Sanjay Gupta on facing industry boycott after fallout with Sanjay Dutt

Director Sanjay Gupta faced a share of highs and lows in his 25 year long career. He is best known for his films like Kaante, Musafir, Zinda, the Shootout series and Kaabil. Gupta also witnessed a low phase in his life wherein he faced boycott from the industry after his fallout with actor Sanjay Dutt.

The film Kaante (2002) featured Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Lucky Ali, Mahesh Manjrekar among others. The film marked the Gupta’s entry in the gangster-thriller genre. However, following his fallout with Dutt, the Kaante director had to face boycott from the industry.

"Kaante happened and one didn't have to look back till there was a gap just before Shootout At Wadala for almost four years. Ninety per cent of the film industry wasn't willing to work with me. They were told to not work with me after my fallout with Sanju," Gupta told PTI.

He also added that though Dutt never instructed anyone to stop working with him, there were people around the actor who told others not to collaborate with him.

"That was an exceptionally low phase. I had almost given up. I had started working in a hotel in Khandala and used to go there four days a week. I thought this is my future, since I won't be getting work in the industry," the Kaante director said.

But Gupta bounced back after his son was born and decided to keep going. He revealed he had spoken to Ekta Kapoor about a sequel of Shootout at Lokhandwala. So he called Ekta up and told her, ''I'm ready' and that's it. Later, I met John Abraham and Anil Kapoor and they said yes. But they were also told not to work with me," Gupta added.

Besides, the director credited Anil Kapoor for supporting him when everybody else turned against him.

Currently, Sanjay is gearing up for his next directorial Mumbai Saga, featuring John Abraham, Emraan Hashmi, Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, Prateik Babbar, Gulshan Grover, Rohit Roy and Amole Gupte among others in significant roles.