Sanjay Khanna's remarkable journey in the world of cinema commenced with a professional affiliation with the illustrious and celebrated director, Shekhar Kapur, who is renowned for his exceptional talent and innovative storytelling abilities.
Sanjay Khanna's professional trajectory took a significant turn when renowned filmmaker Shekhar Kapur entrusted him with the responsibility of completing the film "Dushmani", a project that brought together the talents of Sunny Deol and Manisha Koirala. Subsequently, Sanjay's impressive work on "Dushmani" caught the attention of Shekhar Kapur, who subsequently appointed him as the Chief Operating Officer (COO) for his production house, Quasar Films.
In this new capacity, Sanjay played a crucial role in overseeing the operations of Quasar Films, while also serving as the Associate Director for all commercials produced and directed by Shekhar Kapur. This extensive experience enabled Sanjay to hone his skills in commercial direction, a testament to his versatility as a filmmaker.
One of the most notable commercials directed by Sanjay during his tenure at Quasar Films was the "Force One Suv" advertisement, which featured the legendary Amitabh Bachchan in a starring role. Sanjay's ability to effectively collaborate with top talent and deliver high-quality work further solidified his reputation as a talented and accomplished filmmaker.
Sanjay's inaugural foray into directing was marked by the cinematic endeavour "Anth", a title that, in a fascinating irony, translates to the evocative and thought-provoking phrase "the end" in Hindi. This notable film boasted an impressive cast, featuring the talented Sunil Shetty, Somy Ali, and the accomplished Paresh Rawal. "Anth" went on to achieve a remarkable milestone at the box office, celebrating a silver jubilee with audiences and critics alike. Furthermore, the film garnered widespread recognition and acclaim, ultimately emerging as the year's recipient of the prestigious Filmfare Award for the "Best Action Film".
Sanjay's subsequent film endeavor was the highly anticipated "Shastra", which would ultimately be most notably remembered for its chart-topping soundtrack, featuring the incredibly popular and enduring song "Kya Ada Kya Jalwe Tere Paro". This particular song managed to maintain its position at the top of the charts for a remarkable almost a year, showcasing its immense appeal and popularity among music enthusiasts. Furthermore, this film marked the debut of the talented and successful singer Sunidhi Chauhan, as well as the writer Yunus Sejawal, providing them with a significant platform to showcase their skills. Following the success of "Shastra", Sanjay went on to direct another notable film, the action-comedy "Ittefaq", which would showcase his versatility as a director. He also ventured into the thriller genre with "Junoon", demonstrating his ability to effectively balance different genres and create engaging cinematic experiences.
Sanjay's foray into television was a significant milestone in his illustrious career, as he directed hundreds of episodes for numerous prominent channels, including Star TV, Zee TV, Sony TV, and Sahara One, showcasing his versatility and expertise in the medium. One of his most notable television endeavors was directing a special show for the renowned filmmaker Vikram Bhatt, titled "Specials at 10: Shauhrat Nafrat Aur Showbiz". This captivating mini-series tells the story of an aspiring Bollywood actress, tracing her journey from obscurity to stardom, and features a gripping narrative that kept audiences enthralled. The series received widespread critical acclaim, earning a nomination for "the best series" category at the prestigious Seoul Festival, and went on to win numerous television awards, cementing Sanjay's reputation as a talented and accomplished television director.
Sanjay's professional journey continued to unfold with a significant milestone, as he embarked on a new adventure by joining the esteemed Popcorn Entertainment, a company founded by the renowned Suniel Shetty. In his role as Creative Director, Sanjay was entrusted with the creative responsibility of overseeing the entire production process of all films under the Popcorn Entertainment banner. His expertise and artistic vision were instrumental in bringing numerous projects to life, and his innovative approach was particularly evident in the film EMI, which boasted an impressive star-studded cast featuring Sanjay Dutt, Arjun Rampal, and the captivating Mallaika Arora Khan. Moreover, Sanjay's exceptional skills were further showcased in his work on the film's soundtrack, as he skillfully captured the essence of the movie through his direction of the songs. Furthermore, Sanjay's impressive portfolio also includes the action-packed sequences he shot for the film "Loot", which starred the charismatic Govinda and the dynamic Suniel Shetty.
Sanjay, a highly accomplished professional, subsequently took on the esteemed role of Creative Head at Spectrum 7, a reputable Dubai-based advertising agency, where he had the opportunity to conceptualize and direct numerous international advertising films and corporate films that showcased his exceptional creative vision and expertise.
