Regardless of where he is in his career or his personal life, Sanjay Dutt has always been an open book. From time to time, he has looked within to gather the strength to get past the tall hurdles and achieve the goals he had set for himself. For instance, right now, he’s eager to bring machismo, swagger and larger-than-life characters back into vogue. In a chat with Bombay Times, the actor spoke about his character Adheera in KGF - Chapter 2, what drove him to make his debut in Kannada cinema after 40 years in Hindi films, braving cancer and more:

I don’t know what happened to me, but I felt that I was not taking care of myself adequately as a person and as an actor. I wondered why I was missing out on the one thing that I have loved doing all my life. The day I felt strongly about it, I went back to the gym. It’s extremely hard to go back after two-three years, but I pushed myself. It has been nearly two months now, and I feel good about myself already. I’ve another six months to go before I achieve what I am aiming for. It’s good to be in that headspace where I know that I can do this after what I went through with lung cancer. It’s also medically good for me. I was doing cardio exercises without much of a hassle, but I had to consult my doctors before taking any health and fitness supplements.

God has been kind to me. When it was detected, it was a kind of a jolt for my family and me. I knew I had to stay focussed and remember that I had to beat this. I was told about how chemotherapy would affect me before we went in for it.

I was kind of prepped about its side-effects like hair loss, vomiting and weakness. I was sure I wasn’t going to let the toxins get the better of me. So, after every session, I used to come back home and spin on the cycle machine for two hours. I would get the excess toxins out. When I would get chemotherapy done in Dubai, I would play badminton for two hours and follow a healthy diet. The only way I know to combat a problem is to take it head-on.

My wife Maanayata is a huge fan of KGF - Chapter One. She had asked me to watch it. I enjoyed it, too. The team from KGF — Yash and director Prashanth Neel — got in touch with me through my family friend, Deepak Patel. I was amazed with Yash and Prashanth’s dedication and humility. The character Adheera that they had for me was larger than life and yet had these wonderful human qualities. We worked on the character’s looks, how he would behave, and so on. I loved what was offered to me — the vision, the story and the passion that was backing everything.

Clearly! It was like I had been transported back to the 90s. It was so beautiful — the energy, the vibe and the passion and dedication that each member of that team showed towards the film. Everyone was putting in their best, treating the movie like their own baby, which I feel is missing to a certain extent here in our industry. Passion nikal gaya hai yaar! That passion has to come back. Prashanth, for me, is easily one of the best directors we have in the country. He has fantastic vision, and he knows the pulse of the audience. I would have said the same thing about him even before working on the film because I felt that on the narration table, too. He gave me the vibe that I felt from stalwarts like Subhash Ghai and Mahesh Bhatt saab.

We had this period between the Coronavirus lockdowns when we had to shoot those action scenes. I was offered a body double because both Yash and Prashanth wanted to tread very carefully, especially with my health. They offered to shoot the climax on a green screen. When I heard them, I told them that they should stick to the material as they had narrated it to me. In fact, I even told them that if they didn’t do it, I wouldn’t shoot. I wanted that dust, the mud and the smoke. I wanted the scene to come alive when we shot the climax. I wanted to do it the way it had been imagined. They agreed, but they were still wary of how things would turn out. I don’t blame them because they just wanted to take care. After the first day’s shoot, when everything went off smoothly, I could see the reassurance on their faces. And yes, I performed all the stunts by myself because it reassured me as a person. I felt really good and strong inside.

Yes, and KGF came as a relief. I’ve grown up watching Amit ji (Amitabh Bachchan), Dharam ji (Dharamendra) and Vinod saab (Vinod Khanna) play these macho men. I came into the industry doing those same things that I had seen. And then suddenly, it was all lost somewhere. When I got back to the movies a few years ago, I worked on a couple of films like Prassthanam and others, none of which made me happy, till KGF came along. I was so happy on the sets of this film. This is the heroism we saw in our cinema until a few years ago. This is what it has to be like if you intend to entertain the whole country and the masses everywhere. We forget out here that our main audience is the junta sitting across states like UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, MP and so on. We have to cater to them. I have realised that my audience does not like to see me looking weak on screen. And that is what I am going to keep in mind as I go along the way.

Sanjay Dutt's protege Satyajeet Dubey confirms collaborating with him again after Prassthanam; film apparently a horror
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 26, 2019)

Attribute it to the manner in which they've spoken about each other, or the camaraderie they shared in Prassthanam, but it is evident that Sanjay Dutt has taken Satyajeet Dubey under his wing. Following their father-son act in the recently released film, Dubey tells mid-day that he may associate with Dutt's production banner for another offering.

"I am looking forward to another opportunity of working with them [Dutt and wife Maanayata] in the future. We are yet to lock the project, but it is in the planning stages," confirms the actor, who has often spoken about his relationship with Dutt. "Sanju sir treated me as his own. He and Maanayata ma'am have been incredibly kind. I have graduated from being a newbie for him when we began this journey, to one who is close to him. That's a great experience for a fan-child like me."

Dubey, we hear, will be part of a three-film deal with Dutt's banner, at Maanayata's behest. Dutt's wife apparently found him to be promising, and one who reminded her of Vinod Khanna. Of the upcoming two projects, the next one to roll is a horror-comedy, which is already in pre-production. Dutt, we hear, is mentoring Dubey for his act.

Prassthanam is another surprise of the week but still falls of expectations. The first half is quite interesting and keeps one engaged. The characters and the dynmaics shared by them makes for a great, dramatic watch. Moreover, the Machiavellian bit is well utilized in the movie. The interval comes at a shocking juncture and one expects an even better second half. Sadly, that doesn’t happen as the film gets very unconvincing. There’s too much of bloodshed happening here. Also, we have seen far better films in this regard like Sarkar, Raajneeti, Gangs Of Wasseypur etc and these films had a far better impact. The biggest problem with the movie is the climax – it’s very thanda. The performances are quite good. Ali Fazal surprisingly emerges as the best actor of the lot. He has the biggest role and he rocks the show. Prassthanam proves yet again what a talented guy he is. Sanjay Dutt puts his best foot forward and also keeps the act restrained, as per the character’s requirement. Jackie Shroff is awesome as the badass. He hardly has any dialogues and he speaks through his eyes. Manisha Koirala is okay and one wishes she had a stronger role. Satyajeet Dubey is a real surprise – he’s extremely menacing. Amyra Dastur is hardly there. Chunky Panday, Zakir Hussain and Deepraj Rana also do well. All in all, Prassthanam is an average fare and will surely find its audience on Amazon Prime rather than in cinemas.

My rating - ** ½ out of 5!

