Big B & Sanjay didn’t shoot together in ‘Shootout…’: Director
Apoorva Lakhia, the director of the 2007 film ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’, recently shared an interesting anecdote from the sets of the movie. The film was a critical and commercial success, and it featured two of the biggest stars of Bollywood at the time, Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt. However, what many fans may not know is that the two superstars never actually shot a scene together.
In an interview with a leading publication, Lakhia revealed that the schedules of the two actors were so different that they never even met on set. “Amit ji comes at 2 pm, Sanjay comes at 6 pm. Amit ji leaves at 5:30 pm and Sanjay comes to set after finishing his lunch at 5:30 pm,” he explained.
This revelation may come as a surprise to many fans who remember the film’s promotional campaign, which highlighted the on-screen chemistry between Bachchan and Dutt. The two actors played the roles of Pradeep Sanghar and Amar Naath, respectively, in the film. However, it seems that their interactions were limited to their individual scenes, and they never actually shared screen time together.
Lakhia’s comments have sparked a lot of curiosity among fans, who are wondering what could have been the reason behind the actors’ conflicting schedules. Was it a deliberate decision to maintain their individuality and not compromise on their respective work styles? Or was it simply a matter of logistics, with the two actors having different commitments and requirements?
Whatever the reason, it’s clear that the two actors were able to deliver strong performances in their individual scenes, despite not having the opportunity to work together. Bachchan, in particular, was praised for his nuanced portrayal of Pradeep Sanghar, a character who was both ruthless and calculating. Dutt, on the other hand, brought his trademark intensity to the role of Amar Naath, a character who was driven by a desire for revenge.
The film’s success was a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire cast and crew. Despite the challenges posed by the actors’ different schedules, Lakhia and his team were able to bring the story to life in a way that was both engaging and intense.
In hindsight, the fact that Bachchan and Dutt never shot together may have actually worked in the film’s favor. The two actors brought their own unique strengths and styles to their respective roles, and their individual performances added depth and complexity to the narrative.
As fans of Bollywood, we often take it for granted that our favorite stars will work together seamlessly on set. But the truth is that even the biggest stars can have different work styles and schedules, and it’s up to the director and the team to find ways to make it work.
In the case of ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’, Lakhia and his team were able to rise to the challenge and deliver a film that was both critically acclaimed and commercially successful. And while it may have been a challenge to work with two actors who had different schedules, the end result was well worth the effort.
