Khalnayak Returns: Sanjay Dutt to return as Ballu in Khal Nayak sequel, reveals he got the idea in jail

Sanjay Dutt will return as Ballu in Khalnayak Returns, a sequel to the iconic 1993 film that revived his career.

Ballu, the iconic anti-hero played by Sanjay Dutt in the 1993 cult classic, Khal Nayak, is set to return to the big screens. On Friday, the actor announced his new film, Khalnayak Returns, touted to be a ‘fresh interpretation’ of the 1993 original.

Sanjay Dutt in a still from Subhash Ghai's Khal Nayak.

Sanjay Dutt announces Khal Nayak sequel

On Friday, at an event in Mumbai, Sanjay revealed that his Three Dimension Motion Pictures and Producer Aksha Kamboj's Aspect Entertainment have jointly secured the rights from filmmaker Subhash Ghai and his company Mukta Arts for the second part of the iconic action-crime movie. The original Khal Nayak also starred Jackie Shroff and Madhuri Dixit.

At the event, a brief teaser of Khalnayak Returns was unveiled, news agency PTI reported. It showed the actor reprising his iconic role of Ballu in a rugged new avatar.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Speaking at the event, Sanjay thanked Subhash Ghai, the director and producer of Khal Nayak, for making the film. “The journey of Khalnayak has been long, and without Subhash ji, it wouldn't have been possible. He is a legend and the man of entertainment. He will be part of this Khalnayak,” he told reporters.

‘Got the idea in jail’

Sanjay Dutt revealed that he got the idea for a potential Khal Nayak sequel when he was serving his jail term in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blast case. “In jail, I asked everyone around me who would be interested in watching it. And the 4,000 inmates said they all would. I asked all of them to write one page about it, and it took me a while to read all 4,000 pages. When I came out on parole, I asked Subhash sir to go through it. After that, he said it should be made,” the actor recalled.

Subhash Ghai, also present at the event, lauded the idea for the sequel. “It was his inner wish and passion of Sanju and Maanyata (Sanjay's wife) to make this. I'm sure it's going to be a better. I'm always there to be of any help,” the filmmaker said.

All about the original Khal Nayak

The original film, directed and produced by Ghai, is remembered as one of the biggest hits of the 1990s and has attained cult status over the years. It featured Sanjay as the anti-hero Ballu, Jackie Shroff as police officer Ram and Madhuri as undercover police officer Ganga.

The makers have not revealed if the new film is a direct sequel, a reimagination, a thematic sequel, or even a remake. The script for Khalnayak Returns remains under wraps. Sanjay Dutt has roped in Jyoti Deshpande of Jio Studios to creatively helm it.