The real status of Sanjay Dutt’s pending films

Recently it was reported that Sanjay Dutt is booked till 2011 with multiple projects in floors. Understandably so since he is the only veteran star from the generation of Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Sunny Deol and Mithun Chakraborty, Read More">who continues to have a huge fan following and can get audiences rooting for him if heRead More

Recently it was reported that Sanjay Dutt is booked till 2011 with multiple projects in floors. Understandably so since he is the only veteran star from the generation of Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Sunny Deol and Mithun Chakraborty, who continues to have a huge fan following and can get audiences rooting for him if he really wishes so.

However, what also remains true is the fact that he is only star amidst other major actors who has the biggest line up of pending/stuck/almost shelved projects up his plate.

The situation today is that Sanju baba has close to a dozen odd projects that are still waiting to reach the deadline in spite of their target release timeline left behind long back.

Joginder Tuteja brings to you the status of where each of these films stand, what their makers have to say, whether these films will ever see the light of the day and if so, then when?

Film: Mr. Fraud

Original plan for release: 2006

Producer: Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd

Director: Abbas -Mustan

Co-stars: Ajay Devgan, Bipasha Basu, Tanushree Datta

Flashback

This Abbas-Mustan directed comedy had a fruitful London schedule way back in 2006. However, Sanjay Dutt's personal problems resulted in any further shoot being delayed while there were also hassles around combination dates of all the stars (Ajay Devgn, Bipasha Basu, Tanushree Dutta) as well. Close to 70% of the film was already canned but there was no subsequent progress. Even when Sanjay Dutt resumed work a few months later, there were no signs of revival of Mr. Fraud. Meanwhile, producers Shree Ashtavinayak went ahead and completed Kidnap and Blue with Sanjay Dutt.

Current state

As per Dhaval Mehta of Shree Ashtavinayak, the film can't yet be classified as 'shelved'. Even though there hasn't been any active shooting for the film during last couple of years (the same time period where Abbas-Mustan went ahead and finished three films - Naqaab, Race and Life Partner), Mehta still believes that the film may eventually see the light of the day.

"As of now, Mr. Fraud is on hold. Yes, the film's shoot had come to a halt a couple of years back, post which Sanjay Dutt wasn't available", says Mehta. However, Sanjay Dutt has been seen in a dozen odd movies during last three years. Why couldn't he spare time for Mr. Fraud? "Well, it's not just him in the movie. There are other big names like director duo of Abbas and Mustan, Ajay Devgn and Bipasha Basu involved. It is tough to get the combination dates of all", he defends.

Abbas-Mustan though threw the challenge back to Mehtas when questioned about the delay in film's shoot. "Please ask the producers about this. After the release of Race, we were ready to get started any time that they would have wanted. We have our dates available since after Race, we didn't have anything else on floors", says Abbas.

Final verdict: Uncertain

Film: Alibaug Original plan for release: 2007 Producer: White Feather Films Director: Sanjay Gupta Co-stars: Rohit Roy, Sophie Choudry, Sanjay Suri Flashback Supposed to be a biographic tale, Alibaug started off as a small budget film in 2006. Boasting of an ensemble cast mostly made of TV actors, Read More">the film had to face rough weatherRead More

Film: Alibaug

Original plan for release: 2007

Producer: White Feather Films

Director: Sanjay Gupta

Co-stars: Rohit Roy, Sophie Choudry, Sanjay Suri

Flashback

Supposed to be a biographic tale, Alibaug started off as a small budget film in 2006. Boasting of an ensemble cast mostly made of TV actors, the film had to face rough weather when cracks started appearing in Sanjay Dutt-Sanjay Gupta relationship. The film's shooting was kept on hold for some time and there were also frequent change in cast. Though entire 2007 went into speculations around Sanjay Dutt's presence in the film, in mid-2008 it was formally announced that Irrfan Khan had replaced him.

Current state

Though Irrfan Khan came in as Sanjay Dutt's replacement, there is still an element of uncertainty around the film. Sanjay Gupta has gone ahead and released another production of his - Acid Factory. His other offbeat productions like Pankh and The Great Indian Butterfly also arrived a couple of weeks back.

