Sanjay Gupta once recalled getting threats from gangster Chhota Rajan over an actor's role in Ram Shastra. The late filmmaker shared the bizarre ordeal in an old chat with author S. Hussain Zaidi. A clip of that talk has resurfaced online after his death.
It began with a phone call from someone who went by Nana. Gupta had no clue who he was dealing with and thought someone was playing a prank. When the caller said he was Chhota Rajan, the director gave a cheeky reply.
He called himself Bada Rajan, not aware that the name belonged to someone the gangster held dear. Bada Rajan had been his guide in the crime world, and his death had hit him hard. The joke went down badly, and the caller began to swear at Gupta.
Gupta ended the call, but the threat soon became real to him. Word reached him that men had arrived in a taxi near his home. Scared for his safety, he rang actor Sanjay Dutt and asked for help.
Dutt had legal woes of his own and was out on bail. Still, he arranged for a vehicle used by his father, politician Sunil Dutt, to collect Gupta. A jeep came along as well.
The filmmaker lived on the ground floor, which made his exit a bit easier. He rushed into the waiting car through its rear door and left for Dutt's house.
Even there, neither man knew quite what to do. Then Aditya Pancholi called and said he was coming over. When he arrived, he hugged Gupta and apologized, admitting that he had played a part in the trouble.
Here's where the film dispute came in. Pancholi had been drinking with a friend and complained that his character in Ram Shastra lacked a strong enough role. He had wished someone could pressure Gupta to improve his part.
According to Pancholi's account, he had not made a direct request to the gangster. But his complaint had reached the wrong ears, and Gupta had ended up facing threats.
Gupta wanted Pancholi to help clear up the mess. A phone call was arranged, giving the director a chance to speak with Rajan and apologize for the earlier exchange.
During that talk, the gangster eased off but made one request. He wanted Pancholi to have a better part in the movie. Gupta felt the actor already had a decent role, yet Rajan pressed him to make whatever changes he could.
After that, Rajan reportedly assured Gupta that he had no further reason to worry about threats from his side.
Gupta's death has brought fresh attention to the tale. His funeral took place at Pawan Hans Crematorium, where Abhishek Bachchan, Rakesh Roshan, Fardeen Khan, and Manoj Bajpayee joined other film figures to pay their respects.
Rajat Bedi, Ashoke Pandit, Milap Zaveri, Rohit Roy, Ronit Roy, and Gulshan Grover were also among those who attended.
It began with a phone call from someone who went by Nana. Gupta had no clue who he was dealing with and thought someone was playing a prank. When the caller said he was Chhota Rajan, the director gave a cheeky reply.
He called himself Bada Rajan, not aware that the name belonged to someone the gangster held dear. Bada Rajan had been his guide in the crime world, and his death had hit him hard. The joke went down badly, and the caller began to swear at Gupta.
Gupta ended the call, but the threat soon became real to him. Word reached him that men had arrived in a taxi near his home. Scared for his safety, he rang actor Sanjay Dutt and asked for help.
Dutt had legal woes of his own and was out on bail. Still, he arranged for a vehicle used by his father, politician Sunil Dutt, to collect Gupta. A jeep came along as well.
The filmmaker lived on the ground floor, which made his exit a bit easier. He rushed into the waiting car through its rear door and left for Dutt's house.
Even there, neither man knew quite what to do. Then Aditya Pancholi called and said he was coming over. When he arrived, he hugged Gupta and apologized, admitting that he had played a part in the trouble.
Here's where the film dispute came in. Pancholi had been drinking with a friend and complained that his character in Ram Shastra lacked a strong enough role. He had wished someone could pressure Gupta to improve his part.
According to Pancholi's account, he had not made a direct request to the gangster. But his complaint had reached the wrong ears, and Gupta had ended up facing threats.
Gupta wanted Pancholi to help clear up the mess. A phone call was arranged, giving the director a chance to speak with Rajan and apologize for the earlier exchange.
During that talk, the gangster eased off but made one request. He wanted Pancholi to have a better part in the movie. Gupta felt the actor already had a decent role, yet Rajan pressed him to make whatever changes he could.
After that, Rajan reportedly assured Gupta that he had no further reason to worry about threats from his side.
Gupta's death has brought fresh attention to the tale. His funeral took place at Pawan Hans Crematorium, where Abhishek Bachchan, Rakesh Roshan, Fardeen Khan, and Manoj Bajpayee joined other film figures to pay their respects.
Rajat Bedi, Ashoke Pandit, Milap Zaveri, Rohit Roy, Ronit Roy, and Gulshan Grover were also among those who attended.