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 20, 2019)

A small-town boy from Bilaspur, son of a teacher, Satyajeet Dubey had always aspired to become an actor. And eight years ago, that dream came almost true when he made his debut in a high school romance produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s banner. However, that film tanked without a trace. His chocolate-boy looks and exuberance intact, the actor now hopes that his next release, Prassthanam, will help him get noticed.

Recalling his struggle, Satyajeet told BT, “I have been a part of three films before, but Prassthanam feels like my debut. I came to Mumbai in 2007 and two years later, I signed a film called Always Kabhi Kabhi, produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s banner. Ali Fazal was in it, too. It was a dream come true for me, when I did that film, at the age of 19. It released in 2011, but didn’t work. That experience taught me why we call movies, ‘business’. Your films need to garner big numbers, that’s the only way to survive. My real struggle started after that film’s debacle. I also realised that I didn’t want to do just chocolate-boy roles all my life. I want to do character-driven roles, an opportunity I got in Prassthanam.”

Interestingly, Satyajeet bagged the film after Maanayata Dutt (producer) saw one of his previous films on a flight. He shared, “After my debut, an indie film called Kerry On Kutton came my way. But that didn’t get noticed either. However, Maanayata Dutt happened to see it on the flight. She clicked my picture and showed it to Sanju sir (Sanjay Dutt), who then called me. I was at my lowest at that point. In Prassthanam, I play an antihero, who wants to sit on his father’s throne. You might not love him, but you will empathise with him. No one is outright bad.”

The actor explored television briefly to survive, but never gave up on his dream of entering movies. “I didn’t do TV extensively. I could have done daily soaps and been a part of reality shows, driving a posh car and owning a penthouse, but that was never my calling. Money will follow if you follow your heart,” he said.

THREE NOT-SO-EXCITING FILMS TO TRY THEIR LUCK AT THE BOX OFFICE!

The release of one of the biggest films of Bollywood, War, is less than two weeks away. There’ll be no major release next Friday and taking advantage of this 12-day gap are three films. These release tomorrow and the buzz for each movie is very low. In fact, it’s even difficult to say which one will open better. My analysis:

THE ZOYA FACTOR: It stars Sonam Kapoor, Dulquer Salmaan, Sanjay Kapoor and Angad Bedi and is based on Anuja Chauhan’s bestseller by the same name. The premise is interesting – a girl, born on June 25, 1983, that is, on the day India won the World Cup, emerges as a lucky charm for the Indian cricket team, leading to madness and fun. The film is directed by Abhishek Sharma, who impressed last year with Parmanu and earlier with Tere Bin Laden. Sadly, the trailer is not that interesting and funny. The novel was set in 2008 and hence, Zoya is around 24 or 25 years of age. If the movie is present-day era, Zoya’s age would be around 35 or 36 and that would make it unconvincing as Sonam doesn’t look that old. Songs too have failed to make a mark. 5 years ago, a similar Sonam Kapoor starrer with more hype, Khoobsurat, opened at Rs. 2.34 crore. The Zoya Factor however will open in the Rs. 1.50 or 2 crore range.

PRASSTHANAM: This flick bring together 90s stalwarts together like Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Manisha Koirala and Chunky Panday. The other actors in this political action film are Ali Fazal, Amyra Dastur and Satyajeet Dubey. It is the remake of the classic 2010 Telugu flick of the same name and also directed by the original film’s director, Deva Katta. The trailer has promise while songs have failed to even get noticed. Prassthanam is produced by Sanjay Dutt and his team is wrongly spreading the information that this is his first production. However, Sanjay had also produced Rascals and another film, Hasmukh Pighal Gaya, is also ready but never released. The film misses a popular face that can pull audiences to cinemas. Sanjay is not credible especially after delivering films like Bhoomi and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3. Due to the massy feel, the opening will be around Rs. 1.75-2 crore and can even go higher. If it’s as well-made as the original, then it has a big chance of growing with each passing day.

PAL PAL DIL KE PAAS: It marks the debut of Sunny Deol’s elder son Karan and is directed by Sunny himself. Sahher Bambba, also a newcomer, is the female lead. The teaser seemed interesting as the film is shot in some of the beautiful and remote locations of Himachal Pradesh. But the trailer made it clear the film rests on a very weak and outdated storyline. The songs have worked a bit. Also, Sunny is promoting this film all over due to which this film has got noticed a lot. But it’s unlikely how many will be excited to venture out to see it. The opening will be poor, around Rs. 1.25 or 1.50 crore. It can be even less, as it happened recently with Notebook. This film was similarly backed by a veteran star (Salman Khan) and had two newcomers but had a shocking opening of Rs. 61 lakhs. Hence, a less-than-a-crore-opening can’t be ruled out too!

WHICH FILM WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AND WHY? DO LET ME KNOW!

‘Sanju’s swag & style is inbuilt; I don’t think that will change with age’
Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; September 19, 2019)

At 60, Sanjay Dutt still has the swag, style and subtle sexiness that comes with the streaks of salt and pepper, which he wears with pride. The lines on his face tell a long and deep story — one that has seen trials, trauma, surreal highs and devastating lows. But now, he’s calm and at peace. His boat is steady, and he’s set sail all over again. And his firm anchor, wife Maanayata, has also stepped into showbiz as producer, and together, they are rolling out their first Bollywood film, Prassthanam. In a chat with Bombay Times, the couple talks about their partnership (in the movies and at home), family bonds, lessons learnt and unspoken love. Read on...

Sanjay and Maanayata, now, both of you are a team in the movie business. Sitting here and giving interviews as an actor-producer duo... how does it feel stepping into this new zone?
Sanjay: It is a great feeling. She has turned producer and handled Prassthanam entirely on her own, without any help from me. I am happy about the focus with which she has handled it.
Maanayata: Cuts in… Without Sanju, I would not be able to move an inch into this zone. That is the reason I put this project on hold while he was away. As a company, we are working on interesting projects and I needed him by my side to guide me through this journey. Prassthanam was the first project that we started working on. The Marathi film Baba (which released earlier this year) just came our way; we loved the script and wanted to back it as producers. It was a small-budget film, with a smaller cast, so we could pull it off with more ease.

Sanjay, did you have a huge role to play in Maanayata turning producer? Were you more invested in this project creatively as compared to your other films?
S: I have always encouraged her to do her own thing and create her own identity. It makes me proud. This space is new to her, and I wanted her to be on her own and learn the ropes. I didn’t want to get too much into the production area, I was there mostly as an actor.
M: On set, he was always the actor. But at home, as a wife, I would take his inputs and turn to him for advice.

