In a significant casting change for the much-anticipated sequel Son of Sardaar 2, Sanjay Dutt has been replaced by Ravi Kishan. The decision comes in the wake of Dutt’s UK visa application being denied, linked to his past incarceration. The film, a sequel to the 2012 hit Son of Sardaar, is being shot in Scotland and also features Mrunal Thakur.
Entertainment industry insider revealed, “Despite numerous attempts to secure a UK visa since his 1993 arrest, Sanjay Dutt had not succeeded. His visa application rejection was discovered by Ajay Devgn’s team, leading to the decision to replace him with Ravi Kishan.”
The visa complications have also raised concerns about Dutt’s involvement in the upcoming comedy Housefull 5, which is slated for a September shoot in London. However, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has opted for a practical solution, “While the rest of the cast will shoot in London, all of Sanju’s scenes will be filmed in Mumbai, avoiding any complications.”
Sanjay Dutt’s legal troubles began in April 1993 when he was arrested under TADA and the Arms Act for possessing illegal weapons linked to the 1993 Bombay bombings. He was sentenced to five years in prison, a sentence upheld by the Supreme Court in March 2013. Dutt completed his sentence in 2016 after multiple bails.
In Son of Sardaar 2, Dutt was originally set to reprise his role as Jassi alongside Ajay Devgn’s Billu. The sequel is expected to introduce a new antagonistic element to Dutt’s character, now to be portrayed by Ravi Kishan.
