Rs. 20 crore deal?

Multi-crore deals are ‘in’ these days and almost every notable production house is into signing actors/directors for multi-film assignments.

The latest khabar is, Sanjay Dutt has inked a 3-film deal with producer-friend Bunty Walia. The films are LAMHAA, to be directed by Rahul Dholakia, JUST PUNJABI, to be directed by producer turned director Jaspreet Singh Walia and GANGS OF LONDON, to be directed by ad film maker Shamin Desai. The three films will go on floors between 2008 – 2010. Reportedly, Dutt will be paid Rs. 20 crores + for this 3-film deal.

“The amount is undisclosable,” Bunty Walia informs me. Meanwhile, the balance star cast is under finalization.

Support to Sanjay Dutt : Congress Divided

Congress seems to be speaking in different voices on the Sanjay Dutt issue out of its political compulsions.

While the official party position continues to steer clear of the knotty issues concerning the Bollywood actor's conviction by a Tada court and maintains certain distance from him, two ministers have gone gung-ho in lionising Sanjay and drumming up support for him.

"We are concerned about Sanjay but a political party cannot do anything about such a case; we must have confidence in the legal system," Congress spokesman Abhishek Singhvi said on Monday reiterating the party position.

This seemingly terse and detached statement was purported to be the party stand on the illegal possession of arms case resulting in a six-year jail term for Sanjay. In taking a diagonally opposite view, minister for science and technology Kapil Sibal urged Congressmen to rally behind the Dutt family in the hour of crisis.

"Congress should stand by the Dutts because of the enormous contributions made by them," Sibal said. He, in fact, assailed former Attorney General Soli Sorabjee for questioning his stand and asking him not to "send a message" during the pendency of the case.

Incensed by Sorabjee's remarks, Sibal accused him of maintaining silence on the Ayodhya demolition issue. "He never said it was improper for the law minister (in the NDA government) to give certificates of innocence to L K Advani, M M Joshi and Uma Bharati," Sibal said.

He also wondered why Sorabjee had "kept quiet" on the Gujarat riots. "What happened to his moral streak and righteousness when Gujarat was convulsed by riots?" Sibal asked.

Moving even a step further, his cabinet colleague P R Dasmunsi said that Sanjay Dutt inspired the younger generation. Seen in the context of such strong assertions, the restrained statement of the official party spokesman appears to be intended to serve a purpose.

As a political party, Congress seems reluctant to side with the actor known for his association with the underworld at one point in his career and tried and convicted in a case linked to the 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai. Perhaps the party is apprehensive of evoking a middle-class backlash by openly siding with Sanjay. Congress insiders admit that taking a more sympathetic stand would have paved the way for demands for support for every partyman getting caught in a similar legal tangle.

Film Industry cancels all celebrations

It has been a time of extreme stress for the Indian entertainment industry. While one of Sanjay Dutt's unreleased films Indra Kumar's comedy Dhamaal is dubbed and all set for release, the future of his other projects including his friend Sanjay Gupta's Alibaug which Dutt showed for about a week before abandoning , stands in severe jeopardy.

As for Raj Kumar Hirani whose Munnabhai brand cannot stand on its own without Dutt's presence, he seems to have gone into a shell. The third part of the ongoing Munnabhai series entitled Munnabhai Chale Amrika now stands suspended, unless producer Vinod Chopra decides to make it with another actor in the lead.

Says a source, "That's quite unlikely because Vinod is extremely emotional about Sanju Dutt. They've worked together in Mission Kashmir .And Sanju has gone on record to say he'd always work for Vinod without asking about his role."

However a message sent from Raj Kumar Hirani's cellphone by his assistant says, "Mr Hirani wouldn't like to speak on Sanjay Dutt's verdict or other issues. Hope you'll understand."

Silence may be golden. But not too many of Hirani's colleagues in the industry are adopting that method of diplomatic reticence which is so characteristic of the wary industry. There's vocal outrage in the industry. Everyone seems to feel Sanjay Dutt has suffered enough. His close buddies like Suniel Shetty and Sanjay Gupta have for now abandoned work to chalk out a future plan of action to relieve Dutt's legal pressure. Producers who have incomplete films on hand say they are ready to wait for as long as it takes for Dutt to come out of jail.

