Director Abhishek Chaubey has reflected on Sushant Singh Rajput's performance in "Sonchiriya," drawing distinctions between the late actor and other Bollywood stars. Chaubey's praise highlights Rajput's unique qualities and dedication to the role.

During the casting for "Sonchiriya," Chaubey met Rajput and was immediately impressed by his enthusiasm and intellectual curiosity. Rajput, who was filming another project at the time, readily met with Chaubey on Holi in 2017 and spent hours discussing the film. Chaubey had intended to give Rajput a broad overview of the film but Rajput immediately asked for the script, demonstrating his eagerness.

Chaubey found Rajput to be unique compared to other male leads in Bollywood. According to Chaubey, Rajput was not insecure about marketing himself or his films and wasn't obsessed with his career. Rajput's interests extended beyond the film industry, as he would engage in conversations about science, the universe, astronomy, and philosophy.

In "Sonchiriya," Rajput played Lakhna, a foot soldier in a gang of bandits, who ultimately distinguishes right from wrong and emerges as the hero. Chaubey noted that Rajput was very careful and knew that he would have to raise his game to be in sync when his scene was with a stalwart like Manoj Bajpayee.

Chaubey and Rajput maintained a warm relationship during the filming of "Sonchiriya" and kept in touch afterward. Chaubey remembered Rajput as an extremely intelligent man with a childlike curiosity. Rajput's tragic passing in June 2020 shocked Chaubey, who still finds it difficult to process. He described Rajput's death as a "bolt from the blue".

Chaubey reflected on a conversation he had with Rajput in April, where they discussed COVID-19 and the lockdown. He admitted that he would find it too emotional to watch "Sonchiriya" now, particularly the scene where Lakhna envisions an alternate life.

"Sonchiriya," a film set against the backdrop of the Chambal ravines, faced challenges during its production. Shooting in the difficult terrain was physically demanding, with extreme temperature variations. Despite these challenges, Rajput's commitment to the film was evident.