In May 2023, when filmmaker Raaj Shaandilyaa launched his production house and announced seven films, he chose Sanjay Gadhvi to helm Googly. Unfortunately, on November 19 last year, Gadhvi passed away of a heart attack. Six months on, Shaandilyaa says that he has decided to helm Googly as a tribute to the late director.

“Sanjay was a friend. We looked at many directors, but finally decided that I will helm it. I want to make the movie for him. The script is locked, as is one of the leads. But it will roll only next year, as I have to work on two movies this year,” says the Dream Girl 2 (2023) director.

Shaandilyaa recalls that when he was writing the sports drama, Gadhvi was his first choice. The reason was simple—he appreciated the late filmmaker’s cinematic sensibilities.

“Sanjay helmed the first two instalments of Dhoom, which is one of India’s biggest franchises. He was an intelligent writer-director, who knew each aspect of his craft, and his technical knowledge was phenomenal. Googly is a heart-warming story about a popular sport; it’s not a biopic. While writing it, I called Sanjay and told him that I wanted him at the helm. He came on board immediately and wrote the screenplay with one of my co-writers.”

Currently, Shaandilyaa is busy with his next production, Luv Ki Arrange Marriage, which stars Sunny Singh and Avneet Kaur. He is also readying Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri, for release.

The Hindi film industry is shocked by the sudden and untimely demise of Sanjay Gadhvi. The director, best known for helming action thriller films like Dhoom and Dhoom 2, passed away on Sunday morning following a heart attack. He was to celebrate his 57th birthday on November 22.

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta says Gadhvi remains the same great guy he knew from his schooling days in South Mumbai, where the latter used to stay.

“We worked together for Sippy Films. He was assisting Anant Balani, who also is no more, I was doing sound designing for Patthar Ke Phool. Even after he achieved success with films like Dhoom and Dhoom 2, he remained the same genuinely wonderful person he always was.”

The Mumbai Saga director shares he will remember his namesake for his personality and his energy. “He was always positive, a nice person. I never saw him stressed about anything.”

Rahul Dev remembers Gadhvi for being welcoming and helpful even before they collaborated on Kidnap. The actor, who was looking to return to work after a break, met the director at his home. “He couldn’t get me any work at that time as he was going through a process of introspection. He had been working on a film but that didn’t take off as planned. Yet, he gave me two hours of his time, speaks a lot of his helpful, kind and patient nature,” reminisces the actor who also worked with the director on his last venture, Operation Parindey.

The making of the 2020 film that released on Zee5 was testing times just before the pandemic. Dev recalls, “We had gone to Punjab to shoot it. Seeing him direct, I used to wonder why he wasn’t doing work more prolifically. He was too good a director to have done only that number of films. After all, he had made films like Dhoom and Dhoom 2.”

The actor reveals that the director connected with him for their third project together. “He was dabbling with another interesting subject. Unfortunately, it didn’t see the light of day as he couldn’t start it.”

Dev shares that the most incredible aspect about Gadhvi as a director was his sense of shot-taking. “We’ve seen both, Dhoom and Dhoom 2. I worked with him on a big budget film like Kidnap and a small-budgeted project like Operation Parindey, in which the crane shot is enough to tell you how he knew what to make and how to mount it. He was tech-savvy to make small films look like they were made on a big scale.”

The actor shared that the director was a very nice and kind guy. “Often times, people say good things about those after they are no longer around us. Gadhvi was one of those genuinely nice guys everyone spoke good about all the time.”

Mumbai: Director Sanjay Gadhvi, whose action films ‘Dhoom’ and ‘Dhoom 2’ took GenNext by storm, died after reportedly suffering a heart attack during his morning walk on Sunday. He took ill at his apartment building Green Acres in Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri, and was taken to Kokilaben Ambani Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.

Gadhvi was 56 years of age and about to celebrate his 57th birthday three days later on November 22. He is survived by wife Gina and two daughters. His older daughter Sanjina told PTI, “He passed away at 9.30 am this morning at his residence. We are not sure what it is, but it is most likely a heart attack. He wasn't unwell. He was perfectly healthy.” The final rites will be performed at Oshiwara crematorium at 10.30am on Monday.

Gadhvi made his first film ‘Tere Liye’ in 2000 which met a lukewarm response. However, his fortunes turned with the action thriller ‘Dhoom’ (2004) and later ‘Dhoom 2’ which starred Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham in the first movie and Hrithik Roshan in the second.

