Given Rajkumar Hirani’s enviable and foolproof track record of giving movies that enlighten and entertain at the same time, I had decided much before the film’s release to watch it on the first day. I tried my best to stay away from social media takeaways on the film. But did Sanju live up to the hype that the makers built around it for the past three months? To a certain extent, yes.
Featuring Ranbir Kapoor as the notorious Sanjay Dutt whose body of work is as vast as the tumultuous life he has led, Sanju is another fine attempt by the director, which is probably his most subtle film yet where he doesn’t exactly bow down to satisfying the masses. This isn’t to say he has made a slow, boring film. Delivering a film devoid of entertainment is an idea alien to the Hirani brand of filmmaking.
However, those looking for the rise, fall and rise of Sanjay Dutt are bound to be disappointed. The film isn’t about the actor or performer. It isn’t even about Baba’s friends from the industry or his personal relationships with actresses or equation with any co-stars. Except Sanjay Dutt and his father, the film steers clear of talking about any people from the film fraternity. This was a wise decision from Hirani to stay away from any unwanted controversies and dragging names of people who had nothing to do with Hirani’s vision. It’s ultimately all about Dutt: the irresponsible, immature and selfish brat who was, nevertheless, a doting son and a caring friend somewhere.
The first half is casual and languid, and while the portions are entertaining and engrossing(good writing by Hirani and Abhijat Joshi), it works more as a poignant story about a guy battling drugs rather than the comic sequences which appear contrived and lame(a character’s death sequence is treated in slapstick comedy fashion). This is, however, a finely paced half which provides a good peek into a character who goes to extreme lengths for his addiction and then fights back ferociously to come out of it.
The second half focuses on the terrorism charges he was faced with and how he copes up with the ugly muck he finds himself in. Equal screen time is given to Paresh Rawal’s Suni Dutt who stands by and watches his son’s life falling prey to trying times while also giving enough support whenever needed. Sunil Dutt is placed on a pedestal by Hirani as a strong man who works as a force in Sanju’s life, not letting him go astray but not controlling him either.
This requires a brave effort from the director and more from Sanjay Dutt himself who exposes himself completely for the world to see. A lot of explanations are given for the Bombay riots and Dutt’s involvement in them, and somewhere in between Hirani also presents a sharp critique of how a media plays a big role in branding someone without being aware of even half the truth.
As mentioned above, the film is certainly a well-told story where Hirani plays it matter of fact. This is not an insanely entertaining piece of cinema nor does it aspire to be. A few scenes are sappy and melodramatic, but they are overshadowed by others which bring a lump to your throat and are sentimental enough to make you reach out for your hankerchief. Ranbir does very strongly as Sanjay Dutt and proves why he is at the top among his contemporaries. His act is very Baba-like, but in an effort to mimic Dutt’s style, he doesn’t let go of his spontaneity and conviction as a performer. Paresh Rawal is equally outstanding as Sunil Dutt and his is a rather heartfelt act, making it tough to choose who among the two great actors(Ranbir and Paresh) is the better one. His helplessness as a father who has to remain strong and smiling to keep his son’s spirits high is to be seen to be believed. A majestic actor he is. And when we thought that was it, in comes Vicky Kaushal, playing Sanju’s Gujarati friend. He could have easily ended a caricature, but he infuses his character with such depth and likability that it is hard not to empathize with him.
Sanju doesn’t really elevate to become an instant classic. But it is consistently good and its writing has enough meat to keep you thoroughly engrossed. Of course I had high expectations, and it doesn’t meet them. But I watched a good story unfold, and that’s more than enough for a cinemaholic.