Nearly six years after one of Bollywood’s most controversial chapters, actor Rhea Chakraborty has spoken candidly about the emotional scars she continues to carry. Appearing alongside her brother Showik Chakraborty on Neha Dhupia and Angad Bedi’s chat show Double Date, the siblings reflected on the trauma they endured, their personal lives, and how they rebuilt their careers after facing years of public scrutiny.
Speaking about the difficult phase that followed the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput in 2020, Rhea admitted that healing is still an ongoing journey. She described trauma as something that never completely disappears, explaining that while therapy helps, certain experiences remain deeply rooted.
“It’s not something that you can truly get over. It’s trauma. It stays in your body, if not in your mind,” she shared, adding that recovery requires constant effort and self-work.
Showik agreed with her sentiments, revealing that both siblings continue to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). looking back at those turbulent days, he said even something as ordinary as a doorbell can trigger painful memories because they constantly feared someone was coming after them.
Apart from discussing their mental health, the conversation also touched upon Rhea’s personal life. The actress confirmed that she is currently single and isn’t actively searching for a relationship. However, she admitted that companionship would be welcome at the right time. When asked what quality she values most in a future partner, her answer was simple: “Evolved.”
The siblings also shared a humorous exchange about marriage. Rhea joked that she cannot marry before her younger brother, while Showik insisted he would only marry after she does, leaving both laughing over their unlikely stalemate.
One of the most revealing moments of the interview came when they spoke about rebuilding their professional lives after opportunities in the entertainment industry dried up. According to Rhea, acting offers stopped coming, while Showik’s academic and career aspirations were derailed despite scoring 97 percent in his exams and dreaming of pursuing higher studies at institutions like IIM or Wharton.
Faced with limited opportunities, the siblings decided to venture into entrepreneurship and launched their clothing brand, Chapter 2, which has now grown into a business reportedly worth around ₹40 crore.
Interestingly, Rhea revealed that the brand almost had a very different identity. She admitted she initially wanted to call it “Chudail Ka Badla”, inspired by the way she felt she had been portrayed during the media frenzy. Another option they seriously considered was “Black Sheep,” reflecting how isolated they felt during that period.
Eventually, they settled on Chapter 2, a name that symbolised a fresh beginning and a chance to move forward. Today, Showik serves as the company’s CEO, while both siblings continue working together to build a new chapter in their lives.
Their candid conversation offered a rare glimpse into resilience, showing how personal setbacks, public judgment and professional uncertainty can eventually pave the way for renewal and reinvention.
