Directors of Saudi Production ‘7 Dogs’ Praise Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt Ahead of India Release

The Saudi Arabian action film 7 Dogs, which has already made waves in the West Asian market following its release this past May, is gearing up for its highly anticipated arrival in Indian theaters on August 21. As the film prepares for its domestic debut, directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah have shared behind-the-scenes insights into working with Indian cinema icons Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt.

Doing Their Homework

Before stepping onto the set with the two superstars, the directorial duo made a concerted effort to immerse themselves in the actors’ previous works. In a recent conversation with Variety India, Adil El Arbi revealed that they studied films like Bharat and Dhurandhar to gain a deeper understanding of the actors’ individual styles and cinematic range.

"We love history," El Arbi noted. "It was interesting to see the biography-style approach in Bharat, and we watched Dhurandhar to understand the kind of films Sanjay does. They aren’t just actors; they are people with a tremendous amount of experience. They breathe cinema—it’s in their blood."

The directors went as far as comparing the duo to global sports icons, stating, "When they come on set, they are like professional football players—Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. They were helping us create by doing things beyond the script. They were filmmakers themselves."

Recreating Mumbai in Riyadh

One of the most significant challenges for the production team was the logistical feat of recreating an authentic Mumbai street atmosphere while filming entirely in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The complexity was amplified by the directors’ decision to use a 360-degree camera, which captures everything in a scene simultaneously.

"It shoots everything around you. We were even in the shot at times," explained Bilall Fallah. "Normally, you shoot one way and then add the stunts. But due to the 360 aspect, the actors had to act and perform the stunts at once."

Fallah credited their Mumbai-born producer, Cyrus Patel, for ensuring the cultural authenticity of the sets. He also praised Khan and Dutt for their technical proficiency, noting that despite the intense 360-degree setup, the stars instinctively understood the camera’s placement and how to maneuver within it during high-octane sequences.

A Dedication to Realism

The directors highlighted the dedication of their leads, confirming that both Salman Khan and Sanjay Dutt performed their own stunts. For the filmmakers, the combination of professional work ethic and original action sequences makes 7 Dogs a standout cinematic experience.

With the film set to hit Indian cinemas on August 21, audiences can expect a unique collaboration that bridges Middle Eastern production standards with the star power of two of India’s most enduring action icons.