Abhishek Bachchan, Rakesh Roshan lead film fraternity at Sanjay Gupta's last rites in Mumbai
Synopsis
Director Sanjay Gupta — the force behind 'Kaante', 'Zinda', and 'Kaabil' — was cremated at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai on 31 October, with Abhishek Bachchan, Rakesh Roshan, Manoj Bajpayee and others from the film industry present. Filmmaker Milap Zaveri, visibly grieving, announced he will dedicate his next film to Gupta, calling him his Godfather, Friend and Brother.
Key Takeaways
Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta's last rites were held at Pawan Hans Crematorium, Mumbai , on 31 October 2026 .
Abhishek Bachchan , Rakesh Roshan , Fardeen Khan , Manoj Bajpayee , and Milap Zaveri were among those who attended.
Gupta reportedly fell and hit his head on a kitchen counter on Friday night and was discovered by family on Saturday morning.
Filmmaker Milap Zaveri announced his next film will be dedicated to the late director, calling him his 'Godfather', 'Friend', and 'Brother'.
Gupta's notable films include 'Kaante' (2002) , 'Zinda' (2006) , 'Shootout at Wadala' (2013) , and 'Kaabil' (2017) .
The last rites of acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Gupta were performed at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai on Saturday, 31 October 2026, as members of the Hindi film industry gathered to pay their final respects to the director behind some of Bollywood's most distinctive action films.
Who Attended the Funeral
Actor Abhishek Bachchan, veteran director Rakesh Roshan, and actor Fardeen Khan were among the prominent names present at the crematorium. Actors Manoj Bajpayee and Rajat Bedi, alongside filmmakers Ashoke Pandit and Milap Zaveri, were also seen at the venue paying homage. Rohit Roy, Ronit Roy, and Gulshan Grover likewise turned up to bid farewell to the director during his final journey.
Milap Zaveri's Emotional Tribute
Filmmaker Milap Zaveri was visibly emotional upon arriving at Sanjay Gupta's residence before the funeral. He has announced that his next film will be dedicated to the late director, whom he fondly described as his 'Godfather', 'Friend', and 'Brother'. In a post on social media, Zaveri recalled his final meeting with Gupta: 'We met ten days ago and i told you the title of my next film. And you jumped in joy and said "Milap. The original film with the same title was produced by my father!!!" The joy i felt at that moment and the pride you felt in me is indescribable. That title. This film. Will be dedicated to you. I love you Guruji. I will always love you.'
How Sanjay Gupta Passed Away
According to reports, Sanjay Gupta reportedly fell and struck his head on the kitchen counter on Friday night, sustaining severe blood loss. His family — including his wife and two sons — were present in the house at the time but were asleep, and the filmmaker was discovered only on Saturday morning. The circumstances point to a tragic domestic accident.
A Legacy of Bold Bollywood Cinema
Over a career spanning more than two decades, Sanjay Gupta carved a niche in high-octane, stylised action cinema. His most celebrated works include 'Kaante' (2002), 'Musafir' (2004), 'Zinda' (2006), 'Shootout at Wadala' (2013), and 'Kaabil' (2017). Each of these films left a distinct imprint on the genre and underscored his eye for visceral, character-driven storytelling. His passing leaves a significant void in an industry where his brand of filmmaking had few peers.
As the industry mourns, tributes from colleagues and contemporaries continue to pour in, with Zaveri's public dedication of his next film standing as one of the most personal expressions of grief from within the fraternity.
Point of View
Not just obligation. Milap Zaveri's public dedication of his next film is striking: it suggests Gupta's influence operated more as mentorship than mere collaboration. Indian cinema rarely pauses to acknowledge its craftsmen the way it does its stars; the grief on display at Pawan Hans Crematorium is a reminder of how much of Bollywood's texture is shaped by directors who never become household names.
NationPress
31 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did filmmaker Sanjay Gupta die?
Sanjay Gupta reportedly fell and struck his head on a kitchen counter on Friday night, losing a significant amount of blood. His family, who were asleep at the time, discovered him only on Saturday morning, according to reports.
Where were Sanjay Gupta's last rites held?
His last rites were performed at Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai on Saturday, 31 October 2026. Members of the Hindi film industry attended in large numbers to pay their respects.
Which celebrities attended Sanjay Gupta's funeral?
Abhishek Bachchan, Rakesh Roshan, Fardeen Khan, Manoj Bajpayee, Rajat Bedi, Rohit Roy, Ronit Roy, Gulshan Grover, Ashoke Pandit, and Milap Zaveri were among those present at the crematorium.
What did Milap Zaveri say about Sanjay Gupta?
Milap Zaveri described Sanjay Gupta as his 'Godfather', 'Friend', and 'Brother', and announced he will dedicate his next film to the late director. In a social media post, he recalled their final meeting ten days before Gupta's passing, describing a joyful exchange about the title of his upcoming film.
What are Sanjay Gupta's most famous films?
Sanjay Gupta is best known for directing 'Kaante' (2002), 'Musafir' (2004), 'Zinda' (2006), 'Shootout at Wadala' (2013), and 'Kaabil' (2017), all of which are considered landmarks of Bollywood's action-thriller genre.
