Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, Known for 'Kaante' and 'Kaabil', Dies at 59 After Fall at Home

Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, best known for directing Kaante and Kaabil, died at his residence in Versova, Mumbai, late on Friday. He was 59.

Police said Gupta suffered a head injury after a fall at home and have registered an accidental death report in connection with the incident. Such a report is a routine step taken by police when a death results from an accident, to establish the circumstances and cause of death; it does not by itself suggest any suspicion of wrongdoing.

The news was confirmed by filmmaker Ashoke Pandit on social media. In a post, he wrote: "It's really shocking and sad. Just got the news that our dear friend and ace director Sanjay Gupta is no more. He passed due to a head injury at home. Another talent gone too soon. He was a wonderful narrator, full of life persona and a passionate filmmaker. A great loss to our industry. Will miss you my friend. Condolences to his family and dear ones. Om Shaanti."

Gupta was cremated at the Versova cremation ground near Yari Road Junction in Mumbai. His last rites were attended by family members, friends and several members of the film fraternity.

Among those who paid their last respects were actors Abhishek Bachchan, Manoj Bajpayee and Rajpal Yadav, filmmaker Rakesh Roshan, casting director Mukesh Chhabra, producers Bhushan Kumar, Ratan Jain and Ganesh Jain, and director Vivek Agnihotri.

Gupta was among the directors associated with the glossy, star-driven Hindi cinema of the 2000s. He is most widely remembered for Kaante (2002), which starred Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty. He also produced several films, including Shootout at Lokhandwala.

In 2017, Kaabil, starring Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam, became his most successful film as a director. His later works included Mumbai Saga in 2021 and The Miranda Brothers in 2024, starring Harshvardhan Rane.

Tributes from colleagues described him as a filmmaker with a distinct visual style and a warm presence on set. The family has not announced any further details about memorial arrangements.

Gupta is survived by his family. He was 59.