A pall of gloom now shrouds the industry. No one is in the mood for celebrations. Anil Kapoor has never shared a very warm relationship with Dutt. Nevertheless he cancelled the Mumbai premiere of his prestigious Gandhi My Father.

Says Kapoor, "Suddenly my excitement about my film went down. I did hold a a pre-release screening of Gandhi My Father for close friends. But there was no proper premiere."

Ravi Chopra had planned a lavish premiere for the colorized revival of his father's classic Naya Daur along with the release of a book celebrating 58 years of the banner B.R.Films .

Says Ravi, "It's unfortunate that we had to cancel our Naya Daur premiere. It was going to be attended by the film's lead pair Dilip Kumar and Vyanjanthimala. But Sanjay Dutt's verdict cast a pall of gloom in the industry. The book The BR Story which won't be for commercial sale but a momento for everyone associated with this banner will now be released in a small function whenever the time seems right."

Anubhav Sinha who cancelled the premier of his lavish Cash is heartbroken. "I couldn't have made Dus without Sanju's support. He got me all the big stars from Suniel Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan to Shilpa Shetty . Nobody would've worked with a small director like me if it wasn't for Sanju. When I heard the verdict I just lost my zest for the release of Cash. So much suffering for Sanju. Not fair."

Sinha echoes the entire entertainment industry's sentiments.

No parties without Sanjay Dutt

It has been a time of extreme stress for the Indian entertainment industry. While one of Sanjay Dutt's unreleased films Indra Kumar's comedy Dhamaal is dubbed and all set for release, the future of his other projects including his friend Sanjay Gupta's Alibaug which Dutt showed for about a week before abandoning, stands in severe jeopardy.

As for Raj Kumar Hirani whose Munnabhai brand cannot stand on its own without Dutt's presence, he seems to have gone into a shell. The third part of the ongoing Munnabhai series entitled Munnabhai Chale Amrika now stands suspended, unless producer Vinod Chopra decides to make it with another actor in the lead.

Says a source, "That's quite unlikely because Vinod is extremely emotional about Sanju Dutt. They've worked together in Mission Kashmir. And Sanju has gone on record to say he'd always work for Vinod without asking about his role."

However a message sent from Raj Kumar Hirani's cellphone by his assistant says, "Mr Hirani wouldn't like to speak on Sanjay Dutt's verdict or other issues. Hope you'll understand."

Silence may be golden. But not too many of Hirani's colleagues in the industry are adopting that method of diplomatic reticence which is so characteristic of the wary industry. There's vocal outrage in the industry.

Everyone seems to feel Sanjay Dutt has suffered enough. His close buddies like Suniel Shetty and Sanjay Gupta have for now abandoned work to chalk out a future plan of action to relieve Dutt's legal pressure.

Producers who have incomplete films on hand say they are ready to wait for as long as it takes for Dutt to come out of jail.

A pall of gloom now shrouds the industry. No one is in the mood for celebrations.

Anil Kapoor has never shared a very warm relationship with Dutt. Nevertheless he cancelled the Mumbai premiere of his prestigious Gandhi My Father.

Says Kapoor, "Suddenly my excitement about my film went down. I did hold a a pre-release screening of Gandhi My Father for close friends. But there was no proper premiere."

Ravi Chopra had planned a lavish premiere for the colorized revival of his father's classic Naya Daur along with the release of a book celebrating 58 years of the banner B.R.Films.

Says Ravi, "It's unfortunate that we had to cancel our Naya Daur premiere. It was going to be attended by the film's lead pair Dilip Kumar and Vyanjanthimala. But Sanjay Dutt's verdict cast a pall of gloom in the industry.

The book The BR Story which won't be for commercial sale but a momento for everyone associated with this banner will now be released in a small function whenever the time seems right."

Anubhav Sinha who cancelled the premier of his lavish Cash is heartbroken. "I couldn't have made Dus without Sanju's support. He got me all the big stars from Suniel Shetty and Abhishek Bachchan to Shilpa Shetty.

Nobody would've worked with a small director like me if it wasn't for Sanju. When I heard the verdict I just lost my zest for the release of Cash. So much suffering for Sanju. Not fair."

Sinha echoes the entire entertainment industry's sentiments.

