EXCLUSIVE: No One Killed Jessica, Raid 2 director Raj Kumar Gupta REACTS to Indri whisky boycott calls: “I always go back to what Sabrina Lall said about Manu Sharma…”

By Fenil Seta -

April 17, 2025 - 12:30 PM IST

In 2021, Indri, an Indian single-malt whisky brand, made its debut and became one of the most loved alcoholic beverages across the country. It won several awards and is exported to Europe, the USA and Australia as well. However, earlier this year, it came to light that Indri is manufactured by Piccadily Distilleries, which is owned by none other than Manu Sharma, the man who was convicted for killing Jessica Lall in 1999. Once the Manu Sharma connection emerged, many on social media stressed that Indri should be boycotted. However, a section of the netizens believed that since he had finished his sentence, boycotting the whisky brand is uncalled for.

EXCLUSIVE: No One Killed Jessica, Raid 2 director Raj Kumar Gupta REACTS to Indri whisky boycott calls: “I always go back to what Sabrina Lall said about Manu Sharma…”

As part of promotions of the upcoming film Raid 2, Bollywood Hungama exclusively spoke to Raj Kumar Gupta, who made a film on the Jessica Lall murder case, No One Killed Jessica (2011), starring Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan. We asked him his views on this row.

Raj Kumar Gupta said, “Somebody forwarded the news to me. I was busy and hence, I couldn’t read about it in detail. However, I was reminded of Sabrina Lall’s (Jessica Lall’s sister) statement. This was a time when Manu Sharma was about to get bail. Somebody had asked Sabrina about her reaction and whether she’d like to oppose it. She replied that he paid for what he did and that he had completed his term. She had lost her own sister and yet, she had this forgiving nature. I felt it had a deeper meaning.”

He continued, “I don’t know whether this answers your question. But I always tend to go back to her answer.”

Raj Kumar Gupta added, “Forgiving is very subjective. It’s debatable but then it can’t be more personal to anyone but her since she lost her family member. And this is something that all of us should think about.” He further remarked, “I might have a different point of view than you. Yet, both of us can be right.”

In April 2021, Sabrina Lall told Humans Of Bombay, “14 years after, when he walked out of prison, there was no hate in my heart. I’m glad he was starting afresh just like I had. It was like a circle coming full, and I could see my Shona smiling down upon me as if to say, ‘You’ve fought a good fight, just let go now.’”

The same year, on August 15, Sabrina Lall passed away at the age of 53 due to a prolonged illness. Raj Kumar Gupta wrote a tribute about her then in Bombay Times. He stated, “I want to remember Sabrina as someone who fought her own fights, including an incredible one, against all odds and she WON. I want to remember her as a HERO, a REAL ONE!”

When Raj Kumar almost collaborated with Salman Khan

There was a time when Raj Kumar Gupta had planned a film with Salman Khan, called Black Tiger, based on the life of the Indian spy, Ravindra Kaushik. Raj Kumar said, “We were looking at making that film. I had the rights to the book but sadly, it expired. Later, I didn’t renew it. That’s where it ended. So, it was an issue of rights. Also, I got busy with Raid 2.”

Did he speak to Salman Khan while planning Black Tiger? He confirmed, “Yes, I had a meeting with him.” When asked if plans to renew the rights, he replied, “I have no such plans.”

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Will Raid 2 cross the Rs. 100 cr mark just like Raid? Raj Kumar Gupta reveals, “We do keep track of collections, but word of mouth is paramount”; opens up on his Stree 2 CONNECTION and mentoring the man behind Bollywood’s BIGGEST hit