Subhash Ghai says Sanjay Dutt was ‘innocent’ but ‘trapped’ at the time of the latter’s arrest

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai, in his recent interview, said that he knows Sanjay Dutt very well and was aware that the actor was ‘innocent’ during his arrest in 1993. Subhash and Sanjay worked in Khalnayak, which was released around the time when Sanjay was arrested.

Talking to a leading entertainment portal, Subhash said, “I have known Sanjay Dutt ever since he was a kid. I directed his second film, Vidhaata. Then after 10 years, I cast him in Khalnayak. I knew him really closely. When he was arrested I knew he was innocent but was trapped.” He further added, “He was not a criminal.”

Subhash also said that he didn’t cash in on Sanjay’s controversy and didn’t spend a single rupee on Khalnayak’s promotion. The filmmaker said,  “I did not spend a single rupee to promote Khalnayak. I stayed silent. There was such a furore over Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai, 32 political units were against me, there were court cases against me. But I stayed quiet. I knew what film I had made, I knew what Sanjay Dutt was, I knew what Choli Ke Peeche Kya Hai was.”

Along with Sanjay Dutt, Khalnayak also featured Madhuri Dixit and Jackie Shroff in lead roles. Directed by Subhash Ghai, the movie was one of the biggest hits of the year and bagged nominations for several prestigious awards.