Final verdict: Uncertain

The rest

Other than these aforementioned films which had gone on floors and had Sanjay Dutt shooting for them, there are also quite a few other projects that had been green lighted once with him in the lead. However, they are nowhere in the making currently.

- The promo of Munnabhai Chale Amerika was launched with much fanfare close to 3 years back but director Rajkumar Hirani went ahead and completed 3 Idiots instead. It is expected though that the next in the series of Munnabhai will go on floors in 2010

- A film called Unusual Love Story was launched way back in 2006 but nothing is known about it today. Supposed to be directed by Mahesh Manjrekar, who gave Sanjay one of his most memorable roles ever in Vaastav, the film was rumoured to star Anil Kapoor, Arshad Warsi and Celina Jaitly alongside Sanjay Dutt.

- Producer-director Shakeel Noorani, who had last made a film a decade back (Joru Ka Ghulam), had announced Jaan Ki Baazi with Sanjay Dutt, Nauheed Cyrusi, Aashish Vidyarthi and Danny Denzongpa. The film hasn't gone beyond the announcement stage while Noorani too hasn't embarked on anything newer.

- Sanjay Dutt had consented to appear in a special appearance in Shyam Benegal directed Chamki Chameli. However, neither has the film moved an inch since its first poster was revealed, nor is there any further indication that Dutt would be working in the film.

- It was way back in April 2008 that a film called 21 Battle of Saragarhi - From Ashes to Glory was announced with Dutt in the lead. Arriving under the banner of Sanjay Dutt Productions and G. S. Entertainment, the film was meant to be directed by Rohit Jugraj (James, Superstar). Not a single shot has been canned for the film so far.

- Sanjay Dutt was supposed to be playing the role of a gang-lord in Bunty Walia's Gangs of London. The debut directorial effort of Bunty's brother Jaspreet, the film was meant to go on floors on 2009. However, there hasn't been much progress since the news first came out in early 2008.

In the pipeline

As of now, there are only two confirmed projects in which Sanjay Dutt would be seen in 2010. While one is Anees Bazmee directed No Problem (where he also has Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, Kangna Ranaut and Neetu Chandra for company), another is Mani Shankar directed Knock Out which brings him back with the maker of Rudraksh. He is also said to have consented to do Kaizad Boom Gustaad's Baba while Vivek Agnihotri too has Sanjay Dutt in mind for epical drama Freedom.

Film: Lamhaa Original plan for release: 2009 Producer: Bunty Walia, Jaspreet Singh Walia Director: Rahul Dholakia Co-stars: Bipasha Basu, Kunal Kapoor Flashback An espionage thriller based on terrorism in Kashmir, Lamhaa had a troubled beginning in its very first schedule (during late 2008) in the state when Bipasha Basu abruptly returned to Mumbai. Later, Read More">thereRead More

Film: Lamhaa

Original plan for release: 2009

Producer: Bunty Walia, Jaspreet Singh Walia

Director: Rahul Dholakia

Co-stars: Bipasha Basu, Kunal Kapoor

Flashback

An espionage thriller based on terrorism in Kashmir, Lamhaa had a troubled beginning in its very first schedule (during late 2008) in the state when Bipasha Basu abruptly returned to Mumbai. Later, there were also rumours that Sanjay Dutt wasn't too happy with the shoot. The producers too were said to be in deep financial trouble due to which Lamhaa wasn't quite progressing fast. Worse, there was also a situation when the film wasn't getting the best deal when made available for selling. Result? The film couldn't quite make it to the 2009 deadline.

Current state

"Well, to disappoint all the detractors of Lamhaa, the film is very much on with the entire principal shooting completed quite some time back. I am almost done with the film's edit and then we head straight into dubbing", says Rahul Dholakia who shot to fame with his award winning feature film Parzania, "We decided not to hurry up on the post due to the producers' v/s multiplex stand off last year. Bunty (Walia) suggested was that we should delay the release and this is we also took it a little easy."

