Director Abhishek Chaubey explained his choice of Sushant Singh Rajput for the lead role in the 2019 film 'Sonchiriya.' Chaubey stated that Rajput's "desi" background and familiarity with small-town life made him a more natural fit for the film's Chambal dacoit setting than "Bandra boys" or conventional stars. The film, which explores themes of violence, morality, and survival, was critically acclaimed but commercially unsuccessful, later gaining a cult following. Chaubey also recalled Rajput's passion for astronomy.