May 28, 2026 6:01pm IST
Rajkumar Santoshi: ‘There’s an Intention to do a Film with Sanjay Dutt; It could be ‘Khalnayak Returns’’
Sanjay Dutt may have found the director for "Khalnayak Returns". The actor has approached Rajkumar Santoshi to helm the sequel, which Dutt will also co-produce. Confirming that discussions are underway, Santoshi says, “We are talking and have been wanting to work together. It could be Khal Nayak 2 or any other film. Even if it is Khal Nayak 2, it is fine.”
Dutt had recently announced the sequel to "Khal Nayak," one of the most iconic films of his career. Speaking about the project earlier, filmmaker Subhash Ghai — who directed and produced the 1993 original — revealed that Dutt had written to him from jail, expressing his passion for revisiting the story. Ghai said it was the sincerity and emotion in Dutt’s letter that convinced him "Khal Nayak 2" should be made.
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Ghai had said the sequel would need a strong director, while adding that he would guide the project creatively. Dutt, in turn, called Ghai his mentor and said the film would not be possible without him.
Released in 1993, Khal Nayak starred Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff, and emerged as one of the biggest hits of the year. The film revolves around Inspector Ram (Jackie Shroff) and his undercover police officer girlfriend, Ganga (Madhuri Dixit), who set out to capture the notorious criminal Ballu (Sanjay Dutt). However, the mission takes an unexpected turn when Ballu develops feelings for Ganga.
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