He refuses to accuse Sanjay Dutt of making unreasonable demands around the alleged change in script. "It's all stupid and baseless talk", fumes Rahul, "Sanjay has not even seen the film and he is least interfering. He being unhappy with Lamhaa was a strange controversy that came out of nowhere. We all are quite happy about the film and are now firming up plans for release this year."

He is sure though that he doesn't want Lamhaa to come along with multiple films. "A film like this needs a solo slot. Yes, the film hasn't been sold yet but that's not because of lack of buyers. Instead, the makers have a definite strategy in mind and they want to make a right choice."

Final verdict: July 2010 release

Film: Chatur Singh Two Star Original plan for release: 2009 Producer: Mohamed Aslam Director: Ajay Chandok Co-stars: Ameesha, Suresh Menon, Anupam Kher Flashback The film was announced in 2007 but it was only in the summer of 2008 that the first schedule of this comic caper was shot. Later, Read More">a long schedule was held inRead More

Film: Chatur Singh Two Star

Original plan for release: 2009

Producer: Mohamed Aslam

Director: Ajay Chandok

Co-stars: Ameesha, Suresh Menon, Anupam Kher

Flashback

The film was announced in 2007 but it was only in the summer of 2008 that the first schedule of this comic caper was shot. Later, a long schedule was held in Cape Town as a result of which the film was 90% complete in early 2009. Only a couple of songs were left to be shot in India, post which there was plan for the film's release in the summer of 2009.

Current state

"That was the earlier plan but then there has been so much rush throughout the second half of 2009", says Ajay Chandok who has earlier worked with Sanjay Dutt in Nehlla Pe Dehlla, "We decided for a December release for the film but with such a huge flow of movies, we have decided to move to the beginning of 2010. With so much of rush around, where do you park your car? It's better to come when there is a safe lane for everyone. In fact we have also shot for the pending songs and are already into the post production of the film."

He also dismisses the theory around the film being shelved. "You say that a film is shelved when it is 20% - 30% - 40% complete but is subsequently halted. In case of Chatur Singh Two Star, we are 100% through with the film's principal shoot, so where is the question of it being shelved?"

Final verdict: Release in 2010

Film: Bihaad Original plan for release: 2008 Original producers: Ajanta Arts, G S Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., K Sera Sera Director: Milan Luthria Co-stars: Ajay Devgan, Read More">Vidya Balan Flashback Bihaad was announced with much fanfare 2 years back since it was also meant to be the comeback project of Late Sunil Dutt’s banner Ajanta Arts. BasedRead More

Film: Bihaad

Original plan for release: 2008

Original producers: Ajanta Arts, G S Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., K Sera Sera

Director: Milan Luthria

Co-stars: Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan

Flashback

Bihaad was announced with much fanfare 2 years back since it was also meant to be the comeback project of Late Sunil Dutt's banner Ajanta Arts. Based on a true story, this action drama was also supposed to feature Sanjay Dutt with Ajay Devgn, just like in case of Mr. Fraud. Also, it would have meant yet another outing for director Milan Luthria and Ajay after Kachche Dhaage and Chori Chori. However, the film didn't go beyond the announcement stage (in 2007), was subsequently revived (in 2008) but could never eventually come on floors. Meanwhile, Milan began work on Once Upon A Time In Mumbai with Ajay.

Current state

"The film hasn't been shelved and is definitely on. Yes, we were supposed to start in 2007 but then some actors were not available then due to which we had to push the film to 2008", says Milan Luthria who also blames recession as the prime reason behind the project being on hold, "Bihaad is a large scale film and due to the period of recession in 2008, we had to further keep it on hold. Since the market has turned stronger today, the film is being revived. Also, the producers have changed and now it arrives solely under the banner of Sanjay Dutt Productions."

He would now begin shooting the film in the winter of 2010. "The film's plot is such that it has to be shot during winters. We couldn't shoot the film in last winter since I was occupied with Once Upon A Time In Mumbai. But yes, late this year we should definitely set the ball rolling", he confirms.

Final verdict: 2011 release (probable)