Sanjay Dutt undeterred even after his aggressive lobbying failed to earn Baba a nomination in Golden Globes
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; December 12, 2019)

Earlier this year, Sanjay and Maanayata Dutt took many by surprise when they revealed their ambitious plan of taking their maiden Marathi production, Baba, to the Golden Globe Awards. Two days after the organisers of the prestigious awards gala announced the nominations, the actor-producer duo is undeterred that their offering did not find a place in the shortlist for the Best Foreign Film category.

"Coming this far has been a matter of pride for us," says Sanjay, before heaping praise on the film's team. "I am proud of Team Baba for a taking a shot at the Globes. We are overwhelmed with the response the film received. It boosts our confidence to produce regional cinema."

In October, Maanayata had travelled to Los Angeles to organise screenings of the Deepak Dobriyal-starrer for the members of the Golden Globes on the basis of which the jury selects films for the shortlist. "Baba is a tender father-son story, with no commercial trappings. Yet, I was convinced about the story, and knew I had to back the film," she says.

Maanayata Dutt canvasses support in LA for Marathi film, Baba
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; October 14, 2019)

Maanyata Dutt is back in Mumbai from Los Angeles after canvassing support for Baba, the first Marathi offering of Sanjay S Dutt Productions, the studio launched by Sanjay Dutt and her.

As the star husband was busy with his commitment, the actor's bestie Paresh Ghelani — the character portrayed by Vicky Kaushal played in Sanju (2018) — accompanied Maanayata on the all-important trip. She says, "The screening was for the members of the Golden Globes. It is on the basis of [such screenings] that the jury officially selects films for the shortlist. It is a proud moment for us to be part of the [run-up to the] foreign films' category."

Starring Deepak Dobriyal and Nandita Dhuri, the Marathi film received acclaim on its release earlier this year. "When we heard the story of Baba, we immediately agreed to produce the film. It is such a delicate story of a hearing-impaired father and his adopted son."

The producer is hopeful that the film will make it to the nominations' list at the Golden Globes, which will be held on January 5, 2020. "Besides running our production house, writing and art are also a passion with me," adds Maanayata, who is a hands-on producer.

Sources say Sanjay Dutt has cut down Marathi film to 90 minutes for the international awards gala, Golden Globes
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; August 1, 2019)

On his birthday, Sanjay Dutt had expressed his wish to make meaningful cinema under his recently launched banner, Sanjay S Dutt Productions. The actor is staying true to his word — mid-day has learnt that Dutt is planning to send his first Marathi production, Baba, to the Golden Globes 2020 to contend for the Best Motion Picture in a Foreign Language award. The emotional drama, that revolves around a father and son with Deepak Dobriyal playing the lead, will be edited to a runtime of 90 minutes for the international audience.

A source close to the development reveals, "The film isn't India's official entry but is being sent independently by the production house as Sanjay sir and wife Maanayata feel that the emotional story has a universal appeal. The movie that hits screens tomorrow currently stands at 132 minutes. Sanjay sir felt it would benefit from a shorter runtime in the international circuit as most foreign films are well under the 120-minute standard. So, the team is cutting a separate edit of 90 minutes for the awards committee. They will send the movie by mid-August to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) members, who will eventually decide on the shortlist."

mid-day reached out to the production house, which remained unavailable for comment.