Mumbai, Dec 13 (IANS) Director Sanjay Gupta is an angry man. And the cause of his anger is a report in a tabloid that claimed he had replaced buddy Sanjay Dutt with small-time actor Vishwajeet Pradhan in 'Alibaug'.

A livid Gupta, holidaying in Pune, rushed back to Mumbai for some serious damage control.

'How can they even talk like this? This guy plays the walk-on part of Amrita Singh's husband in the story 'Poornamashi' in my 'Dus Kahaniyan'. If I've to replace Sanju, which I'd never dream of doing, it has to be someone of Sanju's stature,' Gupta told IANS.

Gupta says the whole rumour originated from Pradhan standing in for Dutt in one particular shot.

'We needed someone with Sanju's build for a crucial long shot. Pradhan fitted the bill. Beyond that, this guy has no authority or stature to replace Sanju.'

'Come to think of it, nobody in the industry has the stature to stand up to Sanju. He's the main protagonist in 'Alibaug'. The entire drama unfolds through Sanju's character. How can I replace him? There's no 'Alibaug' without Sanju,' said Gupta emotionally.

He adds: 'At a time when my relations with Sanju are being put under a lot of strain, the last thing I need is more trouble.'

Sanjay Dutt, who was sent to jail this year in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts, is now out on bail.