Sanjay Dutt, whose Lage Raho Munna Bhai is doing great at the box office, is too tense to go for shoots because of the impending judicial verdict over his alleged linkage with the 1993 Mumbai bombings.
The actor has refused to go for shoots or sign new projects till the TADA court gives its ruling. Sanjay is accused number 117 in the serial blasts case and his future rests on the judgment.
The special court, under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act, has exempted Sanjay from personal appearance and has permitted him to fulfil his professional commitments.
But Sanjay is too tense to work. "Sanjay has informed his producers that he can't shoot till the verdict is out. He is not in the right frame of mind. He has also decided not to sign any new films," said a source close to Sanjay.
If Sanjay is in a dilemma, his producers are in a fix - especially those whose shooting is midway. According to sources, more than Rs.1 billion has been invested in movies featuring Sanjay. The minimum budget for a Sanjay starrer is said to be Rs.150 million.
"The films which are ready for release or are nearing completion will not lose much money. But films partly completed will definitely be affected," Komal Nahta, editor, Film Information, was quoted as saying.
{{/usCountry}}"The films which are ready for release or are nearing completion will not lose much money. But films partly completed will definitely be affected," Komal Nahta, editor, Film Information, was quoted as saying.
{{/usCountry}}The films in the lurch include Ajay Chandok's Nehle Pe Dehla, Astavinayak's Mr. Fraud, Indra Kumar's Dhamaal, and Sanjay Gupta's Shootout At Lokhandwala.
"If the court's verdict goes against Sanjay, it will definitely hit producers - except those whose films are insured," said sources. Sanjay has completed work on Vidhu Vinod Chopra's Eklavya and Raman Kumar's Sarhad Paar.