Veteran actor Ranjeet became a household name during the 70s and 80s owing to his menacing villainous roles that defined an era of Hindi cinema. With his signature smirk, imposing screen presence, and effortless portrayal of antagonists, he dominated the screens as one of the most feared on-screen villains. From playing scheming criminals to ruthless gang lords, Ranjeet brought an unmatched flair to negative characters, making him a staple in classic Bollywood action and drama films.
In a recent interview, Ranjeet spilled the beans of a number of old stories including, the ugly fight between Shatrughan Sinha and Sanjay Khan that led to gunshots being fired and the police getting involved. Read on to know all he shared.
Ranjeet On Shatrughan Sinha & Sanjay Khan Fight
In a recent interview with senior journalist, Vicky Lalwaani, Ranjeet shed light on several old and spicy stories including the how and why behind the past headlines – ‘Murder was planned at Ranjit’s place’. He also revealed whether or not celebrated filmmaker Subhash Ghai being jailed for the same incident. . Talking about the entire Shatrughan Sinha-Sanjay Khan fight, which cumulated in guns being fired outside his place, Ranjeet said in a mix of Hindi and English, “I’ll tell you what happened – main toh eye witness tha.”
He continued, “I was with my girlfriend in my house. They – Prakash, Choudhry, Shatru – had this routine, once they packed up at a shoot they would come to my place and chill. Toh there was a party, at some socialite’s place at Napiency Road, which I was supposed to attend. Zeenat Aman, Sanjay Khan, Shatrughan Sinha and his whole gang were all supposed to be there. At that time, Sanjay was not doing good in business, and Zeenat had just started an affair. She was working in his film and managed their finance wagera.”
Talking about the incident that resulted in the gun firing, he stated, “Toh in that party Shatrughan Sinha ne Sanjay Khan ke gaal pe haath laga diya. Toh usne lafa maar diya, gaal pe haath kaun lagata hai yaar, it’s not the style, toh waha se bhadak gaye. Reena Roy was also there and she started yelling, ‘Tune usko mara.’ Toh woh baat badh gayi toh Abbaas (Sanjay) ne bola ki, ‘You want to say something? Let’s get out of here, it’s somebody’s party we don’t want to ruin it.’ Toh Sanjay, Bob Christo, Shatru aur 3-4 aadmi uth gaye.”
Ranjeet: Woh Desi Katte Hote Hai Na…
Adding that the incident took place around the time top producers has signed Shatrughan for Jwalamukhi following a fall-out with Amitabh Bachchan, Ranjeet said, “Jab pata laga ki Sanjay ne usko chata mar diya toh they came to my house – uss time pe, koi phone karke nahi aata tha and I was in my den. As I didn’t want them to see my friend, I stayed in. But a while later I heard a friend buzz me via the intercom and say, ‘Yaar woh goliyan chala rahe hai.’ Ultimately they went to his house and they fired shots and phir chale gaye.” He added, “Yahi log chala rahe the – Choudhry, Bipin aur 3-4 aadmi. Woh desi katte hote haina, not pointing but shooting in the sky saying, ‘Oye bahar nikal oye.’ Thodi aawaz aa rahi thi baaju se.”
He then revealed that he waited for the firing to stop and the guys to leave before taking his girlfriend out of his home. However, as soon as he got back he found Sanjay Khan at his residence. He said, “Wapas aaya toh dekha Sanjay baitha hua hai mere ghar pe, toh maine usse pucha, ‘What are you doing here?’ and he said, ‘Arey idiots, they’re bloody firing at my house in the 21st century, I found the casing.’ He was ready to file a case but I got him to calm down and asked if he would calm down if they apologised.”
Zeenat Aman Nikli Aur Saath Mein Ek Vakeel Bhi
Ranjeet then revealed that he called Shatrughan Sinha the next morning as well as Sanjay Khan to sort the issue. Ranjeet then revealed, “Mere bathroom se dhikha ki ek gaadi aa rahi thi aur Zeenat nikli saath mein ek vakeel bhi. Ab sab log sab jagah baithe hue hai, 5-6 toh Shatru ke the, baaki Prakash Mehra ke… Ab achanak se (police ke) sirens bajne shuru ho gaye, bohot police aa gayi, Abbaas ne phone kiya police ko ki sab log mujhe maarne aa rahe hai, mujhpe gang-up karne wale hai.”
He continued, “Toh ab police, ACP, sab paunche. Mere ghar pe police the. Toh jab Abbaas aaya bedroom se, woh ACP ko sab bata raha tha. Maine usko yeh role diya, aisa kiya, mai chahata toh mai bhi goliyaan chala sakta tha… Toh yeh baatien mai bohot late ho raha hu so I left for work and no police personnel stopped me. Par shyaam ko pata laga ki Dilip Kumar intervened and Prakash and Shatru ko le gaye thi police station. Next day paper me headline aaya, ‘Murder was planned at Ranjeet’s place.’”
Was Subhash Ghai Arrested?
Revealing whether or not filmmaker Subhash Ghai was arrested for the fight and ensuing gun firing, Ranjeet said, “Nahi nahi Subash Ghai jail nahi gaye the, Santacruz police station tak gaye the (He didn’t go to jail, he only went to Santacruz Police Station).”
Some of Ranjeet’s most prominent films include Rakhwala, Andheri Raat Mein, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Sharmilee, Dostana, The Burning Train and more. Aside from Bollywood, the senior star has also been part of Punjabi films such as Rab Ne Banayian Jodiyan, Maujaan Dubai Diyaan and Man Jeete Jag Jeet.
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