Suniel Shetty and Sanjay Gupta, who had not spoken to each other in six years, were seen on a public platform on Monday afternoon. However, it was not a chance meeting. The one-time buddies met a day before and sorted out their differences. They had last worked together in Gupta’s Shootout At Lokhandwala.
Says a source, “Suniel and Gups (as fondly called by his friends) drifted apart because of Shetty chose to stick with common friend Sanjay Dutt, when they parted ways. When Sanju had issues with Gups, most of Sanju’s friend cut off ties with the filmmaker out of loyalty to the actor.”
When they realised that they had to share public platform to announce an international award, they decided to meet a day, on Sunday, to break the ice. It was an emotional 20-minute reunion at Khandala where they both have weekend homes.”
Suniel confirms, “Yes, Gups and I met after six years. Sanju had a problem with him and I was being a loyal friend. I don’t have any problems with anybody. But now Sanju himself has patched up with Gups... I was in Khandala over the weekend when my ex manager George called and asked me if I could meet Gups. It was for an event held in South Africa, where the two Shootouts will be screened. They were to come in the morning but came a bit later.
By that time I was on the site. Initially Gups was a bit awkward so when a moment came I said, ‘First at least give me a hug!’ That broke the ice after which we comfortably chatted for some time. Today he has a lovely family and I am so happy for him. In fact I would tell him that his wife Anuradha was the only girl for him, when they were estranged.”
When asked if there was a chance of them coming together for a film, he says, “Of course I would! Gups is one director who presents men very well on screen.
I have done two films with him, Kaante and Shootout At Lokhandwala, and both were hits. He has made some super successful films.”
Gupta laughs, “I have pulled Suniel twice out of retirement. Before Kaante he had said he was taking voluntary retirement and before SAL also he had said the same thing. He is one of the big bad action heroes, and he needs the right kind of script to showcase his actions skills. Of course I felt very hurt when my friends didn’t keep in touch during those years.
But when we met now it was as if nothing had changed. Now it’s all water under the bridge. We did an event on Monday and it was great fun with Sunil, Manoj (Bajpai), John (Abraham) and me all bonding on stage. The Shootout teams will be attending screenings of SAW and SAL in Durban in September this year which will be attended by students and film lovers. Depending on our schedules we plan to meet up there.”
Buzz is that his next film, a crime thriller, Mumbai Saga has seven heroes and he’s planning to cast Sunil in one of them? Gupta smiles, “It’s too early to say anything right now. I am still scripting Mumbai Saga.”
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