On April 24, Sanjay Dutt, Aksha Kamboj, Executive Chairperson of Aspect Global (Aspect Entertainment), Subhash Ghai and Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios announced Khalnayak Returns at an event in Mumbai. The intro teaser of Khalnayak Returns was unveiled at this event, and it received a thunderous response. Sanjay Dutt looked dashing, and using the enduring Khalnayak theme added to the joy. Since Subhash Ghai had directed the unique Khalnayak (1993), it was widely assumed that the Showman would return to helm Khalnayak Returns as well. Soon, Subhash Ghai confessed that he won’t be donning the director’s hat again.
SCOOP: Sanjay Dutt asks Rajkumar Santoshi to direct Khalnayak Returns; veteran filmmaker politely declines the offer
A source told Bollywood Hungama, “Sanjay Dutt was keen that Rajkumar Santoshi should direct Khalnayak Returns. He felt that Raj ji has an understanding of business cinema and would find a way to do justice. Furthermore, the 2 powerhouse, talented individuals have never worked together. Hence, Sanjay Dutt felt that it will be great to finally join hands with Rajkumar Santoshi, that too for a special project. Accordingly, he met the director and offered him the film.”
The source continued, “Nevertheless, Rajkumar Santoshi politely and respectfully declined the offer. He’s currently busy providing final touches to his film Lahore 1947, starring Sunny Deol. He’s also written scripts that he desires to pitch to Sunny in addition to Aamir Khan. Hence, he told Sanjay Dutt that he doesn’t have the time to direct Khalnayak Returns.”
The source added, “Nevertheless, Rajkumar Santoshi was touched by Sanjay Dutt’s gesture. He wished him all the perfect and appreciated his look and swag within the intro teaser. Meanwhile, Sanju sir is now considering other filmmakers to direct Khalnayak Returns.”
On the Khalnayak Returns event, Sanjay Dutt revealed, “I got the thought of constructing Khalnayak part 2 in jail (smiles). I used to play music contained in the prison. The inmates used to insist only on the songs of Khalnayak. I asked them, ‘Agar Khalnayak phir se banaye, toh kaun dekhna chahega?’. All 4000 prisoners said in unison that they’d like to see it. I told them, ‘Send me a one-pager idea of the film’. It took me plenty of time to read 4000 pages! One among the ideas that I got appealed to me.”
Also Read: Sanjay Dutt reveals that the spark for Khalnayak Returns got here in jail: “I asked 4000 inmates to send me one-pager ideas”; reveals golden advice given to him by a hawaldar: “The day you stop hoping, you won’t even realize how time will fly in jail”
More Pages: Khalnayak Returns Box Office Collection
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