Welcome to the Jungle, directed by Ahmed Khan, boasts a massive cast of more than 30 actors, but the project initially came with several names attached, including Sanjay DuttSharib Hashmi, Rahul Dev and singer Mika Singh were noticeably absent from the finished film. Khan has broken his silence on Sanjay’s exit and has now refuted claims that there was tension between Sanjay and the production team. He explained that the actor’s departure was due to a conflict in his schedule, adding that Doute was also flown to the United States for treatment at the time. According to the director, the crew had completed some scenes with Sanjay when he left the film.
Ahmed Khan says Sanjay Dutt liked the script
Ahmed revealed that Sanjay was really eager to be a part of the film, largely because several of his industry buddies were also cast in the film. “Sanju Baba loved the script and he really wanted to be a part of the film. His friends from the film mein itne saare (many of his friends are working in the film) – Jaggu Dada (Jackie Shroff), Akshay Kumar etc. He was excited. We shot a part of the film with him. But he had a date problem. He must go to America. He went there for treatment and I couldn’t change the date with so many actors,” Khan told News18.
Sanjay Dutt helped find his replacement
Ahmed said he took it upon himself to help find a successor after Sanjay quit the film industry. The director revealed that Dutt himself contacted Sunil Shetty and convinced him to do the role that suited him, and then convinced Jackie Shroff to play the role originally written for Sunil. “He lovingly called Sunil Shetty and told him to play the role that he was supposed to play and asked Jackie Shroff to play the role that was originally envisioned by Sunil Shetty. He devised a solution for his absence. We will always be grateful to Baba,” he added.
Movie box office crosses Rs 100-crore mark despite Sanjay Dutt’s exit
The main cast of “Welcome to the Jungle” includes Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Disha Patani, Jacqueline Fernandez, Arshad WarsiJackie Shroff, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Lala Dutta, Farida Jalal, Johnny Lever, Shreyas Thapade, Tashar Kapoorand Rajpal Yadav has crossed the Rs 100-crore mark at the global box office.
