7 Dogs Filmmakers Compare Salman Khan to Will Smith and Praise Sanjay Dutt
Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have shared insights into their experience working with Indian cinema stars Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt for the upcoming international action thriller 7 Dogs. The filmmaking duo, widely recognized for helming installments in Hollywood’s Bad Boys franchise, commended both actors for their commanding presence, instincts, and deep understanding of action-driven filmmaking.
What Happened
In an interview with PTI, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah detailed their creative interactions with Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt on the set of their cross-border action project 7 Dogs. The feature brings together talent from Indian, Egyptian, Italian, and American film industries, starring Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz in central roles alongside Monica Bellucci and Giancarlo Esposito.
Reflecting on Salman Khan’s presence, Adil El Arbi compared his on-set aura to that of Will Smith, with whom they collaborated on the Bad Boys franchise. El Arbi observed that Khan carries an undeniable charisma, noting that something transformative occurs as soon as the cameras begin rolling. He explained that Khan rapidly understands the technical and emotional demands of a sequence before contributing his own distinctive creative interpretation, likening the process of watching him work to an insightful filmmaking masterclass.
Co-director Bilall Fallah highlighted Khan’s spontaneous contributions, which often came to light during the post-production editing phase. Fallah explained that upon reviewing recorded takes, the editorial team discovered unprompted touches and one-liners introduced by Khan on set that had previously slipped past immediate notice, adding memorable nuances to the finished scenes.
The directors also expressed admiration for Sanjay Dutt, who portrays Ranjeet, an operative within the Seven Dogs alliance involved in the distribution of the fictional synthetic substance Pink Lady in India. El Arbi mentioned that the creative team took interest in Dutt’s two-part spy thriller Dhurandhar following discussions regarding its success. He praised Dutt’s seasoned perspective on action cinema, observing that Bollywood action productions often exhibit an elaborate scale and technical complexity exceeding Hollywood standards. Fallah added personal reflections about spending time with Dutt in Mumbai, describing the actor’s hospitality, artistic sensibility, and expressing an eagerness to collaborate on future projects in India.
Additionally, the directors shared how their initial connection to Indian cinema originated with the film My Name Is Khan. Both filmmakers, who share Moroccan heritage and grew up as Muslims in Europe, noted that the film’s post-9/11 examination of identity and Islamophobia deeply moved them. Fallah stated an ambition to potentially direct a production uniting both Shah Rukh Khan and Will Smith in the future.
Key Highlights
- Directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah compared Salman Khan’s charisma and presence to Hollywood star Will Smith.
- Salman Khan plays Johar, a former Interpol officer assisting the lead characters in 7 Dogs.
- Bilall Fallah revealed that spontaneous one-liners and gestures from Khan were discovered during editorial reviews.
- Sanjay Dutt portrays Ranjeet, an alliance member dealing the fictional synthetic drug Pink Lady.
- The filmmakers commended the scale of Indian action cinema and stated they began watching Dutt’s spy series Dhurandhar.
- The directors recalled how My Name Is Khan introduced them to Indian cinema and voiced aspirations to collaborate with Shah Rukh Khan alongside Will Smith.
Why This Matters
The collaboration highlights the integration of prominent Indian actors into cross-continental cinematic ventures featuring diverse international casts and Hollywood directors. The commentary from Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah underscores the global artistic recognition of Bollywood stars and emphasizes the technical rigor and grand scale associated with Indian action filmmaking.
What to Watch Next
7 Dogs is scheduled for a theatrical release across India in both Hindi and English on August 21. The narrative follows Egyptian actor Ahmed Ezz as Interpol officer Khalid Al-Azzazi alongside Karim Abdel Aziz as Ghali Abu Dawood as they seek to dismantle a global criminal enterprise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What roles do Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt play in 7 Dogs?
Salman Khan portrays Johar, a former Interpol officer who aligns with the main characters, while Sanjay Dutt portrays Ranjeet, an Indian alliance member involved in the distribution of a fictional synthetic narcotic named Pink Lady.
When and where will 7 Dogs be released?
7 Dogs is set to debut in Indian cinemas on August 21, with releases planned in Hindi and English.
Who else stars in 7 Dogs?
The film’s international cast is led by Ahmed Ezz and Karim Abdel Aziz, featuring appearances by Monica Bellucci and Giancarlo Esposito alongside Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt.
Source: Information derived from an interview with PTI as reported by Bollywood Hungama.