Sanjay Dutt: Support for Athiya Shetty

Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty have been friends for decades so when Siddharth Anand's Badlaa was being put together with Dutt in the lead, and it needed an actress to play a character of his daughter's age, his buddy's daughter Athiya was the natural choice. Says a source, "Sanju recommended her name to the director. But the film got shelved and Sanju felt bad about for not being able to do a film with Athiya. An emotional Sanju called Suniel and told him he was looking for a script for Athiya and him which he would finalise soon."

An equally emotional Suniel thanked baba. Says a source close tot he actors, "Suniel Anna told Sanju that Athiya was like his daughter and she would do any role he wants her too. Sanju in turn, promised Shetty that the minute he gets a script suiting Athiya and him, he will call Suniel and get the project rolling." We can almost hear the Yeh Dosti... song from Sholay playing in the background.