Top Bollywood star’s drug habit got him removed from movie; even father pleaded for another chance

Sanjay Dutt’s early battle with drug addiction not solely disrupted his private life but additionally had a direct affect on his skilled journey. One main turning level got here throughout the making of Yudh (1985), when filmmaker Rajiv Rai made the tough determination to take away him from the movie. Rai opened up about this difficult interval and the way it strained his friendship with the actor.

Rajiv Rai, recognized for steering hit movies like Tridev and Mohra, revealed in latest interview with Siddharth Kannan that he and Sanjay Dutt had been as soon as extraordinarily shut. The 2 had already accomplished 14 reels of capturing for Yudh, and Rai described these days as among the better of his life. Nevertheless, Sanjay’s worsening drug dependency raised considerations in regards to the movie’s future. Rai finally determined to recast the position, bringing in Anil Kapoor and Jackie Shroff to exchange Dutt.

Director’s Powerful name and Private Value

Rai defined that his determination stemmed from real concern for Dutt’s well being and well-being. Sanjay was ultimately despatched to rehab in Florida. “Sanju was not properly, he wanted assist,” Rai stated within the interview, including that he even reached out to Sanjay’s father, the legendary Sunil Dutt, to debate the matter. Regardless of deep private ties between their households — Rai’s father, producer Gulshan Rai, had even issued Sunil Dutt his first cheque — the choice to let Sanjay go was ultimate.

Sunil Dutt, nonetheless, was deeply upset. He repeatedly urged Rajiv and Gulshan Rai to rethink. In keeping with Rajiv, “Dutt saab saved asking me to provide Sanju one other likelihood,” however the filmmakers had been agency. Delaying the movie wasn’t an choice, and Rai believed the transfer would possibly function the wake-up name Sanjay wanted.

“It Was For His Personal Good”

Wanting again, Rai stated the scenario prompted emotional turmoil for everybody concerned. He admitted that he has no bitterness and nonetheless considers Sanjay a buddy. “Issues didn’t work out professionally between me and Sanju, and it was for his personal good,” he mirrored. Whether or not Sanjay felt betrayed or grateful, Rai stated they by no means spoke about it after the incident, although he suspects each father and son had been upset in him.The director additionally shared how shut the households had been — recalling being in New York when Sanjay’s mom, Nargis, was present process remedy for most cancers. Regardless of their falling out, he tried to method Dutt once more years later for Tridev, hoping to forged him in a task ultimately performed by Naseeruddin Shah. However by then, the harm appeared to have left a lingering discomfort between them.Sanjay Dutt ultimately returned from rehab and resumed his movie profession, although additional struggles awaited him — together with authorized bother linked to the 1993 Bombay blasts and a most cancers analysis years later. His life story, together with this tumultuous section, was partly depicted within the 2018 biopic Sanju, starring Ranbir Kapoor.