Sanjay Dutt shifted to Yeravada Central Jail in Pune

Sanjay Dutt has been shifted to Yeravada Central Jail in Pune on Thursday night. Dutt was sentenced for 6 years rigorous imprisonment. Yerwada Jail is on the outskirts of the city, where Mahatma Gandhi was imprisoned during freedom struggle days.

Dutt was taken to the Arthur Road Jail immediately after the verdict two days back, but authorities submitted a report that cited several reasons why he could not be kept at Arthur Road Jail. He was shifted to the Yeravada Jail in Pune from Mumbai under tight security after he withdrew his application to be kept in a prison in the state capital.

According to the jail official, Dutt will be in a separate high-security egg-shaped cell. He went through a medical check-up soon after his arrival. Home food will not be provided to him and he has to wear prisoner's clothes.

Snippet : Sanjay Dutt meets Abu Salem in jail

Sanjay Dutt reportedly met with Abu Salem at breakfast in Arthur road jail on Thursday morning.

The high security Arthur Road Jail became the meeting ground for two men separated by 14 years of history.

Sources say the two men chatted and exchanged notes perhaps on the years gone past.

This isn't the first meeting between the two men post the serial blasts.

Soon after Salem was brought to India, the two came face to face inside the TADA court, but then they didn't even exchange a glance.

Then the speculation was the Salem's return could make Dutt's case difficult in court.

Now with six years hanging over Dutt's head the ice seems to have broken.

Jail ki Tension Mat Le, Mamu!

It was a long night for Sanjay Dutt but finally there was some smile on imprisoned Bollywood star's face today when he saw his sister Congress MP Priya Dutt, who visited him at the Arthur Road Jail.

Sources said Sanjay's face lit up when he met Priya.

Meanwhile, an inmate who was released this evening, informed that Sanjay did not eat anything during the first night in jail.

''He was offered an apple by an inmate, which he reluctantly accepted but hardly ate. Even today, when he was given lunch, he passed it on to his co-convict Yusuf Nalwalla, who has been awarded five years sentence in the same case,'' the inmate said.

This was, however, denied by jail authorities who said the actor had his lunch with Praveen Mahajan, charged with allegedly murdering his brother and senior BJP leader Pramod Mahajan last year.

Meanwhile, a restless Sanju who can’t stay without chewing gutkha for more than a few hours, became restless without it, which even got his blood pressure low.

But Priya Dutt came to his recue and arrived at the jail, armed with a dozen packets of his favourite gutkha. Of course, her brother was overjoyed. A doctor at the jail said Dutt’s blood pressure problems were cured after he chewed on the gutkha.

The inmate said Sanjay was quite gloomy and spent the entire night crying in his cell and jailmates mocking him by mouthing his dialogues didn’t help either.

“Mamu, smile kar… tension mat le” mocked the three-dozen prisoners in his barrack, asking him to stop worrying and sobbing.

If he would even look at them, they would ask him, ‘Wahaan kyon baitha hai yaar, apne saath aa naa.’” However, there are bars between Dutt’s cell and the Buddha-barrack hall, hence nobody could touch Dutt, only tease him from a distance.

Sanjay has been lodged in a 90-sq feet room in the ''buddha barrack'' (cell for aged inmates) of the prison.

He will be shifted to Pune's Yerawada jail on Friday, according to his lawyer Satish Maneshide.

When will Sanju's pain end?

Abhishek Bachchan: 'This is very upsetting"

Priyanka Chopra: "I'm shocked and upset. I wish him and his family strength and courage. I'm sure the film fraternity will stand by him in every way possible. He's a wonderful person. And since he has already served 16 months I'm confident the Supreme Court will be lenient. I wish all the best."

Bipasha Basu: "I'm shocked. I feel very sad. He has suffered enough. His suffering should've stopped by now. All his friends feel helpless. No one can do anything.

Raveena Tandon: "This is too shocking. I've known him for years. And he's the most lovable person I've met. He's a victim of circumstances and follies. The law is equal for all. And we respect the country's laws. But six years seems a bit harsh, considering the kind of person Sanju is. My family and I stand by the Dutts in their moment of crisis. And I really mean it."

Preity Zinta: "I'm deeply saddened by this verdict. In my heart I'm saying a prayer and I'm looking above for an end to Sanju's problems. Sanju made a mistake. But he is not a bad guy. In fact he's a terrific guy.