Maanayata, did you have to go through the process of getting Sanju on board as an actor, or was Prassthanam his idea?
M: A different producer had approached him with this film quite some time ago, and Sanju had agreed to do it. But then, we lost three-and-a-half years during his jail term. Post that, I took over the film as producer.
S: When I heard the story, I liked the way the characters were weaved in, and how the relationships played out. My character does something which he regrets all his life and then tries to mend it. The film also has romance. Well, I don’t romance in it, but Ali (Fazal) does. Even the dialogues are loaded and clap-worthy.

Now, are there more conversations at home around movies and the business of movies?
M: Not really, even earlier, he would never bring work home.
S: Home has always been about family time and hanging out with our children. That takes up all our time.

Prassthanam is adapted from the Telugu film directed by Deva Katta, who is helming the Hindi version, too. It is believed that the sensibilities of filmmakers and the audience down South, are different compared to Bollywood movies and the audience that mostly consumes Hindi cinema. Were there doubts or fears about being able to adapt the film well?
M: We have a very good writer on board — Farhad Samji — who has a good body of work. He took the core idea from the original and adapted it into a Hindi film. He understands the audience here and has written it in a way that it will appeal to them.

Sanju, your character in this film has grey shades. Earlier, you have said that you enjoy playing roles that are dark and layered. Has the all-out good boy on screen become a tad boring for you?
I don’t know about that, but for the longest time characters with grey shades have attracted me. In fact, most of my successful films are the ones in which I have played dark characters. It has worked with the audience, too. I believe that no one is black or white, we all have some grey in us. So yes, I get drawn to such roles.

You turned 60 this year. In a typical corporate job, at this stage one often goes into retirement mode. For you, it’s like a new innings in your career. A lot to look forward to?
I am truly happy in my professional space. And in my personal space, too, I am at peace seeing my children grow up. I want to see our production house grow, too, and I hope that in the next few years, this company will be known for good cinema and people will want to work with our team. There is a lot to look forward to.

Maanayata, in all these years, what do you think has changed the most about him?
He is much calmer and more at peace now. The sword that was hanging over his head for years, has gone. Also, I think that age and the fact that he is fathering two young kids, have contributed to his current state of mind. From the Sanju, who I knew a decade ago, he is a far more composed person now.

Even after all these years, Sanju’s trademark style, swag and persona... none of that has changed. Does it ever feel like you are living with a 60-year-old, Maanayata?
M: Most actors are young at heart and vulnerable, Sanju is, too. As an actor, I guess you have to be young at heart to play multiple roles. Off screen, I still don’t feel that he is a 60-year-old. Sanju’s style and swag is inbuilt; I don’t think that will change with age. I remember that my sister-in-law, Priya, once told me that their father (Sunil Dutt) would often say, ‘Sanju ne itna drugs kiya hai ki uska dimaag grow hona bandh ho gaya hai’. Sanju always says that his dad loved Priya more, but I feel that his father had that unspoken love for him. Priya would tell me how dad would defend him and say these lines. So, I still feel that he is young, and I am dealing with three kids at home. Shahraan, Iqra (their twins) and Sanju gang up together. At home, the kids are supposed to have pizza and burgers only over the weekend, but he breaks that rule and allows it on weekdays, too. You see what I mean!

Are your kids aware of your stardom, Sanju? Have they watched any of your films?
M: They are aware, because it is spoken about in their school. They are nine years old now, and they know when he goes to shoot. We haven’t taken them out that much in public, so they don’t know about the kind of adulation he enjoys or his fan following. They know that he is an actor, and there is a certain kind of attention they get because of it.
S: We haven’t seen any of my films together. I watch kiddie films with them.
M: We all saw Sanju (2018) together. I am not an avid movie watcher in that sense. Lately, I have started watching more films, because as a producer, I need to do that. In fact, I haven’t seen Bhoomi (2017) or Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2018).

Sanju, talking about what Maanayata just shared with us, do you think there was unspoken love between your father and you?
Yes, absolutely. It is much later in life that he started expressing himself more. The hug that he gave me at the end in Munna Bhai M.B.B.S (2003), was so real that both of us were crying. Towards the last phase of his life, my dad started expressing his love for me, and he was proud of the way I handled myself. For any father, it is a good feeling to see things turn around — from people saying that ‘Sanju Sunil Duttji ka beta hain’, to they saying ‘Sunil Duttji Sanjay Dutt ke pitaji hain’.

Maanayata, what is your first memory of seeing Sanjay Dutt on screen? In what kind of films do you like to see him the most?
My first memory of him is from Aatish: Feel The Fire (1994). There was this scene where he burns down a godown, I still remember it. Sanju is a fantastic actor, you give him any role and he does it with ease. His filmography is so diverse — from dark roles in films like Khalnayak (1993) and Agneepath (2012), to the lovable goon in Munna Bhai, and funny roles in films with David Dhawan and Govinda. He has this larger-than-life presence on screen. I remember once I was on the same flight with Mr (Amitabh) Bachchan, from London to Mumbai, and we were talking about how he has worked with both, my father-in-law and my husband. Mr Bachchan told me, ‘Sunil saab toh bahut acche actor the, aur Sanju ke saath kaam karne mein bahut mazaa aata hai, kyunki agar aapke saamne bahut takkar ka actor ho, toh aapki performance badhti hai’. And he also said that Sanju looks ‘itna chauda’ on screen. It feels great that someone who is an institution in himself, speaks so highly of Sanju.

Back in the day, a hero had to be a certain type. But you were not like that and we saw you playing the good boy and the baddie on screen with as much conviction…
Every actor comes with this baggage of an image, which the audience has formed based on the roles he has played. For instance, Salman Khan can’t attempt something too different. Even if he tries, it is really tough. His fans want to see him in a certain way. They want to see action and songs in a Salman Khan film. I am in a similar situation. I have tried to do different kinds of roles, but it didn’t work. Like in Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3, the reaction of my fans was, ‘Gangster bola kyun, gun kidhar hai?’ In Bhoomi, so many people told me, ‘Aapko courtroom ko tod dena chahiye tha’. I told them, ‘Courtroom kaun todta hai?’ They don’t want to see me standing haath jod ke in front of people. They want to see me in the avatar that they like me best in.

But you have done some prominent films as a lover boy…
Yes, I have. But during our time, a romantic hero did more than just romance on screen. They were romantic-action heroes, you know what I mean. The only full-on romantic film that I have done (without any action), which was accepted by the audience was Saajan (the 1991-film, also starring Madhuri Dixit Nene and Salman Khan). I play a physically-challenged character, who is all heart. It was a lovely love story with great music.

What has been your biggest regret and biggest learning?
I have no regrets in life. The court case went on for about 25 years and the jail term happened, but now, I look back at all of it positively. I know that I lost many years of my youth, but I have taken every learning from it positively. That experience taught me a lot, but very late in life. I wish that it had happened when I was a bit younger. It really mellowed me down.

