After more than a decade since the release of Son of Sardaar (2012), plans for its sequel, Son of Sardaar 2, are underway. The sequel was set to feature Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt reprising their roles in an exciting face-off. However, recent reports suggest a significant change in the casting lineup.
According to Mid-day, Sanjay Dutt has been replaced by actor Ravi Kishan due to a visa issue. The Son of Sardaar 2 shoot is set in Scotland, but Sanjay Dutt's UK visa application was denied due to his criminal record from the early '90s. A source close to the production explained, “Since his 1993 arrest, Sanjay has traveled to the US but has been unsuccessful in obtaining a UK visa.
This project was supposed to be his first trip to the UK. However, upon learning about the visa rejection, the team decided to replace him with Ravi Kishan.” The source also addressed concerns about Sanjay Dutt's involvement in Housefull 5, another film set to shoot in London.
The insider clarified, “For Housefull 5, producer Sajid Nadiadwala has opted for a different strategy. While the main cast will film in London, all of Sanjay's scenes will be shot in Mumbai, avoiding any visa complications.” Sanjay Dutt's legal troubles trace back to his arrest under TADA and the Arms Act in April 1993.
He was convicted for possessing illegal firearms linked to the 1993 Bombay bombings and was sentenced to five years in prison. After various legal proceedings and serving his term, Dutt was released in 2.