The director also won acclaim for ‘Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai’ and ‘Kidnap’. In 2012, he directed ‘Ajab Gazabb Love’ and made ‘Operation Parindey’ in 2020.

His actors and crew members expressed shock at his death. Hrithik Roshan said, “Deeply saddened by the loss of my dear friend Sanjay Gadhvi. Forever grateful for the moments we shared. He was instrumental in bringing out the Aryan in me. Couldn't have done it without him. Rest in peace my friend. You will be missed.”

John Abraham wrote, “(I) remember the times I spent with you on the film closest to my heart, Dhoom. May the angels always ride with you. Rest in peace.”

Abhishek Bachchan posted two photographs and said he had spoken to Gadhvi just last week. He said, “I took this photo of Sanjay whilst we were filming the climax of Dhoom 2 in South Africa. We made two films together Dhoom and Dhoom 2. Sanju, when I spoke to you last week and we were reminiscing about our shoots and memories I would never have imagined even in my craziest dreams that I would have to write a post like this.”

He added, “I'm shocked beyond belief. You had faith in me, even when I didn't. You gave me my first ever hit! I can never ever forget that or be able express what it meant to me. I will cherish your friendship always. Rest in peace my brother.”

Actor-director Viveck Vaswani said, “RIP. He started his career with me, assisted me, even when there was no film. The struggle to get ‘Patthar Ke Phool’ made was a battle in which he was an active participant. We saw movies daily, we talked about Manmohan Desai, Yash Chopra, Hrishikesh Mukherjee.”

After making a successful debut with Ishq Vishk, which marked the acting debut of Shahid Kapoor, Ken Ghosh followed up with the romantic thriller, Fida, and the dance drama, Chance Pe Dance.

The last film was a debacle and eight years later, Ken returned on the digital platform. “Films are boring, very boring, as compared to OTT. You go back to the same circle of writing a script with an interval, the occasional songs and a climax. I’m happy directing web shows, but never say never,” he laughs.

After winning a National Award for the cop drama, Sarfarosh, which opened in ’99, John took six years to complete Shikhar. But while Sarfarosh is still remembered for Aamir Khan’s performance and the gripping narrative, Shikhar, despite the presence of Ajay Devgn and Shahid Kapoor, was not a patch on it. His third film, A New Love Ishtory, with Himesh Reshammiya, after a long delay, had a small release in 2013. After that John has disappeared, with stray rumours of him scripting a Sarfarosh sequel for John Abraham. The writer-director however admits that nothing is happening on the direction front at the moment. “I am working on multiple scripts and hoping to start one,” he says shortly.

Arbaaz Khan took forward the Dabangg sequel and Part 2 resonated with the audience. “There was an opportunity to direct Dabangg 3 too, but Salman and I wanted a fresh outlook so decided to go with an outside director,” shares Arbaaz, who is concentrating on acting and production for the moment.

“I don’t know when I will direct my next film, but it will happen. And it need not be a big film, it can be small too,” he points out.

In 2010, Dabangg, directed by Anurag Kashyap’s younger brother Abhinav, went on to rewrite box-office history with Salman Khan’s Robinhood cop, Chulbul Pandey.

Abhinav turned down the sequel and went on to direct Besharam with the Kapoors, Rishi, Neetu, and Ranbir. It was a disaster and no one has heard of Abhinav since.

When Mirror called, he rang off abruptly, saying, “I don’t talk to the media.” Ah well, we just wanted to know when he’d be back in action.

Rajiv Rai ruled the ’90s with blockbusters like Tridev, Mohra, Vishwatma and Gupt, then, went into a sabbatical following personal setbacks. He tried to return with Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat and Asambhav but they tanked and Rajiv vanished again.

“I didn’t want anyone to lose money on my films; the break was a calculated decision as I’d got complacent. I self-isolated myself, and in the last 15 years have penned multiple ideas and two scripts. I’ll be back soon. I’m planning a film now,” he promises.

With Dhoom and Dhoom 2 Sanjay Gadhvi gave Bollywood one of its biggest action franchises. Followed by another action thriller, Kidnap, then, a romcom, Ajab Gazabb Love, with Jackky Bhagnani. Then, he went into hibernation. “I refused 23 films since 2011 and bravely waited out the lean period. There are talks of a feature film right now in a space that excites me. I have my fingers crossed,” he exults.