Anil Kapoor: "I'm sad and shocked"

Mahesh Bhatt: "I get the feeling of déjà vu. It's like a recurring nightmare which just won't go away."

Sohail Khan: "I'm speechless. This is just not expected."

Kangana Ranaut: "It's heartbreaking. Sanjay Dutt is no threat to society. So I wonder why he needs to be kept behind bars! When he has long ago realized his mistake why such harsh punishment? Why six years? It's so painful."

Manoj Bajpai: "I'm nobody to question the vedict. And I'm too saddened by it to even talk about it. I hope he gets bail at the earliest. My entire family is shocked. We're all praying for him. I admire the man a lot. May God bless him."

Urmila Matondkar: "This is extremely sad and deeply saddening."

Madhur Bhandarkar: "I can't get over the enormity of the news! The whole film fraternity is in a state of shock. My heartfelt sympathies and support for the Dutt family.

Suneel Darshan: "While I have absolute faith and respect in the court's decision. I feel terribly sorry for Sanjay's plight. As a member of the film fraternity I'd like to express solidarity with his family through these testing times. In the meanwhile for the industry his absence will cause a tremendous loss as he had emerged as one of our most versatile actors. I feel a great concern for the films that would get stranded.

Upen Patel: "I feel sad. But he has been through so much. I'm sure he'll come out of this stronger. He's such a wonderful humanbeing. I was lucky to have him take me under his wings and make me his gym partner."

Vikram Bhatt: "Sanjay's sentence is very depressing. I can't comment on the intricacies of the law. But as a humanbeing I feel he has suffered enough. He's not a criminal. Just a man who made a silly mistake in troubled times when it was hard to keep one's value judgement clear."

Vipul Shah: "Everyone knows he did it purely to protect his family. So to me Sanjay Dutt is a good man. At the same time according to the law his conduct was incorrect. So this was I guess, inevitable. Sanjay Dutt exemplifies that plight that awaits 'powerful' people who get into trouble.

I feel the sentence is a little harsh. The court didn't consider all those days when he kept missing his shooting to go to courts and police stations. If the court had considered that perhaps the verdict would've seemed less harsh."

David Dhawan: "Me and my wife Laali were with Sanju on his birthday on Sunday (July 29). We had so much fun. We were so sure that he'd come out of this. Little did we know what awaited Sanju two days later…Life's not fair, yaar! Sanju is God's child. Always ready with a smile to help everyone, me included.

Do you know he got me my first break as director. I was editing his films like Naam and Jaan Ki Baazi when he prodded me and got my first directorial assignment. Why just me, he even got my assistant Ajay a break as director.

Sanju has given so much to so many people, not half of it is known. For now the industry has come to a standstill. No one wants to celebrate. No parties, no premieres. I can't enjoy the success of Partner.

Do you know Sanju called and told me people were congratulating him for the success of my Partner. That's how magnanimous he is. He loves my sons, got them gifts from abroad. It's really sad, because he lost his mother, wife, father….that man has gone through so much pain. When will it end?

Hema Malini: "I feel terrible for him. We all go through problems. And I can feel the trauma his family is going through. But when the legal verdict is passed there's nothing we can do or say."

Arshad Warsi: "I'm sorry I can't respond to you. If I did it'd look like I'm trying to get publicity out of a friend's misery."

What do you think of Sanjay Dutt verdict?

The special TADA court Tuesday sentenced actor Sanjay Dutt to six years imprisonment for his role in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case.

Dutt, who was convicted under the Arms Act for illegal possession of weapons, was facing between five years and 10 years in jail.

He had spent 16 months in jail as an undertrial in 1994.

The judge said pronounced Dutt an offender and that he was present in a dinner party attended by Dawood Ibrahim.

Dutt was almost in tears when the judge pronounced the verdict.

The judge also said Dutt had committed a series of offences and that he was mature when he committed these.

The judge added that Dutt made Yusuf Nalwala commit the offence.

Dutt's aide Russi Mulla, who helped destroy the firearms, was given a suspended sentence of one year, in view of his advanced age and behaviour under the offenders of the Probation Act. He was fined Rs 1 lakh.

My god, what a punishment!!!

