Sanjay Dutt Tagged Articles at Cinematical

"Mind blowing!" Shot in Bombay, a documentary by Liz Mermin on the making of the 2007 action crime film Shootout at Lokhandwala, provides an illuminating peak behind the scenes of the Indian film industry, but becomes even more fascinating when it weaves together disparate strands about the controversial events that inspired Shootout and a years-long legal case against one of India's biggest stars.

Approached to make a doc about Indian movies, Mermin encountered resistance from local filmmakers, who felt Western media outlets have not been fair in their treatment of the industry. Finally, the makers of Shootout at Lokhandwala agreed, and Mermin arrived on location in January 2007 just in time to observe a production in crisis. Director Apoorva Lakhia was under tremendous pressure to complete the film, despite his lead actor's temperamental nature. Sanjay Dutt's frequent absences from the set might be understandable, since he was simultaneously dealing with the culmination of a 13-year-long criminal trial that might send him to prison for years.

These days, hearing about drugs and cinema usually brings to mind a certain Miss Lohan and her struggles with booze, drugs and reckless driving. Sometimes, that's only the start. Famous Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt has had a rough go of things. A struggle with drug addiction and the deaths of both his mother and first wife were unfortunately just the beginning of the famous actor's plight. Along with much Bollywood success in films like Mission Kashmir and Lage Raho Munnabhar, Dutt found himself in deep water. Way back in 1993, he was arrested in connection with the terrible bombings in Mumbai in 1993, which killed 257 people. After many years and investigations for further troubles like money-laundering and connections with kidnappers and extortionists, he's heading to jail.

The actor's connection to Mumbai -- he had acquired a mass of weapons believed to be part of the consignment used in the bombings. He kept one of the pieces, a rifle, which he later instructed his friends to destroy when he came under suspicion. Fourteen years after his original arrest, and on bail since 1995, Dutt has been sentenced to six years in jail and fined 25,000 rupees ($625). Judge Pramod Kode said: "The crime was not brutal, cruel, ghastly, inhuman, not anti-social, not immoral and did not result in any harm to anyone," but he added that it was still a serious offense.

This might stop his acting career, but I'm thinking the chances for a biopic are pretty good -- famous terrorism, drug addiction and death? What else does a story need?

I think we are all used to a little scandal with our celebrities; a couch jump here, a nip-slip there and even the odd racist tirade. But a trial in India surrounding Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt has them all beat.

Just days after having one his films chosen as an eligible Foreign Selection for the Oscars (Lage raho Munnabhai), Sanjay Dutt has been convicted for his role in a wave of bombings that swept the city of Mumbai, India in 1993. Over 250 people were killed during the blasts, and families have waited over 13 years to see the accused brought to trial. Dutt was a one of Bollywood's most respected stars and this story has gripped India for weeks now. Dutt was accused of criminal conspiracy under the Terrorism and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, and possession of illegal arms under the Arms Act. Dutt was found guilty of the firearm possession, but acquitted of all other charges.

The bombings had been linked to Indian organized crime, which has long been rumored to be connected to the entertainment business. The Indian film industry is the biggest in the world in terms of the number of films produced and tickets sold. So if you are unfamiliar with the Bollywood phenomenon, this is the equivalent of Jack Nicholson going on a bombing rampage in downtown LA -- it's that big. It's not over yet though, as Dutt is still out on bail and is awaiting sentencing on December 19.