‘Working with Madhuri was a pleasure’: Sanjay Dutt on reuniting with her in Kalank after 21 years

Sanjay Dutt is in one of the busiest phases of his career. The ’80s superstar, who lost time when he was incarcerated for procuring a weapon, took time to pick up the pieces of his career. He did a couple of indifferent films like Bhoomi (2017) and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2018) after he got out of prison. Once he had finished paying his re-entry fee, he managed a more promising slate. In candid Dutt style, he talks about the current chapter of his life. Over to Sanju.

You are busier than ever before...

Yeah, I really wanted this to happen. I made a couple of bad choices when I was released from jail. It was good that I took time and didn’t jump into anything. Then Kalank came in followed by Shamshera. Suddenly, there was Sadak 2 with (Mahesh) Bhatt saab, Ashutosh Gowariker’s Panipat. Recently, I signed Bhuj: The Pride of India. There are so many other movies in the pipeline. I’m really happy with the way things are working now.

How do you look at those mistakes?

I will not run down any film I did. Perhaps, my choice of subjects was bad. They weren’t in keeping with what people expected from me after I returned to movies post my prison term.

The actor with Madhuri Dixit in Kalank

While Kalank brings you back to the multi-starrers, it’s good to see that your character also stands out.

Balraj Chaudhary is a great character. He’s very important to the narrative. The film is basically a love story that involves Varun (Dhawan), Alia (Bhatt) and Aditya (Roy Kapur). However, Balraj is significant because the story revolves around his family. I’ve also moved in the right direction and have started playing characters that are more commensurate with my age and the way I am now. I guess, after completing the jail term I had to change my approach and choices.

While some think it may be too tall a comparison, many feel that after Amitabh Bachchan if anyone can play the patriarch of a family in mainstream Hindi cinema, it is only Sanjay Dutt.

I’d say that’s the biggest compliment anyone can give me, but honestly, I don’t come close to Amitji. He is someone whom we have all idolised while growing up. I’m nowhere close to him either on reel or in real.

Madhuri Dixit and you are collaborating after such a long time.

Yes, working with her is a pleasure (smiles). What is the time frame that we hadn’t met or seen each other? Two decades, perhaps a little more. Madhuri is such a great actor. I’ve done many films with her — Thanedaar (1990), Saajan (1991), Khalnayak (1993), Mahaanta (1997)… I can’t even recall in one go. So, to work with her again in that one scene that we did together in Kalank was amazing. She’s got that command as an actor. It’s a pleasure to share screen space with her after so many years. So much has gone past, people have matured. She herself comes across as such a matured actor.

What is your take on the younger actors like Varun Dhawan and Ranbir Kapoor, whom you’ve seen grow up in front of you?

I’ve seen Varun as a child. I have also seen his older brother Rohit as a young boy. I worked with their father, David (director David Dhawan) in so many movies. I’ve seen them grow up. It’s good to see this confidence in them. Working with them is an emotional thing for me. I feel so proud and there’s a bit of a ‘paternal’ kind of feeling towards these guys. It’s the same case with Ranbir.

Sanjay Dutt and Ranbir Kapoor in Sanju

Yes, Ranbir has admitted that he idolises you. He says he’s lucky to have played you in Sanju, Rajkumar Hirani’s biopic on you.

I know, Ranbir has told me this many a time. I’ve seen him grow up in front of me, here only in this very compound.  He would ride my bike, exercise here. Or just spend time chatting with me. I love that boy.

Dharma Productions was close to you when Yash Johar was around. Guess the feeling continues.

It’s a great production company. I love Karan (Johar). He is passionate about every film made by Dharma, not just the ones he directs. For him to have such faith in Abhishek Varman and give him such a colossal film to make is amazing. Abhishek, too, has done very well. He has a good team and they have brought this huge dream alive on celluloid. The way he has created the pre-Partition world is commendable. He’s done a really good job making this film.

Coming back to Sanju, you are perhaps the first actor to have a biopic made on you in your lifetime. Also, Ranbir is picking up awards for his portrayal of you.

I was extremely flattered, proud and humbled to see a biopic on me. It means I must have had a crazy life. Everyone knows I have overcome all the odds and come back. I think it’s a good story and Raju Hirani was the right person to direct it. It’s a sensitive issue.  I’m aware that a lot of people said it was an exercise in whitewashing. Frankly, it doesn’t matter. No one spends over Rs 50-60 crore to whitewash anyone’s image. My ‘whitewashing’ happened when the Supreme Court gave me a clean chit —  saying I am not a terrorist. Also, if the film didn’t have an element of truth, it wouldn’t have gone on to do a business of Rs 334.57 crore Surely, something in it struck a chord with the audience.

Ranbir and you are now working together in Shamshera. Is there any change in the equation between the two of you post the biopic?

Not at all. Ranbir worked so hard on Sanju. He did such a fantastic job of playing me. I’m proud of his performance. I’m loving the fact that both of us are in the same movie. He is the same kid I knew from the start.  Slightly older but still lovable.