Anthony kahan hai?

Blast from the past: Sanjay Dutt. Pic: Pradeep Dhivar

As August 10, the date for the final verdict on the 1993 Mumbai blast case draws near, actor Sanjay Dutt, one of the accused in the case, has reasons to be anxious.

The Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court announcement came on July 27. That was also the date of the music launch of Dutt's latest film, Anthony Kaun Hai?, which the actor avoided attending.

Avoiding media

Dutt cancelled all promotional appearances scheduled to coincide with the release of this film and also decided against a lavish bash for his birthday on July 29. The 47-year-old actor also skipped his St Lawrence School (Sanawar, Shimla) reunion held at the ITC Grand Central (Parel) on August 5.

"Sanju is very tense at the moment. I have sent him text messages and told him to relax. Allah will do the best for him," said Dutt's Anthony Kaun Hai? co-star Arshad Warsi.

He added, "Sanju has gone through a lot of pain in his life. He is a softhearted person, always ready to help people. He cancelled the film promotions of Anthony Kaun Hai? as any interaction with media would have been troublesome."

We're with you: Arshad Warsi and Sanjay Gupta

No worries

A source known to the actor said, "Sanju's fear stems more out of the anxiety of his close friends and family members who are worried about the verdict. That is making him anxious."

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, who is one of Dutt's closest friends, denied any changes in Dutt's attitude. "Sanju is not the partying type. I am more the partying type and keep dragging him to parties and events. His close friends and family members are tense about the verdict as we all love him so much and want to know what happens.

Sanju is calm as he knows he has done no wrong. He has nothing to worry about. Sanju has become a recluse all of a sudden." But this year, Dutt was so nervous about the verdict that he even cancelled his 47th birthday party, which he planned to celebrate in a grand manner.

Gupta denied it, saying, "There were no such plans. We had decided to chill at home with family and friends. For the last few years, Sanju hasn't been celebrating in a grand manner. He had been shooting for Zinda and Dus."

Dutt and Gupta jointly own a production company White Feather Films. Currently, they are producing and shooting for Shootout At Lokhandwala.

Personal problems

A former student and Dutt's colleague from the Bombay Chapter of St Lawrence, who did not wish to be named, told MiD DAY that Dutt was not keen on attending the reunion as he was stressed about the judgment day.

Sanjeev Saran Mehra, former student and the organiser of the St Lawrence reunion said Dutt had bailed out of the reunion due to personal reasons, though he had always been a regular at these events. Despite repeated attempts, Dutt was unavailable for comment.

Parties Sanju skipped or did not have Week-long film promotions and press interviews for Anthony Kaun Hai? Private screening of Anthony Kaun Hai? July 29 birthday bash, which is generally organised in hotels with the media present School reunion of St Lawrence School at ITC Grant Central (Parel) on August 5

Case against Sanjay Dutt In the 1993 bomb blast case, actor Sanjay Dutt is charged with possessing an AK-56 rifle and later destroying it with the help of his friends.