Suniel Shetty and Sanjay Dutt have been seen in films like Kaante (2002), Dus (2005) and Shootout At Lokhandwala (2007). Now, after a gap of 12 years, they are coming together for the movie Doghouse directed by Samir Karnik, who had earlier helmed Yamla Pagla Deewana. The two actors were last seen sharing screen space in the film No Problem (2010).

Excited to work with Sanjay again, Suniel says, “I am happy that Baba and I are teaming up for a film after so many years. We are playing our age in this film, and I must say the script is brilliant. The audience has seen us portraying these macho characters together on screen, but this time around, we are bringing comedy to the table.”

Known to be good friends, Suniel and Sanjay might not have worked together for years, but personally, they share a great bond. “We share a superb equation. I think it (the film) is a take on our personal relationship, too. We get along well and you will see us that way — cool and casual — on-screen, too,” says Suniel.

In the last few years, Suniel has been seen in special appearances in Hindi films and has also dabbled in South cinema. He says, “I took a sabbatical for a long time. Then, I tested the waters by doing cameos and South films. But I am glad that I did that. Today, cinema is being appreciated across borders. Language doesn’t matter anymore, what matters is the content. Now, fortunately, actors are being offered subjects keeping their maturity and talent in mind, and I am damn excited about it.”

A decade after Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011), Samir Karnik is back with another situational comedy. The filmmaker is set to reunite Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty for his film Doghouse, which is expected to go on floors by mid-2022, depending on the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic.

The film revolves around “everyday characters”, and their mishaps lend to a comic narrative. “They get embroiled in a serious issue, [which leads] to funny situations that will have the audience laughing,” explains a trade source of the story penned by Karnik. “The makers — [Viacom18, Shetty, Sujit Jain and Dutt] — are yet to lock a location for the shoot in Mumbai and overseas,” he adds.

Besides Shetty and Dutt, Doghouse features Saurabh Shukla, Zayed Khan, Jaaved Jaaferi and Esha Gupta in pivotal roles. Crediting the Hera Pheri actor for bringing the brilliant cast on board, Karnik says, “Suniel anna played an important role in putting the project together. He stood by me like a rock and got everyone on board. Anna liked the story and spoke to Sanju sir, who got on board immediately.”

He informs that rumours of the film being Punjabi-based are untrue. “It’s an out-and-out comedy. Neither is it a Punjabi-based film, nor are Sanju and Suniel playing Punjabis in the film.”