In a surprising turn of events, veteran actor Vijay Raaz has been dismissed from the ongoing UK shoot of the highly-anticipated film ‘Son of Sardaar 2’. Both Raaz and producer Kumar Mangat have put forth contrasting accounts regarding the reasons behind this decision, which has already stirred considerable controversy in the entertainment world.
The much-awaited sequel to the 2012 hit ‘Son of Sardaar’, starring Ajay Devgn, Mrunal Thakur, and Ravi Kishan, has faced a series of hiccups. After losing Sanjay Dutt due to visa issues, the production encountered another setback with the removal of Raaz. The producer Kumar Mangat attributes the decision to Raaz’s alleged rude behavior, exorbitant demands, and a general lack of cooperation.
**Producer’s Perspective: Unreasonable Demands and Misconduct**
Mangat, in an interview with Pinkvilla, didn’t mince words regarding Raaz’s conduct. “Yes, it’s true that we have removed Vijay Raaz from the film because of his behavior on the sets,” he confirmed. According to Mangat, Raaz’s demands were not only financially burdensome but also unreasonable given the constraints of shooting abroad.
“He demanded bigger rooms, a vanity van, and exorbitant charges for his spot boy—Rs 20,000 per day, which is more than most leading actors. UK is an expensive place, and everyone received standard accommodations, yet he insisted on premium suites. When we explained the costs, he reacted rudely and uncooperatively,” Mangat stated. Raaz reportedly made things more difficult by insisting, “You were the ones who approached me; I didn’t come to you asking for work,” whenever the crew tried to explain the budgetary restrictions to him.
It wasn’t just the demands for accommodations and transportation that infuriated the production team. Mangat added, “His behavior kept deteriorating. He demanded two cars for a three-person staff and would not engage constructively when approached about these matters.”
**Vijay Raaz’s Defense: Alleged Snub and Misunderstandings**
In contrast, Vijay Raaz shared a significantly different story. According to him, his dismissal was rooted in an entirely different issue—his failure to greet the leading star, Ajay Devgn, on the first day of shooting. Raaz recollected, “I reached the location early and met actors Ravi Kishan, executive producer Ashish, producer Kumar Mangat, and director Vijay Arora. I saw Ajay Devgn standing about 25 meters away and chose not to greet him as he appeared busy. Just 25 minutes later, Mr.
. Mangat approached me and said, ‘You can leave the film, we are removing you’.”
He defended his request for a larger room, explaining, “I needed the space to do yoga in the morning. I have been in the industry for 26 years; can’t I make this demand?” Raaz felt that his only transgression was not greeting Ajay Devgn. “I didn’t even meet the entire crew. The only people I spoke to were the ones who met me upon my arrival. To say I was removed for misconduct is baseless. These are powerful people, and talk of my misbehavior just doesn’t hold water.”
**Sexual Harassment Allegations: Adding Fuel to the Fire**
Matters escalated further when Kumar Mangat disclosed another disturbing issue involving Raaz’s team. A member of Raaz’s team was accused of sexually harassing a hotel employee. “Imagine working with such a demon in the team. We received an official email from the hotel about the complaint, and strict action will be taken. We are relieved to disassociate ourselves from Vijay Raaz and such individuals,” stated Mangat.
Raaz categorically denied any connection to the harassment incident, arguing that the timeframe between his removal and the alleged incident didn’t align. “There’s a gap of nearly 10 hours between my removal at 2 pm and the harassment incident at 11 pm. I have nothing to do with it, and I am no longer working with the spot boy involved,” Raaz insisted.
**The Impact on ‘Son of Sardaar 2’**
‘Son Of Sardaar 2’ is the sequel to the successful 2012 film ‘Son of Sardaar,’ which starred Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, and Sanjay Dutt. The sequel promises an exciting cast with Mrunal Thakur opposite Ajay Devgn, and replacements like Ravi Kishan for Sanjay Dutt. Following Raaz’s exit, Sanjay Mishra has been roped in as his replacement.
While the shoot continues in the UK, the off-screen drama surrounding ‘Son of Sardaar 2’ adds an air of unpredictability to the project. Fans of the franchise and observers in the entertainment industry will undoubtedly keep a close watch on further developments as the production progresses.
