Mumbai police have filed an accidental death report, with Deputy Commissioner Purushottam Karad informing the Free Press Journal that no foul play is suspected. Gupta's friend and collaborator, director Milap Zaveri, confirmed the details, stating, "It is true that he passed away. He fell and hit his head."
Gupta carved a distinctive niche in Hindi cinema, known for infusing a slick, Hollywood-inspired visual sensibility into a landscape often dominated by melodrama and musicals. His films were characterized by their glossy production, intense action sequences, and intricate crime narratives, setting a new benchmark for the genre in India.
His directorial journey began in 1994 with 'Aatish: Feel the Fire,' which marked the start of a prolific and enduring professional relationship with actor Sanjay Dutt, spanning over ten films. However, it was the 2002 heist thriller 'Kaante' that propelled him to widespread recognition. Featuring an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan and Sanjay Dutt, the film, set in Los Angeles, drew significant attention for its stylistic parallels to Quentin Tarantino’s 'Reservoir Dogs.' Despite the comparisons, Tarantino himself later expressed admiration for 'Kaante,' a testament to Gupta's unique vision.
Throughout his career, Gupta openly embraced the influence of international cinema. Responding to accusations of plagiarism in a 2002 Rediff interview, he famously stated he would "beg, borrow and steal from any medium" in pursuit of a compelling story. This philosophy was evident in films like 'Musafir' (2004), which shared similarities with Oliver Stone’s 'U Turn,' and the highly debated 'Zinda' (2006), which sparked controversy for its resemblance to Park Chan-wook’s South Korean cult classic 'Oldboy.' He later officially adapted another Korean thriller, 'Seven Days,' into 'Jazbaa' (2015), starring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.
Beyond directing, Gupta was also a formidable producer, establishing White Feather Films. Under this banner, he produced notable projects such as 'Shootout at Lokhandwala' (2007) and its prequel, 'Shootout at Wadala' (2013), further solidifying his reputation in the gangster genre. His more recent directorial efforts included 'Kaabil' (2017), a Hrithik Roshan-starrer, and the crime drama 'Mumbai Saga' (2021).
The news of his passing has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the industry. Actor Sanjay Dutt, a longtime friend and collaborator, shared his grief, saying, "Gupts, my brother. I still cannot believe that you are gone. You have always been family to me." Director Rahul Dholakia praised Gupta as a stylish filmmaker, while Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty lamented the loss of "one of the sanest voices from mainstream Hindi cinema."
Prior to his untimely death, Gupta was actively engaged with his audience on social media and had even begun discussions about a potential sequel to his blockbuster 'Kaante.' He revealed on the 'InControversial' podcast earlier this year that the story for 'Kaante 2' was being developed, a project that now, sadly, will remain unfulfilled. Sanjay Gupta is survived by his wife and two children.