Sanjay Gupta is all set to return to direction after a gap of five years. While Gupta is all excited about taking Ekta Kapoor's Shootout franchise ahead with John Abraham and Anil Kapoor, his friend-turned-foe Sanjay Dutt is not. According to sources, Dutt has been sending Anil Kapoor feelers asking the latter actor not to be part of the film Shootout At Wadala. Shootout At Wadala, Gupta's comeback vehicle is a prequel to the Apoorva Lakhia directed Shootout At Lokhandwala that released in 2007. Anil Kapoor has been roped in to play encounter specialist Isaque Bagwan in the film alongside John Abraham's portrayal of the dreaded gangster Manya Surve. And Dutt is not happy with this. A source told Mumbai Mirror, "Dutt has not told Anil directly but he has sent indirect feelers to the actor. Anil, obviously understands where Dutt's sentiments come from." Dutt and Gupta, who had been close friends once upon a time, fell out during the making of Shootout of Lokhandwala over some payment issues. However, Anil Kapoor has remained unaffected by Dutt.
According to the industry insiders, apparently Sanjay had also asked John not to do Gupta's film. However, that was a while back when John was still contemplating signing the film. Seems like Sanjay Dutt's next targets could be Vidya Balan and Nana Patekar, who Gupta is interested in roping in for the very film.
Despite repeated attempts, Anil Kapoor and Sanjay Dutt remained unavailable for comment. However, Dharam Oberoi, the CEO of Dutt's production house said, "India is a free country. Why would Dutt ask Anil not to do Gupta's film? In fact, when John asked Dutt about the film, it was Dutt who asked him to go ahead and do it. Also, Dutt and John are good friends."