Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta recently shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes story of how Amitabh Bachchan became part of his 2002 heist drama Kaante. Speaking on a podcast, Gupta revealed that Big B wasn’t his initial choice for the film. He originally envisioned Kaante with a cast of newcomers and Naseeruddin Shah. However, Sanjay Dutt’s enthusiasm for the project altered the course of the film’s casting.
Sanjay Gupta disclosed that it was Sanjay Dutt who not only insisted on acting in the film but also urged him to approach Amitabh Bachchan for a pivotal role. Gupta initially dismissed the idea, doubting his chances, but Dutt’s persistence changed his mind.
The director recalled the day of the narration vividly. “Sanjay Dutt called up Amitji and set up a meeting for me at his house two days later. I was very nervous. At exactly 10:55 am, I arrived outside his house. The guards came running, parked my car, and gave me directions. As I walked up the staircase, I saw iconic black-and-white photographs of Amitji from his films. By the time you reach the second floor, you feel so small,” Gupta shared.
Once inside, he was led to a plush room where he waited. Then came the unforgettable moment when Amitabh Bachchan made his entrance. “Suddenly the door from behind opened, and this giant figure walked out in a white Pathaani, introducing himself. He took me to another room and said he would be back in five minutes. I knew Big B was into very hi-tech sound systems, so the speakers and gramophones he uses are like Rs 50-60 lakhs plus, I saw that equipment. On his desk there was this mug, it had 25 to 30 pens in it and they were all Mont Blanc’s designer editions. He then came and sat down and we started the narration,” he said.
Amitabh Bachchan’s live portrait sketching by fan
The narration, however, wasn’t smooth sailing for Gupta. “The thought in my head was that one day I will tell my grandchildren that I narrated a story to Big B at his home,” he said. During the narration, Big B kept a straight face. Gupta got nervous and asked if he could narrate in his own style. Big B agreed, but Gupta was still unsure of his reaction. After the 30-minute narration, there was a nerve-wracking silence lasting around 20-25 seconds, leaving Gupta apprehensive. Finally, Amitji said he loved it, and I almost couldn’t believe it. That’s how the journey began,” Gupta recounted.
Kaante, which went on to become a cult classic, featured an ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Suniel Shetty, Lucky Ali, and Kumar Gaurav. The gritty heist drama, inspired by Reservoir Dogs, was celebrated for its stylish storytelling and memorable performances.
