Kaante director Sanjay Gupta recalls visiting Amitabh Bachchan’s Jalsa for narration; ‘By the time you reach the second floor, you seem very little’

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As an ardent fan, I can only imagine the sheer exhilaration that Sanjay Gupta must have felt when he was granted an audience with the legendary Amitabh Bachchan. His account of the encounter resonates with me deeply as it encapsulates the awe and reverence that many of us feel towards our cinematic idols.

Amitabh Bachchan is highly respected as an actor within the movie industry, with fans eagerly seeking more information about him. Lately, director Sanjay Gupta divulged a captivating tale of narrating a script at Big B’s residence and expressed being awestruck by its majesty, feeling insignificant in comparison to him and his impressive home.

On my recent appearance on Timeout with Ankit, I shared a fascinating story about the making of Kaante in 2002. Originally, I had envisioned casting fresh talent alongside Naseeruddin Shah, but during our discussions, Sanjay Dutt expressed his desire to join the project. Intriguingly, he suggested that I consider Amitabh Bachchan for another character. Following Dutt’s recommendation, I arranged a meeting between the iconic actor and myself, which ultimately led to Bachchan being cast in the film.

Sanjay recounted his experience, saying, “I entered his property and climbed up the staircase, and there were black-and-white photos of Amitabh Bachchan from his films all around. By the time I reached the second floor, I felt quite small in his presence.” This way, we’ve kept the meaning intact while making it more natural and easier to read.

The director revealed that he was escorted into a luxurious room and given some refreshments. When Amitabh Bachchan, famously known as Piku’s actor, arrived, he led Gupta to another richly adorned room. Here, Gupta spotted high-end items such as speakers, gramophones valued at around 50-60 lakh rupees, and a mug full of about 25-30 Mont Blanc designer pens on the desk belonging to the megastar.

Initially, Sanjay Gupta felt jittery, but he began the narrative. For a brief moment, he was petrified until Big B responded. The importance of this occasion made him think that someday, he’d share this unique experience with his grandkids.

He stated, “The story concluded within thirty minutes, followed by a span of about twenty to twenty-five seconds that were the most petrifying for me. There was no response, and my pulse quickened significantly. Afterwards, I inquired about his opinion, to which he responded that he enjoyed it.

Following the completion of the Mumbai Saga project, its director felt a sense of relief and started working with Big B. Simultaneously, Kaante was an intriguing heist movie that starred Sanjay Dutt, Mahesh Manjrekar, Suniel Shetty, Lucky Ali, and Kumar Gaurav in substantial roles.

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2024-12-16 17:53