Sunny Deol’s family is currently going through an emotional phase as they continue to care for Dharmendra, who is undergoing treatment at home. Amid this, Sunny Deol—who has been active in films ever since his debut in the 1983 film Betaab—is busy working on multiple projects. However, an incident from one of his earlier films has once again become a talking point. During the shoot of his 1992 action film Vishwatma, two actors were arrested in Kenya after unknowingly violating strict local rules at 2 a.m.
Vishwatma, directed by Rajiv Rai and produced by Gulshan Rai, featured Sunny Deol alongside Naseeruddin Shah, Chunky Pandey, Divya Bharti, and Sonam. The movie was largely filmed in Kenya, making it one of the first Indian films to be shot extensively in the country. Recently, the director shared the story behind the unexpected trouble the cast faced during the shoot.
Rajiv Rai revealed that shooting the film almost turned into a survival challenge. Since the story required the villain to escape abroad, Africa—specifically Kenya—was chosen as it was cost-effective and better connected through the director’s personal contacts. With the support they received locally, major action sequences were filmed across Nairobi and Mombasa. But what the team wasn’t prepared for were Kenya’s extremely strict nighttime rules. According to the director, walking around in Nairobi after dark was risky. Even carrying a few dollars could get someone into trouble. The actors would keep just 10–15 dollars on them to buy small items, but getting caught with money at night could lead to severe consequences. The director even mentioned that the military wouldn’t hesitate to shoot if someone appeared suspicious.
The real trouble began when two actors went out for a walk around 2 a.m., unaware of the local restrictions. They were immediately detained by authorities for violating nighttime rules. With armed military present everywhere, such arrests were taken very seriously. Fortunately, the Indian co-producers stepped in and used their local connections and political contacts to resolve the situation. The actors were eventually released with a stern warning. Rajiv Rai, however, did not disclose the names of the two actors involved.
