At the launch event for the song Baba Aaya Re from his upcoming film The Bhootnii, veteran actor Sanjay Dutt voiced his concerns about the current state of the Hindi film industry. Reflecting on the changing dynamics within Bollywood, Dutt lamented the growing divisions across groups, sectors, and informal "clubs," and made an emotional appeal for unity and collective growth.
Dutt expressed disappointment over the lack of solidarity that once defined the industry, recalling a time when everyone functioned as a close-knit family. “It is sad to watch that our industry is so divided right now, this is something I hadn’t seen before,” he said. He stressed that the industry was, and still should be, a family. According to him, while the current scenario shows signs of deviation, the core of mutual support and collective success must remain intact.
The actor emphasized that every film deserves equal treatment—from distributors to cinema owners—regardless of who is behind it. Using The Bhootnii as an example, he acknowledged that the film might not be receiving the attention it merits, but remained optimistic about its potential. His broader message was not just about one movie, but about the fair and equal opportunity every film deserves in a healthy industry.
Sanjay Dutt concluded his message with a passionate plea to his peers. “I request the film industry to be together as a family again, and help each other so that the film industry grows,” he said, clarifying that his appeal wasn’t self-serving, but rather a call for unity on behalf of the entire cinematic community. His words strike a timely chord, reminding Bollywood of the power of collaboration over competition.
Written and directed by Sidhaant Sachdev, The Bhootnii is produced by Deepak Mukut and Sanjay Dutt. The film stars Sanjay Dutt, Sunny Singh and Mouni Roy.
It is scheduled to release date on 1 May 2025.