Filmmaker Hansal Mehta has paid an emotional tribute to the late director Sanjay Gupta, who passed away on 30 October 2026 at his residence in Mumbai, calling him his 'only boss' in the film industry and revealing that a Rolex gifted by Gupta is a keepsake he says he will never remove from his wrist. Mehta's heartfelt note, shared on social media, offers one of the most personal tributes to emerge following Gupta's sudden and tragic death.

A Bond Built on Friendship and Shared Passion

In his tribute, Mehta wrote: 'Not done, bro. Sanjay Gupta. Gups. My only boss in the film industry, perhaps. But more than that, a dear friend. We went through many lows and many highs together, and through all of it we shared a love for the good things in life.'

He recalled how Gupta was a constant presence through difficult times: 'He held my hand when I was at my lowest. We didn't exactly create magic together, but the time itself was an absolute blast.' Mehta also fondly remembered the shared pleasures — good food, films screened in Gupta's private theatre, books borrowed from his shelves, and 'endless parties.'

The Rolex That Now Carries a Memory

Among the most poignant details in Mehta's tribute was the mention of a luxury watch. 'My first and only Rolex came from him. Today it's the one memory of him I carry on my wrist, and I don't think I'll ever take it off,' Mehta wrote. The gesture underscores the depth of a friendship that went beyond the professional.

Who Was Sanjay Gupta

Sanjay Gupta made his directorial debut with 'Aatish: Feel the Fire' in 1994 and went on to build a career spanning more than three decades. He helmed several commercially prominent Hindi films, including 'Kaante', 'Musafir', 'Zinda', 'Shootout at Lokhandwala', 'Shootout at Wadala', 'Jazbaa', 'Kaabil', and 'Mumbai Saga'. His final directorial venture, 'The Miranda Brothers', was released in 2025.

Circumstances of His Death

According to reports, Gupta reportedly slipped in the bathroom during the night of 30 October and sustained a head injury at his Mumbai residence. Other individuals were reportedly present in the house, but his family members were allegedly unaware of the incident at the time. He was discovered the following morning, after which his family alerted the authorities. He is survived by his wife Anu and their two children, Dalai and Shivansh.

Mehta closed his tribute with a message to Gupta's family: 'I'm going to miss you more than I can say. The heavens are all set for a big party. Anu, Dalai and Shivansh, may God give you the strength to bear this terrible loss.' The Bollywood fraternity continues to mourn a filmmaker whose work defined an era of Mumbai action cinema.