Sanjay Dutt speaks on working with Madhuri Dixit and ‘Sanju’ whitewashing his image

Actor Sanjay Dutt will be next seen in Abhishek Varman’s ‘Kalank’. The actor plays the role of Balraj Chaudhary in the period drama that also stars Madhuri Dixit, Sonakshi Sinha, Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan and Aditya Roy Kapur. In a recent interview about the film, he speaks up about his character, his equation with Madhuri Dixit, #MeToo allegations against Rajkumar Hirani and how ‘Sanju’ tried to whitewash his image.

Talking about his role in the film, he says, “Balraj Chaudhary is a great character. He’s very important to the narrative. The film is basically a love story that involves Varun, Alia and Aditya. 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.”

He also talks about collaborating with Madhuri Dixit after a long time. He says, “Yes, working with her is a pleasure. Madhuri is such a great actor. I’ve done many films with her, 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.”

When asked on the allegations of #MeToo against Rajkumar Hirani, he said, “I don’t believe it at all.”

Talking on his biopic ‘Sanju’, he said in the interview, “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.”

Sanjay also spoke about the film trying to whitewash his image. He said in the interview, “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.”

Sanjay Dutt has a jam-packed year with the shoot schedules of his home production, ‘Prasthanam’ in Lucknow, where he plays the leader of a political party in Uttar Pradesh. He also has to work on his upcoming films ‘Torbaaz’, ‘Panipat’, ‘Shamshera’, ‘Sadak 2’ and the promotions of his multistarrer ‘Kalank’ simultaneously.

Talking about that, Sanjay shares “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.”

Sanjay will be seen in a variety of roles such as an army officer, an Afghan king, billiards champion and a politician. The actor is leaving no stone unturned to nail his performances in all these films. In order to meet his deadlines, he has made changes in his lifestyle and is following a strict routine. Amidst all this, Sanjay Dutt also ensures he spares time for his family as he feels his family is his driving force.

Also Read: Madhuri Dixit calls Sanjay Dutt ‘Sir’ and his reaction is fantastic

Prateek Sur

Born a Movie Buff, working as a Film Critique and enjoying life as a Bollywood Reporter.

Email: editor@bollywoodbubble.com Phone: +91 8355910465