Upala KBR (MID-DAY; September 18, 2019)

That Sanjay Dutt has complete faith in the material of Prassthanam was evident when he decided to back the Hindi remake of the 2010 Telugu hit by the same name. Ready to go all guns blazing for his first Hindi production, the actor-producer intends to host two simultaneous premieres — in Doha and Dubai — today for the political drama, which also features Manisha Koirala, Jackie Shroff, Ali Fazal and Chunky Panday. Interestingly, the makers won't have a soiree in Mumbai.

A source associated with the project reveals, "Sanjay, wife Maanayata and kids Shahraan and Iqra will attend one premiere and the rest of the cast, the other. Both Sanju and Maanayata felt that the film will grab eyeballs in the Middle East as the actor enjoys a massive following there, and hence, the decision to trade a special screening in Mumbai for events there."

Confirming the news, the film's spokesperson said, "The makers are excited to take the movie to a global level with simultaneous premieres in Doha and Dubai. Producer Maanayata Dutt and Sanjay Dutt will host the event in Dubai, while Jackie, Ali, Chunky and Amyra Dastur will play host at the Doha event."

Shalabh Anand Bajpai (DNA; September 18, 2019)

Ali Fazal walked away with accolades for his turn as Guddu Pandit in the web series Mirzapur. Now, the trailer of Prassthanam has given a sense of déjà vu with its treatment and subject. But Ali says in its defence, “The film’s action may be similar but it is completely different from Mirzapur. I play a highly-educated guy who has studied abroad and comes back to help his father.” While the Fukrey Returns actor plays Sanjay Dutt’s son in his latest outing, he has bagged another biggie — Death On The Nile with Gal Gadot. Ali talks to us about working with the Munnabhai MBBS actor, his date diary being choc-a-bloc and why he and Richa Chadha are not in a rush to tie the knot.

POLITICAL DRAMA WITH A DIFFERENCE
Even though Prassthanam has a political backdrop, Ali emphasises that the film is unlike others in the genre. He explains, “I play the role of Sanjay baba’s son, who is sorted, handles everything on his own and is idealistic enough to take his father’s place. He follows his dad religiously. So, it’s also a family drama, which makes it different from other political films.”

WORKING WITH SANJAY
Apart from having an important role in the film, Ali tells us that he had a blast on the set, working with Sanjay. “I’ve been a big fan of his since a long time,” he smiles, adding, “I didn’t think Baba would be so chilled out!” But it wasn’t only fun and games. The senior actor helped Ali with his scenes as well. “If I ever got nervous, he always said, ‘Ali, don’t get confused. Apna time leke shot de, bas tension matt le’. Even while doing emotional scenes, he always asked me to do it with absolute intensity,” Ali states.

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; September 18, 2019)

A starry launch. A super start. Success, fame and stardom simply followed. Awards and accolades, too. Along with all that razzle-dazzle, came love and heartbreak. The calm and quiet was swept off by rough waters. A life-threatening disease took over, but what was not broken was her spirit. And what was not shaken was hope. And the actress rightly says, “When you see the worst part of life and the best part of life, there’s something that happens to you. You tend to value things and understand life better”. Today, Manisha Koirala is totally in love with life, and the actress, brimming with enthusiasm and ideas, talks to BT about her upcoming film Prassthanam, how she is breaking barriers and climbing mountains (literally), and what her biggest learnings have been. Read on…

You started acting at the age of 18 (in a Nepali film), and made your Bollywood debut in 1991 with Saudagar. Today, at 49, here you are, headlining the cast of a big film like Prassthanam. That is one long journey, with heartbreaks and breaks, and yet, it is one helluva story. Right?
Yes! There have been ups and downs, and it has not been easy, but I must say that life has been wonderful. All the pain and anguish has been worth the journey. I am totally in love with life, and today, I am far wiser and calmer. That whole impish impulsiveness is gone, and I am more mature. But at the same time, there is also a child in me who is excited about everything that lies ahead.

You recently released a memoir, what prompted you to do that? Was it also a way to purge all that you went through? A compelling need to share your story?
It was cathartic. Some of us go through tough and fearful times, and I think it is good to make use of that experience and enhance the quality of our life. For that, I needed to put it in perspective and make sense of it. A lot of things can happen to you, but the important thing here is, what have you derived from it? I have some more ideas in my head, I want to tell those stories, too.

You expressed yourself openly and fearlessly while giving readers a personal account of your life in the book. Yes, we all have flaws and we make mistakes, but confessing them is a brave attempt. How did you muster the courage to do that? Or did you feel that you have nothing to lose?
Firstly, when you are impacted with cancer, you have faced the other side. So, the point from where I was looking, I knew that I couldn’t bullshit or lie to my readers. I couldn’t make up things either. Ultimately, facing death is the real truth of life. And I think that being so close to death, gave me courage. Secondly, for my own sake, it was important to be honest. Maybe, cancer does that to you. When you face something so brutal and real, it makes you see life in a different way. We all are human beings and we all are flawed, and in the book, I was not trying to project myself as a perfect person, or someone who has all the answers. I don’t. If you ask me if there was fear in expressing myself so openly, yes, there was. There were times when I could see that I was stressing about it, and I wasn’t sure about how people would respond to all that there was in it. I went through swings of doubt and fear, wondering…will people accept it? Will they start judging me again? Will people mock me or taunt me? But I am so glad that I stuck to my gut feeling, and eventually, believed in what I was doing.

You said that being diagnosed with cancer helped you identify all that was wrong in your life. Having identified that, how has life changed now?
My perception towards life has changed. I have started valuing my life, time, work and friendships. Today, no way will I miss a day of shoot and there is no way that I will not give it my 200 per cent. I am aware that now I have this, tomorrow I might not have it. Today, I have this life, tomorrow I might not.

Talking about valuing life and making the most of it, you recently trekked up to the Mt Everest base camp. You are scaling new heights, literally…
Yes, I trained for three-four months for it, though I would say that one should train for six months or more. I was in the middle of writing and releasing my book, so I had a lot going on. In the last three months before the trip, I started training really hard. I went with my school friends, and it was an amazing experience. When you are in the mountains, there is no five-star luxury. If you get a clean toilet, and a shower, you should consider it a luxury. When you look at what is in front of you, the humongous mountains and the beauty of it all, you forget these discomforts. It is humbling.

