Bollywood icon Sanjay Dutt created a wave of excitement in Nepal's capital as he visited the sacred Pashupatinath Temple for a special prayer ceremony on Friday, January 9. The actor's arrival in Kathmandu the previous evening, primarily to attend a casino inauguration, had already sparked considerable public anticipation across various age groups, showcasing his enduring stardom in the Himalayan nation.
A Spiritual Visit Amidst Tight Security
Visuals from the temple premises captured the 'Munna Bhai' star exiting the revered shrine dressed in a simple white attire. He was seen adorned with prayer malas and a traditional 'angavastra' draped over his shoulders. The visit, however, was not a quiet affair. Dutt was surrounded by heavy security personnel managing a massive and enthusiastic crowd of fans who had gathered for a glimpse of their favourite actor.
Dutt's Cinematic High with Back-to-Back Releases
The temple visit coincides with a successful phase in Sanjay Dutt's prolific career, marked by consecutive theatrical releases. He is currently riding high on the success of 'Dhurandhar', directed by Aditya Dhar. The film, starring Ranveer Singh in the lead, features Dutt in the role of a stern police officer, SP Chaudhary. With a stellar supporting cast including Akshaye Khanna, R Madhavan, and Arjun Rampal, 'Dhurandhar' has smashed multiple box office records, establishing itself as a major blockbuster.
Simultaneously, another major release featuring the actor, 'The Raja Saab', opened in theatres on the same Friday, January 9. In this film, Dutt shares screen space with pan-India star Prabhas and portrays a sinister and manipulative hypnotist. The project, directed and written by Maruthi, is produced by People Media Factory and IVY Entertainment and also stars Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, Nidhhi Agerwal, and Riddhi Kumar.
Prabhas Heaps Praise on Dutt's Screen Presence
Co-star Prabhas had previously expressed his admiration for Dutt's powerful aura. Talking about Dutt's performance in 'The Raja Saab', Prabhas remarked, "Sanjay sir... just your screen presence is more than enough. When they put a close-up on you, you completely consume the screen. When I watched his scenes during dubbing, I started forgetting my own scenes." This endorsement highlights the respect and impact Dutt commands within the film industry.
Sanjay Dutt's visit to Nepal underscores his significant fan following beyond India's borders. His blend of spiritual devotion and continued professional success paints the picture of a star who remains deeply connected to his roots and his audience, even as he enjoys new cinematic triumphs.
