophized on destiny: good souls leave early, while others linger to settle dues, emphasizing, “Koi pehle koi baad mein… kuch kar ke jao” (Some go first, some later—do something meaningful). Fans flooded social media with tributes, moved by Salman’s raw vulnerability rarely seen from the tough star.
Further talking about his friend Sushil, the actor wrote, “Enjoy, my bro. You left this planet. Spoke to your wife, she knows you’ve left her for someone else there, haha. I wish I could abuse, be angry, or cry, which I do easily but for you, not even one tear. I see people on social media saying “RIP” RSVP etc. You’re gone, bro. And I won’t call you a body, because you didn’t have one. So I will call you Sushil Kumar. No “rest in peace.” Wake the freaking hell up. Ahhhhh…Enjoy. Cheers, bro. Accha bhala chal raha tha tu mera liver n kidney kharaab karega (You were doing perfectly fine, now you’re going to ruin my liver and kidneys).”
Amid personal loss, Salman gears up for Maatrubhumi, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, backed by his home production—though details like its Galwan Valley theme have shifted. He also stars with Nayanthara in Vamshi Paidipally’s untitled film, shooting since April. Sushil’s death reminds us of the quiet pillars behind celebrities, leaving a void in Salman’s circle