Would you have challenged yourself and pushed your limits, if you hadn’t gone through what you did in life?
I don’t think so. I would not have the kind of guts and discipline that I needed for this. I would say kal karenge, kal karega, aur kal kabhi aata hi nahin. My friends were also instrumental in this. They all live in different parts of the world, and every time we met, we’d fondly talk about our school days. Then we decided, why don’t we create some new memories, so that we can talk about newer things and not just what we have already experienced in life. Next, we are planning to go to Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania).

Last year, you played Nargis Dutt in the biopic Sanju (based on Sanjay Dutt’s life). And now, in Prassthanam, you are playing his wife. In the last decade, he has personally gone through a lot, too. Were you in touch with him all these years?
We have been in touch on and off. He went through a rough patch, we were all his well-wishers, and we prayed for him. I have worked with him over the years, and I know that he’s a good guy who supports the weakest in the shooting unit. When you see the worst part of life and the best part of life, there’s something that happens to you. You tend to value things and understand life better.

In your entire career, you have never been a part of any particular group or camp. You have pretty much been on your own, haven’t you?
I was never part of any camp. I was always floating here and there (laughs!). It was also because I didn’t really form such relationships, so I could not be a part of any group.

Do you wish you had forged more friendships in the industry?
Maybe I should have. Today, I have better bonds with some actors and filmmakers. I guess I am giving such friendships more time now. I know that this is the place (movie industry) where I have spent so many years and I see myself spending more time here. So yes, I wish that I had forged thicker friendships here. That’s a learning.

So much has changed in Bollywood over the decade. According to you, what about it stands out the most?
A lot has changed in Bollywood. The quality of cinema and performances have improved. Our movies are more realistic now, back in the days, we were more melodramatic. On set, now I keep asking my directors to tell me if I am slipping back into my melodramatic mode. I tell them…. ‘Don’t forget where I come from’ (laughs!). I think our cinema is more about realism right now, in terms of stories and performances. The viewers are accepting different kinds of subjects, so it’s no longer restricted to the typical Bollywood films — with song and dance. I saw Badhaai Ho, and I thought, ‘What a concept and what a lovely story’.

A huge part of that change is the role of women in cinema — in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Today, interesting roles are being written for women (even though the number is not boast-worthy yet), actresses are talking about pay parity, fighting for meaty roles, et al. The Bollywood space was different for actresses in the early nineties. Would you agree?
I think by and large, there is a shift to feminine power, worldwide, and now cinema is also reflecting that. Women are standing up and talking about things that matter to them and affect them. They are becoming bolder and speaking their mind. It is no longer men versus women. Some amazing men are seen supporting women’s issues. If I were at this stage of my career years back, I would probably be doing only mom and sister’s roles. That’s it. Today, 40-plus actresses are getting such good opportunities to perform. So, it’s no longer about just including a pretty young thing in a movie, it’s much more than that.

Needless to say, everything around movies has undergone a sea change, too. The way films are promoted, the influence of social media, the paparazzi culture... And every actor is grappling with all this, while managing a full-fledged acting career. It is tough business…
I think it can get exhausting. Nowadays, people have become unforgiving. We were blessed that many of our mistakes were forgiven. I think it is a very stressful time for actors. I feel for the younger generation, as I know that they have to look their prettiest best at all times — whether they are at the gym or the airport. I think it is challenging, but I guess they are doing it well. I try to catch up, but there are moments when I feel like running away. It gets too much. I am trying to get my head around social media, I am understanding it, slowly. To an extent, talking about where you are and what you are doing is okay, but feeling the need to do it all the time, is too taxing.

In this phase, has your criteria for choosing a film changed?
Absolutely! I will not be irresponsible, and I will think 10 times over before taking on a project. I say no to more roles now than ever before. In the past, I took on many films thinking that if I had one hit followed by 10 flops, it is fine. Today, you can’t think that way. More than anything else, I don’t want to waste my time. Also, every decision is not a business decision. There are certain choices that you make totally from the heart and because you want to work with someone who is a friend or who is like family.

Elaborating on what you just said, I have heard a lot of senior actors say that while they are happy about the way our cinema has evolved, the flip side to this is that our film industry, which was known to function on dosti-yaari, has become very business-like. Your thoughts?
I will not take names, but a couple of years back, there was a film that enjoyed huge success, and the director who made that film had a series of flops prior to that. He went to a certain lead actor and requested him to be a part of his film and give him a chance. The actor agreed, and eventually, the film did really well. That decision was made from the heart. Even if the film had not worked, the gesture of the actor was what mattered. That is a quality that actors and filmmakers of my generation have. I guess that is lacking a bit in the younger breed, and it is something that they can learn from the senior generation in the industry.

Aren’t you glad that you don’t have to be a part of the race to get that ‘100-crore actress’ tag, or compete to be a part of the coveted 100 crore+ club at this stage? Do you even remember the box-office figures of any of your films?
I don’t know the box-office numbers of most of my films. In fact, I don’t remember the numbers of even a single film that I was a part of. I think we had more relaxed times. We did our work, we focused on things like… iss film mein accha kaam kiya, uss film mein kharab kaam kiya. That’s all. We didn’t discuss box-office collections like this. We were forgiven, even after we made so many mistakes. Now, if you make a single mistake, it is so hard. Hence, all the actors are on their toes all the time.

Did you miss facing the camera during the years when you took a break for health reasons?
I didn’t realise it then, but yes, I did. I didn’t even realise that I love my work so much. I always thought that I would get bored at some point, and would want to do something else, because at heart, I am a bit of a gypsy and a nomad. I thought my interest in acting was a passing phase, but it wasn’t. Interestingly, I never got bored or tired of acting. I love it, and I see myself doing it for as long as I can.

Are you still a gypsy at heart?
Yes, I am still a gypsy at heart. It is a part of me that can’t change. It is my core. Sometimes, I wonder…where do I really belong. Then I tell myself, right now, I belong here. I don’t know about tomorrow.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 17, 2019)

Only months after he forayed into production with Baba, Sanjay Dutt is eager to expand his role beyond filmmaking. mid-day has learnt that the recently launched studio, Sanjay S Dutt Productions, has started a talent wing to mentor budding artistes. Satyajeet Dubey, who plays Dutt's son in Prassthanam, is one of the first actors to be taken under the wing. Confirming the development, Dubey heaps praise on his mentor and co-star Dutt.

"Working with him has been an enriching experience. Sanjay sir treated me like his own and would share the wisdom he gained from his life experiences. It's surreal [to be groomed by him]".

Rumours suggest that Dutt has zeroed in on Dubey for his next Hindi production. Dubey clams up, saying, "Let's wait for the announcement from the high command."

