KGF: Chapter 2 gave Sanjay Dutt what he loves most about cinema — larger-than-life characters. In Adheera, he found an unpredictable villain, one he describes as an “emotionless guy”. For Dutt, who is all heart on screen and off it, playing a heartless man surely doesn’t come easy. “When you are handed such a strong role, you have to work on it with all you’ve got. I followed the director’s [Prashanth Neel] vision for this character. We designed his look first. I gave a lot of suggestions to enhance the character,” he says.

Dutt notes that Adheera, the antagonist to Yash’s all-powerful protagonist, is a complex part. “He is menacing, but at the same time, humane [to some]. A lot of how Adheera has shaped up is from the energy that Yash and I brought to each scene. What a talent he is!”

While Dutt has largely adapted to the changing dynamics of the industry, he admits that films have altered drastically in the last few years. “We have forgotten that cinema is explosive and larger than life. Where are the action movies with [dynamic] heroes? The heroism of Hindi films makes it flavourful. As an industry, we should look at the mass centres. Making the audiences hoot and celebrate is the motto.”

In 2020, he was diagnosed with lung cancer when he was shooting for the actioner. After undergoing extensive treatment, the actor resumed work. He admits that the makers were extremely accommodating as he filmed through the most difficult period of his life. “They did everything they could to make me comfortable. They suggested we shoot it against a green screen. But as an actor, shooting this film correctly was important to me. We had a grand vision for it. The climax had to be mounted on a large scale. It was a difficult climax — there was mud, dust, fire and a lot of action. I couldn’t have done that shoot without their help.”

Battling cancer can alter one’s life perspective. Dutt, with his trademark optimism, says he has bounced back with renewed energy. “I am back with renewed enthusiasm. It doesn’t take me down. I got by, thanks to my fans’ prayers.”