MUMBAI: Balaji Motion Pictures and Sanjay Dutt Productions have inked a deal for production of nine films to be made over a period of three years.

Sanjay Dutt has roped in directors like David Dhawan, Anurag Basu, Milan Luthria, Sujoy Ghosh and Saurabh Kalra to direct movies for the banner. These movies will be funded and distributed by Balaji Motion Pictures. The budget of these nine films put together is said to be close to Rs 5 billion (Rs 500 crores).

Dutt will be acting in five – six films out of the nine that are being made. These films are currently under various stages of scripting and planning. In the film to be directed by Dhawan, Govinda, Ritesh Deshmukh and Dutt have been cast. On the other hand, Hirani’s film stars Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor and Dutt have been finalized. Luthria will be directing Revolver with Dutt. This movie was earlier to be made for Adlabs.

Speaking to Businessofcinema.com on the deal, Balaji Motion Pictures CEO Ramesh Sippy says, "Sanjay Dutt has lined up an impressive set of scripts with successful directors and stars for all his films. He is making quality films, which are not available at all."

At the time of filing the story, Sanjay Dutt Productions’ CEO Dharam Oberoi was not available for comment.