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; September 16, 2019)

Over the years, Chunky Panday has taken over the spot vacated by actors like Kadar Khan and Shakti Kapoor, who could play evil characters and funny guys with equal ease. For the newer generation, he’s recalled as Aakhri Pasta, owing to his funny character in the Housefull series. But for those, who grew up on films from the 90s, there is more to Chunky than just an actor who can pull off comic roles on screen. In Prassthanam — which is headlined by a bunch of senior actors — Chunky plays the antagonist, and he describes the character as, “A slime ball, the small-town kingmaker, who lacks principles and diplomacy.” But what he enjoyed the most about this film was bonding with colleagues from the past and revisiting some great memories together.

Interestingly, the set of Deva Katta’s Prassthanam had become a reunion party for a bunch of actors from the 1980s — Sanjay Dutt, Jackie Shroff and Chunky had all emerged on the scene in the same decade. Manisha Koirala had joined the movies at the beginning of the 1990s, but she, too, would be a part of the gang’s rewind sessions. Talking about it, Chunky says, “We would often go on a flashback trip on the set of this film. It was like a reunion party.”

Shooting for Prassthanam turned out to be a reunion party for Chunky Panday. He says, “I had worked with Manisha in her second film. I’ve worked with Sanju on several films, and Jackie and I, although we had known each other, we started working together much later in our careers. We’ve done three films together. I had a great time working with Sanju. As young men, we’ve done some fun things together. I can’t even talk about how crazy those times were. We were both wild guys and had some fun outdoors in Chennai and Goa during those days. While shooting for Prassthanam, we would reminisce all that and laugh about it. Ali (Fazal) and Amyra (Dastur) would wonder why Sanju and I were laughing so much. And suddenly, when the camera rolled, we’d go for each other’s throats. We came from a school of filmmaking, where we learnt that films are only made on sets. I can’t read scripts even today. I just listen to the details of my character. The whole homework behind making a film is like overthinking something you eventually can’t control. The set is where a film will always be made. We should all enjoy the process together.”

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; September 15, 2019)

Known for his signature messy hair and boyish charm, Ali Fazal is disarmingly honest, just like his ladylove Richa Chadha. His talent and earnestness were noticed even in his brief, but significant appearance in 3 Idiots (2009), and the lead role in Oscar-nominated Victoria & Abdul (2017). Ali’s career trajectory took a massive leap recently, when he bagged an Agatha Christie thriller with Hollywood stars like Gal Gadot and Armie Hammer. However, the actor says that he hasn’t yet reached where he should have. In a chat with BT, he opens up on his career, relationship, the culture of political correctness in cinema and his upcoming film, Prassthanam. Excerpts...

You worked with Dame Judi Dench (Victoria & Abdul), and was part of Furious 7 (2015). Now, you are a part of Prassthanam, which seems to be an out-and-out commercial potboiler. Isn’t it great that you are getting opportunities to juggle films that belong to different schools of acting and filmmaking?
I am a sucker for being pushed out of my comfort zone. That gives me a kick. Fukrey (2013) was a cakewalk for me. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can pull that role off. Victoria & Abdul was different and I am hungry for working with different directors, who take that risk. I have never fallen in that category of being the go-to guy for an art film or a certain type of role. I have had a mixed filmography.

But the lack of an image may not always go in your favour. Today, people can define a Rajkummar Rao or an Ayushmann Khurrana film, which hasn’t happened with you so far...
So many times, it has gone against me. I grabbed whatever work came to me. I am getting good opportunities now, but when I look back, I regret some of the choices I made. I never had a set image. I admire people like Rajkummar and Ayushmann. Raj has been doing back-to-back incredible films with Hansal Mehta. A lot of his earlier films were a washout, but he has slowly and steadily worked towards building a certain image for himself.

In Ayush’s case, from hosting shows to doing movies like Vicky Donor (2012), his choice of content-driven films have helped him build an image. On the contrary, I am constantly trying to break away from an image, and it has worked against me at times. I don’t know how to do this. There was no planning in my career. TV kiya nahi, uss mein bohot paisa hai. All these principles go against you.

You are known to speak your mind and are quite critical of things. Is such outspokenness appreciated in an industry where being diplomatic and politically correct is almost a norm?
A lot of directors appreciate honesty, but you can’t stick your nose everywhere. You also need to know where you stand as an actor. I am critical of things, and I can be shameless in getting my point across. If some things are tacky, they are. Why should you not say it? Films are, after all, a creative, collaborative process. Everything has become so protocol and hierarchy-based and this happens everywhere. Even when I used to correct the Urdu lines written for me in Victoria & Abdul, they had to be routed through the BBC UK. In fact, we have more freedom in India when it comes to voicing our point of view as actors.

Surprisingly, there’s a perception that actors in the West have a bigger say...
Actors in the West enjoy more benefits and some have that clout. They have unions and pensions. For the rest of my life, whenever Victoria & Abdul is played, I will get a certain amount of money. You need that support. Studios are more powerful there. In fact, I am reading a book — Easy Riders, Raging Bulls — that talks about the change in Hollywood’s cinema culture and how the studios came into power. It’s quite informative.

Coming back to Prassthanam, what is it all about? And, how did you become a part of it?
This film came to me at the right time. Baba (Sanjay Dutt) called me for it and I am his huge fan. I play his son in the film. It has politics, action, thrill, songs bhi hai… it has an interesting mass appeal. It takes you back to the 90s, but also reflects today’s political structure in Uttar Pradesh and interpersonal relationships. It’s a testosterone-heavy film about the alpha male image that we have on the outside. Manisha Koirala plays a central role. I don’t know how that will be received because she doesn’t have too many dialogues, but her voice echoes through the entire film. Feminists are going to have a field day writing about our film and I fear that it could be for the wrong reason because we are actually trying to show how messed-up toxic masculinity is. Gharon mein aaj bhi agar bhai-behen khaana khaane baithte hai toh bhai ko plate pehle jaata hai. Even the mother doesn’t realise that. So, sexism exists and it’s deep-rooted in our culture.

While this dialogue is essential, isn’t excessive scrutiny and moral policing detrimental to cinema, as filmmakers will get conscious?
Question it, but don’t form an opinion on it and say, ‘Don’t watch it’. Let people watch it and decide for themselves. Here, everyone wants to decide for others. You are okay watching Western web series, but an Indian hero hamari sabhyata ko nahi maar sakta. Technically, we are still hero worshipping. While paying attention to all of this, we are missing out on cinema because everybody is scared. I couldn’t smoke in one scene of Milan Talkies because Tigmanshu (Dhulia, director) didn’t want that anti-smoking disclaimer to pop up. The whole point of that scene was to tell someone that smoking is injurious, but we deleted that scene as people may not see it in the right context anymore. We are now forced to play it safe and that’s bad for art. Art and politics have to go hand in hand. Politics has power, but art shapes society. You can’t ignore it.

