Rhea Chakraborty's friend, Nidhi Hiranandani, has spoken about the hardships and emotional turmoil the actress and her family endured following Sushant Singh Rajput's death in 2020. She revealed that Rhea's parents were devastated when the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) arrested her in a drug-related case.Rhea, Sushant's then-girlfriend, endured intense public scrutiny and legal battles after the late actor's family accused her of cheating, extortion, and illegal confinement. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officially closed the case on March 22, 2025, ruling out any foul play in Sushant's death.Now, in an interview with Indian Express, Nidhi said that Rhea was made a scapegoat and opened up about their difficult phase. Nidhi said that Rhea's parents treated Sushant like 'family' and they were 'shattered' after the Kai Po Che actor died. "I saw how they broke down, their mental health was already suffering. What Rhea went through was unprecedented. I felt helpless seeing their life being ripped apart. The family wanted to lead with grace, they wanted it to end. We were begging and pleading with people to talk for us, but nobody wanted to. There was a wave of hatred, and everybody was riding on it. Nobody wanted to focus on the truth, but they wanted this person to hate. Rhea became the scapegoat," she said. She shared that Rhea's mother was so overwhelmed that she lost her voice and could barely speak. She would stand for hours in the temple with folded hands, endlessly praying for protection, Nidhi mentioned during the interview. 'Rhea, Showik had to grow up overnight'"Showik (Rhea's brother) was just 23, he was giving his CAT exams. He got admission to the most prestigious colleges, but he couldn't go. Rhea lost her career, she couldn't do any film. So much was taken from them. From a boy, Showik became a man who now wants to build his life and bring stability to the family. He lost his youth, his carefree days. Both Rhea and Showik had to grow up overnight," Nidhi further stated.She also said that Rhea is still a 'shattered person' and that it would take a lifetime to undo the damage the case and accusations did to her. Sushant Singh Rajput's death The actor was found dead at his Bandra residence in Mumbai on June 14, 2020, and after years of speculation and investigation, authorities have now confirmed it was a case of suicide. Additionally, Rhea was charged with procuring drugs for Sushant, leading to her arrest by the NCB, after which she spent a month in jail. The case triggered a massive media trial, with relentless television debates and speculative reports casting Rhea as a central figure in the controversy. The public narrative was fueled by sensationalised coverage, which intensified the backlash against her. While Rhea has not yet responded to receiving a clean chit, Showik shared a post on Instagram, a few days back, expressing relief. Posting a video with his sister, he wrote, "Satyameva Jayate (Truth alone triumphs)." The case had sparked heated discussions across social media, television channels, and even political circles. With the CBI's final report dismissing any criminal involvement, several Bollywood celebrities, including Dia Mirza, Pooja Bhatt and Arjit Taneja, demanded accountability from the media for the alleged 'campaign' against Rhea.Meanwhile, Rhea was out of work for several years and in April 2023, she started the shoot of MTV Roadies season 19. She was one of the gang leaders on the reality show. She is also seen as a gang leader in the ongoing season of the adventure reality show. On the film front, she was last seen in the 2021 thriller Chehre, which featured Amitabh Bachchan, Emraan Hashmi, and others. Rhea and Showik have also started their clothing brand Chapter 2.