Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 12, 2017)

Sanjay Dutt might be clocking in 12 hours a day owing to the promotions of his upcoming film, Bhoomi. But it’s family first for the actor — a promise that stands all the more true when it comes to his father, late Sunil Dutt. We hear, the actor has requested the producers of Bhoomi to allow him a day off to perform shradh for his father. On September 13, Dutt, his wife Manyata, along with their children Iqra and Shahraan, will be heading to Assi Ghat in Banaras to perform a special puja.

While Dutt understood that the promotional activities are at their peak, given that the film is barely 10 days away from release, he did not want to miss out on the period of Pitra Paksha. His sisters, Namrata and Priya, are also said to be accompanying him to the holy city.

A source from the production house informs, “Baba has been going the extra mile in ensuring that the film is well-promoted. The producers were more than happy to accommodate his request, especially since it was of sentimental value to Baba.”

When mid-day reached out to producer Bhushan Kumar, he confirmed the development, saying, “This is an important time for Dutt saab. He felt he must perform this puja as his tribute to Sunil Dutt ji.”

The film’s team including Aditi Rao Hydari, director Omung Kumar and producers Kumar and Sandeep Singh will also travel with Dutt. Singh says, “For Baba, it is an emotional time and he wants to remember his father in a special way.”

Dutt’s fondness for his father is well-known. It was said that he had expressed his wish to play the role of his father in the Rajkumar Hirani-directed biopic.

Dutt remained unavailable for comment.