Richa and you are amongst the few couples in Bollywood, who are outspoken. Did that aspect of your personalities bring you closer?
Richa has a lot of knowledge and has a spiritual outlook towards life, and that attracts me to her the most. She is very centered and focussed. I am not. I don’t want to grow up. Adulting is not my thing. I hate it. Mujhe har mahina electricity bill, gas bill, yeh bill, woh bill nahi bharna hai. No matter where you are, you get those bill reminders. By the way, Richa is equally goofy. She is a clumsy woman. All that serious hoity-toity image she has, I don’t know what that is (smiles). She drops food every time she eats! That’s her USP.

Why do you say that you are not centered? Do you mean that you struggle to stay in the moment?
I am only peaceful at two places — on a movie set and in a movie hall. That is why I watch movies on my own a lot. I walk in alone, buy my ticket and popcorn, and find myself in a meditative state. That’s bliss for me. I am like that even on a movie set. Apart from that, bheed hai mere dimag mein. My mind is brimming with ideas all the time and that perhaps takes the focus away. I want to create something new, and manage work in the West as well.

Since you hate adulting, have you given marriage a thought or do you perceive it as too much of a responsibility?
I believe in the sanctity of marriage. I think it’s beautiful, but work is a priority at the moment. Somewhere, we all stumble upon it, I guess. I am happy in the space that I am in right now. And maybe, I have thought about marriage, but I won’t speak about it yet. Is it unmanly for a man to be shy about certain things? I am extremely shy when it comes to talking about my personal life. I find it weird.

Other than acting, filmmaking has been on your mind for a while now...
Yes, it has. I have been writing a magnum opus. I am writing two things actually — a mini series and a film script. I don’t know if I’ll be directing these, but writing is my life’s purpose, I think. The film script is my Mughal-e-Azam. It is a period epic. It’s not about the Mughals, though. There are instances and stories that have lasted over generations in my family that I will capture in it, but it isn’t biographical.

MUMBAI MIRROR (September 14, 2019)

During a recent turn on Kapil Sharma’s chat show, The Kapil Sharma Show, Chunky Panday revealed what made him take up villainous roles on screen. According to the actor, who was accompanied by the Prassthanam team—Sanjay Dutt, his producer-wife Maanayata Dutt, Satyajeet Dubey and Amyra Dastur—it was his wife, Bhavna, who persuaded him. “Whenever my wife and I fought, she would say, ‘Chunky you are a real villain, bade neech insaan ho,’” the actor revealed, noting that his gundagardi has earned him more respect in the Panday household. “Now, my family addresses me as ‘Pandey ji’. Earlier, I was called Pandu,” Chunky chuckled.

While Maanayata revealed that her actor-husband once tried to prank her by refusing to wear a dhoti for a scene, Kapil too got into the spirit of spilling secrets, sharing that he was in Amsterdam when Dutt’s biopic Sanju released and he was denied entry into a show after arriving late. To get in, he showed a picture of himself with Ranbir Kapoor (the film’s lead) to convince security that he was the film’s producer.

Sanjay, with wife Maanayata, discusses life after his incarceration, making films together and bringing up kids Iqra and Shahraan
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 10, 2019)

It’s another rainy day in Mumbai and the traffic is nightmarish. At one point, one wonders if the journey to Sanjay Dutt’s Santacruz office will ever end. It does, two hours after one had left from home. Maanayata Dutt is already there, the actor strolls in a few minutes later and is ready for a chat. When suggested that his wife join him, he asks Maanayata to come along. The couple complements each other in black-andwhite and is in-sync as the words flow. Excerpts from an interview:

Your first Hindi production, Prassthanam, has the tagline, ‘earn the legacy’. Sanjay, is this film your way of taking the legacy of your parents, Sunil and Nargis Dutt, forward?
Maanayata: It’s just the tagline of the film and has nothing to do with his family. Yes, dad (Sunil Dutt) had a production company, but he didn’t keep making films to set Sanju up as a star. He was a self-made man, so is my husband. But Sanju is among the few actors who will always wear his boots. Since acting is age-bound, we had to figure how to take his career a step up. Producing films is another way of entertaining.
Sanjay: I know that both my parents will be very happy that my production company is taking off.

Maanayata, even when Sanjay was away, you had kept his production dreams going. There was talk of a Satte Pe Satta remake…
Maanayata: We were planning to make Satte Pe Satta jointly with Ashtavinayak. When that company wound up operations, the project was put on the backburner. But during Sanju’s incarceration, I developed a lot of scripts. But since I didn’t have his expertise and practical knowledge on how a film is made, I waited till he was there to guide me before rolling with my first film.

But you have been dabbling in other things, including interiors and corporate trading. You could bring that experience into this company; besides you’ve been an actress too.
Maanayata: Every business is about building a product, branding and marketing it. You could build yourself or another entity, but the crux of any business is profit and loss. That’s what any business school teaches you. Then, it’s how you implement it. I’ve done just one film and even after I married Sanju, I didn’t hang around the sets like a star wife. Even today, I can only answer questions related to our productions. If you were to ask me what films Sanju is doing, I’d turn to him and ask, “Aap kya kar rahen hain?” That’s why I held back from producing a film till he returned.

What made you zero in on a remake of a Telugu film as your first Hindi production?
Maanayata: The size of cinema, technology and the faces of actors and directors have changed. What remains unchanged is emotions. Our film is high on the E-quotient.
Sanjay: Yes, it’s a content-driven film which is about life, values, morals and entertainment. My character, Baldev, has many shades in his relationship with his wife and sons; the role offers me scope to perform. Even though it’s set against a political background, it’s an earthy, massy film.

Talking of politics, the ruling coalition partner Rashtriya Samaj Paksha (RSP) chief and state minister Mahadev Jankar recently announced that you will be joining his party on September 25.
Sanjay: He’s family… like my brother… but I no longer have any political aspirations. I’m happy being an actor and our dream today is for this company to make good cinema.

Is this company something you’d want to pass on to your twins, Iqra and Shahraan?
Maanayata: I don’t believe materialistic things should be passed on, they should be earned. I could build an empire for my children, but if they can’t keep it together or expand it, they might lose it. What we can give them is education and values.

Do the children show interest in any aspect of filmmaking?
Maanayata: My daughter, who will turn nine soon, is an artist. From her grade—two divisions of 24 kids combined—her paintings get selected every year for the school magazine. I’m planning an exhibition of her canvases soon. My son is more interested in sports—cricket, football and taekwondo.

The family has always been the centre of your existence. Do you see your life changing now that you are a film producer?
Maanayata: You have to evolve with time, growth lies in change. The kids are busy with school and an activity class every day, be it skating or swimming. They don’t have much time for us and as they grow older, they will get busier. So, it is better that I, too, get busy with something else. This company is like my baby too.

