Sanjay Gupta Death: Anupam Kher Recalls His Last Meeting With Filmmaker, 'We Must Work Together'

Anupam Kher mourns filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, recalling his love for cinema, their last meeting and the unfinished plan to work together again.

Anupam Kher has penned an emotional note remembering filmmaker Sanjay Gupta following his sudden death. The actor, who was in Stockholm when he learnt about Gupta's passing, recalled their professional association, his friend's deep knowledge of cinema and a conversation about working together again that will now remain unfinished.

Gupta, known for films such as Kaante, Zinda, Shootout at Wadala, Jazbaa, Kaabil and Mumbai Saga, died after suffering a head injury following a suspected fall at his Mumbai residence. The Versova police have registered an Accidental Death Report and are looking into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Anupam Kher Remembers Sanjay Gupta's Love For Cinema

Taking to X, Anupam said the news was difficult to process because he always remembered Gupta as someone full of energy.

"Woke up in Stockholm to the heartbreaking news of my friend and director Sanjay Gupta's passing. It is difficult to imagine someone so full of life suddenly being gone," he wrote.

Anupam described Gupta as a filmmaker with a distinctive style and an enormous affection for cinema. He also remembered him as someone who could speak at length about films and whose enthusiasm for the medium was evident even in his social-media posts.

"Sanjay was a filmmaker with a distinctive style and an enormous love for cinema. He was an encyclopaedia of films. You could ask him practically anything about movies, and a conversation with him would remind you how much he loved the world he belonged to," Anupam wrote.

The two worked together in films including Kaante and Shootout at Wadala.

'Kher Saab, We Must Work Together'

Anupam also recalled Gupta's connection with his family. In his note, he said the filmmaker held a special place in their journey and referred to him as his son Sikandar Kher's first director.

The actor then remembered a line Gupta would often repeat whenever they met.

"'Kher saab, we must work together!' That was almost always his opening line whenever we met," Anupam wrote.

He said Gupta repeated the same words when they last met about a year ago.

"We always think there will be time. Another meeting. Another conversation. Another film. It hurts to know that this one will remain unfinished," he added.

Anupam also looked back on more personal memories, including Gupta's warmth, affection and a Holi celebration at the filmmaker's home.

"I remember his warmth, his affection, and a lovely Holi party at his home few years back. Those moments come back today, along with the sadness," he wrote.

Kaante And Shootout Films Among Anupam's Favourites

Anupam said Gupta's films would continue to preserve the voice he brought to Hindi cinema. He specifically named Kaante and the Shootout films among his personal favourites.

"His films will keep his distinctive voice alive. Kaante and the Shootout films remain among my favourites," he wrote.

Gupta made his directorial debut with Aatish: Feel the Fire in 1994 and went on to build a career largely associated with crime dramas, action films and stylised thrillers. His credits included Jung, Musafir, Zinda, Shootout at Wadala, Jazbaa, Kaabil and Mumbai Saga. His last directorial venture was The Miranda Brothers.

Several members of the film industry have mourned Gupta's death. Tusshar Kapoor remembered him as a director who lived life to the fullest, while Ashoke Pandit called him a passionate filmmaker and a wonderful narrator. Sanjay Dutt, Kajol, Raveena Tandon and others also paid tribute.

Anupam ended his note by returning to the line he associated most closely with his late friend.

"I will miss you, Sanjay. And I will miss hearing, 'Kher saab, we must work together!' Om Shanti."