Sanjay Dutt's Best Friend, Director Of Tridev And Mohra, Fired Actor From Film: 'He Needed Rehab'
Director Rajiv Rai has opened up about one of the most difficult decisions of his career – letting go of Sanjay Dutt from his film Yudh. Speaking in a recent interview, the filmmaker shared that the two were once extremely close, but their relationship was tested when Dutt's drug problems began to affect the film's progress.
Rai said he had already filmed 14 reels with Dutt and described those working days as the best of his life. 'In my heart of hearts, he's still my best friend. I can never forget those days, because they were the best days of my life."
At the time, Sanjay was struggling with substance use and was eventually sent to rehab in Florida. Rai said he had spoken to Sanjay's father, actor and politician Sunil Dutt, about the situation. 'Sanju was not well. He needed rehab in Florida. I spoke to his father and told him to get him out of this… Whatever this is… I was very concerned."
Despite their deep personal ties, Rai said that he made the decision based on what he believed was best for both Sanjay and the film. 'If I had not taken this drastic step then, he wouldn't have made the changes in his life. I had to forgo my friendship with him."
Sunil Dutt had asked Rai and his father, producer Gulshan Rai, to give Sanjay another chance. But the team decided not to delay the project. 'He'd keep requesting me to give him another chance. He was very upset about the situation as well. But I told him that he needs the electric shock."
Rai added that he didn't hold anything against Sanjay and still speaks about that period with emotion. 'Things didn't work out professionally between me and Sanju, and it was for his own good. He may love me for it or hate me for it, but I don't know, because we've never spoken about it… I have nothing bad to say about it."
While their professional relationship didn't continue after Yudh, Rai's decision might have played a small role in pushing Dutt toward recovery. Though Sanjay faced many more challenges later – including legal battles and a cancer diagnosis – he returned to the industry and rebuilt his career.
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