Sanjay Dutt's sentencing to six years in jail has sent shock waves through the Hindi film industry, with producers of at least three films involving the actor wondering about the fate of their incomplete projects, pegged at around Rs.1 billion (Rs.100 crores).

And whether people get to see a third sequel of the much-loved Munnabhai series remains a big question mark.

The actor was sentenced Tuesday to jail by a court for possessing illegal arms in the 1993 Mumbai terror bombings.

"I think film producers must be in a state of shock. Apparently Rs.1 billion was riding on his shoulders. It is too early to predict anything about his career after six years," trade analyst Taran Adarsh told.

"The films he was working in are 'Mr. Fraud' (Abbas Mustan), 'Kidnap' (Sanjay Gadhvi) and 'Alibaug' (of close friend Sanjay Gupta). He had also started working in 'Mehbooba'. But right we can't say anything. We will have to wait and watch," added Taran.

If Sanjay Dutt was taken unawares over the quantum of sentence as he had hoped the judge would heed his plea for probation, his producers are in a dilemma - especially those in the middle of shooting for films starring Sanjay.

The minimum budget for a Sanjay starrer is said to be Rs.150 million (Rs.15 crores).

However, most producers refused to comment when contacted for their reactions.

Close associates and friends of the star are unhappy with the sentence given to the 48-year-old actor.

Veteran Malayalam superstar Mammootty, expressing sadness over the verdict, said in Thiruvananthapuram: "Even though before the law all are equal, I sincerely feel that this should not have happened to Sanjay Dutt. We all hope that since he has been given permission to appeal in the Supreme Court he has still hope, and so do all his well wishers."

Yesteryear's popular actress Saira Banu, a close family friend of the Dutt family, was quite emotional. "I am heartbroken. Whatever punishment has been meted out far exceeds the error. People have forgotten the atmosphere at the time of error (the riots that followed the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992). We were under constant threats," Saira was quoted as saying after the sentencing.

"Sanju rescued injured people from the streets even when bullets were flying and took them to the hospital. People make errors in such situations. My god, what a punishment!" she added.

Kunal Kohli, a prominent filmmaker, told a TV channel: "Sanju is a nice person. He has already paid for what happened. It's really sad and upsetting as some one as kind hearted as Sanju is going through this. He has suffered a lot and we can't even imagine what he is going through right now."

Sanjay was one of the top heroes in 1993. But after his arrest then, no big producer wanted to cast him as they feared he would be in and out of jail and it would affect their films.

However, after coming out of jail in 1995 Sanjay scaled new heights in Bollywood. He gave hits like "Dushman", "Vaatav: The Reality" and the super hit "Munnabhai" series. His recent hit "Shootout At Lokhandwala" was a box office winner.

Sanjay starrer "Dhamaal" is ready for release.

Unless the Supreme Court intervenes in his favour, his incomplete projects might well not see the light of day.

Trishala Dutt is totally shattered!

Sanjay Dutt's controversial past caught up with him on Tuesday when a special court sentenced him to six years' rigorous imprisonment for being in possession of "dangerous weapons" in the 1993 Mumbai bombings case - bringing the curtain down on one of the world's longest-running terror trials.

Those who witnessed Dutt's sentencing in court say that an emotional Sanjay tried pleading for time - a chance to talk to his family - but to no avail.

"Though the crime was not brutal, cruel, ghastly, inhuman, not anti-social, and not immoral and did not result in any harm to anyone, it was still a serious offence as the accused had encouraged others to break the law," Kode told the courtroom.

The actor, who turned 48 on Sunday, made a last-ditch attempt to plead with Judge P.D. Kode to give him a couple of days to surrender before he starts serving his six-year long prison term for possessing "dangerous weapons".

"I have several family responsibilities to take care of and one of my sisters is pregnant. I have some family obligations to take care of," Dutt pleaded with Kode adding, "You too are a family man and you know me better than anyone else seeing me for the last fourteen years."

"I am helpless. Please understand me. I have no power now after pronouncing the sentence. I have been very considerate with you and allowed you to be on bail since you were convicted on Nov 28 last year." Kode said.

The actor, the most high profile among the 100 convicts who were sentenced, then pleaded that he should be allowed to take one phone call from his teenaged daughter.

"Will it be a collect call or will it be a billed call," Kode asked attorney Satish Manesinde in a lighter vein, granting permission before the actor was taken into custody."

