Gupta replaces Sanjay Dutt with Khan in Alibaug
Sanjay Dutt has been replaced in Sanjay Gupta’s Alibaug by fellow actor Irrfan Khan, it has been confirmed.
Says Gupta, "I’ve to regretfully move on with the casting. I wrote the film with Sanjay Dutt in mind and even shot with him. But then destiny, if we can call it that, intervened. And he made his inability to do the film expressly clear. He didn’t tell me why. I didn’t ask. All I can say is Sanjay Dutt and I never shared only a professional rapport. When a year ago he made his exit from Alibaug clear, I was not willing to accept it."
"Alibaug goes way beyond just another project for me. The entire cost of the film is what I charge as a director today. I could easily be making something else. Alibaug is being made for strictly personal reasons. Ironically, I suffered a huge personal loss (Dutt’s friendship) during this film. If during its course one relationship was severed, I made ten other friends because of Alibaug. This film is vital to me and my actors. This film means a lot to them. I can’t afford to let them down. We waited two years. Now I’ve no choice but to move on," says the director.
Since Sanjay Dutt started seeing girlfriend and now wife Manyata, his friendship with Sanjay Gupta has been on the back burner. Alibaug has already recommenced shooting with Irrfan and is on course for a year-end release.
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