Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, known for Kaante and Shootout at Wadala, dies at 59

Mumbai: Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, best known for directing crime dramas and action thrillers such as Kaante, Shootout at Wadala, Jazbaa and Kaabil, died at his Mumbai residence. He was 59.

According to preliminary information, Gupta is believed to have suffered a fall in his bathroom on Thursday night. The incident reportedly went unnoticed until Friday morning. Versova police have registered an accidental death report and are investigating the circumstances. Officers said no evidence of foul play has been found so far.

Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit confirmed the news in a social media post, saying Gupta died after a head injury at home. “It is really shocking and sad. I have just received the news that our dear friend and ace director Sanjay Gupta is no more,” Pandit wrote, describing him as a passionate filmmaker and a wonderful storyteller.

Gupta began his career as a director with Aatish: Feel The Fire in 1994. His major breakthrough came with Kaante in 2002, which featured Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Lucky Ali and Mahesh Manjrekar, and established him in the gangster-thriller space.

His career later went through a difficult phase following his fallout with Sanjay Dutt. Gupta had said that nearly 90 per cent of the film industry was unwilling to work with him during that period, although he clarified that Dutt himself had never asked anyone to boycott him. He said he had almost quit filmmaking and briefly worked at a hotel in Khandala.

Gupta returned to direction with Shootout at Wadala in 2013, working with John Abraham and Anil Kapoor. He later directed Jazbaa in 2015 and Kaabil in 2017, followed by Mumbai Saga, Visfot and The Miranda Brothers.

He is survived by his wife, Anu Lekhi. The two had earlier divorced before remarrying.