Kode however, warned that the actor was not permitted to speak to the media or give any interview while he was waiting for his daughter's call.

" I have given permission for one overseas call, but ensure that you don't give any interview to the media or interact with them on phone," Kode warned before Sanjay was escorted out of the court room.

In no time, he was ordered to be lodged at the Arthur Road jail a stone's throw away from the TADA court.

Trishala Dutt, Sanjay’s 18-year-old daughter, told the Indian media she can’t believe ‘an honest man’ like her father has been given such a harsh sentence.

Currently in New York, she expressed deep distress over her father’s fate minutes after the verdict was announced.

"I am shattered and speechless. I’ve been in constant touch with dad since early morning. In fact, we almost broke down last night on the phone. He even spoke to me before he entered the court," says Trishala.

She adds, "He was stressed out but made a point of not showing it to me. I can’t imagine what he must be going through at this moment. I am scared and worried for him."

A shaken Priya Dutt was also seen following her brother after the sentencing, and her face said it all - the grief and crippling disappointment.

Astrology: 'Sanjay will be free by 2010'

“Sanjay Dutt’s star sign is Leo. And Leos are inherently good people. However, Saturn (which brings sorrow and suffering) is passing over Leo and hence Sanjay’s stint with misfortune. However, the phase will pass in the next three years and he will be released from all his trials and tribulations. Besides, Sanjay’s parents were both Gemini which combines reasonably well with Leo. So, I am expecting some of Sunil and Nargis Dutt’s luck to also influence their son’s life”.

Snippet: Sanjay Dutt's Sentence May Reduce!

People's opinion and the sources from the side of law say that Supreme Court may not acquit Sanjay Dutt completely but reduce the punishment given to him by TADA court.

As TADA sentenced him for 6 years he has to suffer 4.5 years from now as he already spent 18 months earlier. It is being said that Supreme Court may reduce the punishment up to half of the present. If that happens, Sanjay should consider that he has won the case, says an advocate.

But hardly people are confident that Sanjay will be acquitted completely.

Sanjay Dutt jailed for 6 years in Mumbai blasts

MUMBAI, July 31 (Reuters) - An Indian court jailed Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt for six years on Tuesday for acquiring illegal weapons from gangsters involved in India's worst bombings that killed 257 people in 1993.

Dutt, 48, was cleared of conspiracy charges in the serial blasts in India's financial capital of Mumbai, but was found guilty of unauthorised possession of an automatic rifle and a pistol.

"It was an eminently dangerous act," judge Pramod Kode said. "With the punishment of a minimum of five years and maximum of 10 years it can in no way be a minor offence or of a less grave nature."

Dutt's trial has transfixed India and fans of Bollywood, the world's largest film industry by ticket sales. He has millions of dollars riding on him in films under production.

The actor is the most high-profile among 100 people, mostly Muslims, found guilty in the bombings trial, one of the world's longest-running court cases.

The 1993 Mumbai attacks were ordered by India's most wanted man, Dawood Ibrahim, a Muslim, to avenge the razing of a 16th-century mosque by Hindu zealots in 1992 and subsequent Hindu-Muslim riots in India, police say.

Ibrahim and his top associates have not faced trial as they fled the country soon after the blasts, police say. Ibrahim is believed to be hiding in Pakistan, but the government in Islamabad denies this.

Dutt's lawyers had urged that the actor, who found fame playing gangsters and anti-heroes, be set free for his good behaviour during his bail.

But the court rejected the argument.

Son of legendary film couple Sunil Dutt and Nargis, the heavy-set actor has been on bail since 1995 after more than a year in prison during initial investigations into the blasts.

He is expected to appeal.

Snippet: Sanjay Dutt's ‘mantra’ for life!

For years Sanjay Dutt’s young fans have imitated his fashion fundas and style statements and treated anything he does as their mantra for life. Now the man himself has found his own sacred mantra. We all know how religious Sanju is; in fact, he doesn’t ever leave the house without his morning prayers.
During Navratri, there’s a special puja in his house every day, and of course, he’s purely shakahari for those nine days. Sanju recently learnt the Gayatri mantra, and now his day begins with chanting. The chores come only later. Well, we wonder if his fans will follow this ‘mantra’, too. It’s called blind faith, right?