Sanjay Gupta dies at 57: Shabana Azmi, Milap Zaveri and others remember Kaante filmmaker

Sanjay Gupta pic via Instagram

"It was not his time to go" was the sentiment echoed across the Hindi film industry following filmmaker Sanjay Gupta's accidental death at his Mumbai residence. The 57-year-old filmmaker suffered a head injury after accidentally falling in his kitchen on Friday (October 30). Friends and collaborators remembered his spirited nature and passion for cinema.

Shabana Azmi, who co-produced the 2007 anthology Dus Kahaaniyan with Gupta and later acted in his Jazbaa (2015), said she could not believe she was speaking about him in the past tense. "On the sets, he gave a lot of freedom to his actors after giving them an outline of what he had in mind. He was positive, always enthusiastic, and a very good producer. Sanjay was always full of stories and a keen cineaste," Azmi told mid-day.

Known for slick actioners featuring cool anti-heroes and thumping music, Gupta made his mark with Kaante (2002) and Musafir (2004). Producer Rangita Nandy, whose father Pritish Nandy co-produced Kaante, revealed that she and Gupta had recently discussed a sequel.

"Sanjay and we made an unforgettable film. Kaante, which remains a defining film - distinctive in its storytelling, stylish in its execution, and unforgettable for the way it brought together an exceptional cast and a gripping heist narrative. He was always keen to make a sequel. It's unfortunate that that wish will remain a dream," she said.

Writer and director Milap Zaveri, who co-wrote Kaante's dialogues, remembered Gupta as his mentor. "He gave me Kaante at 21. Then resurrected my career again with Musafir, and Shootout at Wadala [2013]. He was my father. My teacher. I'm heartbroken."

Gupta's last directorial was The Miranda Brothers (2024). Its lead actor, Harshvardhan Rane, remembered his warmth and love for family. "He was all about loving his family and making films non-stop. During shoot, he often took Meezaan [Jafri] and me out to eat in Goa. I had never met a happier man on and off set. He had a huge heart, and I will miss him dearly," Rane added.