What’s the next film after Prassthanam?
Maanayata: There’s a Punjabi comedy which rolls in mid-November. It will be shot in Punjab in three schedules over 55 days. Habib Faisal is directing a slice-of-life film for us, it starts in January. We have also signed (director) Mudassar Aziz.

Sanjay, do you feature in these films too?
Sanjay: No, but there’s another film with Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan, titled Pandit Galli Ka Ali, which I will be doing with Chintu sir (Rishi Kapoor), with whom I’ve worked in many films. God bless him, we’re waiting for him to return to start that one.
Maanayata: There’s also a horror-comedy, Virgin Tree, being directed by ad filmmaker Siddhant. It has Sanju playing a virgin baba.

That’s an interesting one.
Sanjay (smiling): Yeah, I have some interesting films lined up, from Shamshera, Panipat and Prithviraj Chauhan to Bhuj: The Pride of India, a film with Vikas Bahl, and two sequels, KGF 2 and Sadak 2. The latter reunites me with (Mahesh) Bhatt saab after two decades. He has the same energy and madness, and after a long time, I felt he was really happy, to be back in the director’s chair. KGF 2, which rolls soon, is an action-packed drama with me as Adheera, the villain’s brother, who returns to take revenge. Maanayata was insistent I do it.
Maanayata: I loved the promos, very intriguing, with a silhouette of the lead actor Yash, and publicised with just a one-line dialogue, “Iss duniya mein sabse bada yoddha maa hoti hai.” For me, it worked big time; I watched the film twice. Sanju couldn’t do the original because of date issues. When the sequel came along, he was contemplating. I told him he had to do it.

Sanjay, talking about mothers, Nargis ji was the centre of your existence and vice versa. I guess it’s the same for Maanayata and your children?
Sanjay: Yeah, they are alike in the way they conduct themselves. Mom was louder than Maanayata but she’s the same with our kids.

You’ve often said that Maanayata made a home out of your house…
Sanjay: I’m proud and fortunate to have a wife like her. Her focus has always been home, husband, kids and her work. I’ve never interfered in her trading, knowing she has a business acumen. After my father passed away, Maanayata has been my support system. She never let me fall, she was always there to pick me up.
Maanayata: For all those who say I am his anchor, I say, he is the sail I set up to protect myself from storms. He’s always stood strong for the kids and me. Even when he was inside, he was worried for us.

Any changes you’ve noticed in him in the last few years?
Maanayata: Earlier, he used to be disturbed, his father didn’t live to hear the court say that he was not a terrorist and acquit him from TADA charges. That had tarnished the family name and bothered him for years.
Sanjay: The dark clouds are gone, I am finally at peace. Like Chintu sir, I am happiest on a film set and now, I can do the work I want to do. Films like Bhuj, which is about the 1971 Indo-Pak war during which my tribal character and some ladies help Ajay’s (Devgn) Air Force officer by building an air-strip overnight in Bhuj. It’s a lovely story of heroism.

Kalank, came with a lot of expectations but left one disappointed over the amount of footage you got.
Sanjay: I know people were disappointed, but I only did this small role for my relationship with Yash (Johar) uncle and his production house, which goes back by several years. Even in the credits it was mentioned as a special appearance.

Another grouse was that Kalank seemed disconnected with today’s world. Did you feel that way too?
Sanjay: It was too small a role for me to feel anything. Everyone tried their best, there was a lot of hard work involved.

Is Torbaaz, about young suicide bombers, shelved?
Sanjay: No, it’s definitely happening. It has a lot of special effects and it takes time to get them right, so scenes with tanks and helicopters look authentic.

A film and two books on your life have come out. Are you still going ahead with your plans of an autobiography?
Sanjay: The two books are what’s in public domain and while Sanju is a brilliant film, how much can you show in two hours? I want to write the book because there are things that only I know. But it will require time, and right now, with so many good movies, I don’t want to get distracted. I also want to direct entertainers, but that, too, has to wait.

While in jail, you were working on a script with two inmates…
Sanjay: Four inmates and many scripts. Two are hilarious, and we are thinking of making them too.

Do your kids watch films?
Maanayata: My son likes the ones with superheroes, my daughter is into animated features. They haven’t seen Bhoomi or Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, which Sanju made after he came out, because both films are in the 13-plus bracket.

Have they seen the Munna Bhai films?
Maanayata: Yes, they have watched both and liked Munna Bhai MBBS more.

When is Munna Bhai 3 rolling?
Sanjay: I keep telling Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) to do it. He’s still writing, I hope it happens next year.

Maanayata, is there any film of Sanjay’s that you’d like to remake or take forward?
Maanayata: Khal Nayak. It’s a great film and Sanjay’s character has so many layers. Negative characters have always worked for him, be it Khal Nayak, Vaastav or Munna Bhai, which was about a lovable rogue.

Any possibility of seeing Sanjay and you together in a home production?
Maanayata: No, my hands are full, and I am in a happy space. I just did one film and at times, I feel I was made to do it so I could meet Sanju. Things happen for a reason. Had acting been a passion, I would have pursued it. If I want something, I go for it but I don’t see myself acting again.

When you look back, what will you recall Prassthanam by?
Maanayata: It will always be special as it’s my first film with my husband. Its title means journey and not just on screen. It encapsulates Sanju’s real-life struggle and the adulation that kept him going, Manisha’s (Koirala) battle with cancer and the highs and lows in Jackie Dada’s graph. It’s my journey with them and I can only hope that our destination is success.

Having stepped out of his comfort zone in recent outings, Sanjay Dutt explains why he has returned to his favourite genre with Prasthanam
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; September 7, 2019)

Counted among the original macho men of Bollywood, Sanjay Dutt tried to steer away from the action hero image in his last few outings. If Kalank saw him try his hand at an emotional drama, the thriller, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 (2018), was far removed from the star's brand of cinema. However, his attempt to step out of his comfort zone was met with little success. With his home production Prassthanam, Dutt tells mid-day that he wants to regain his credibility as an action star.

"I played a father in Bhoomi [2017]. In the climax courtroom sequence, the audience expected me to bash up the villains [and were disappointed when it didn't happen]. In Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3, my fans complained that the gangster element was missing from my role. There is a certain image that I have of an action star; it's difficult to break it and do something else. It's difficult to reinvent. If people love me for my macho roles, it is my responsibility to give them that. Prassthanam has everything that the audience expects me to do," he explains.

In his second innings in Bollywood, Dutt is keen to go beyond his role as an actor. His desire to back meaningful cinema has led to the creation of his studio, Sanjay S Dutt Productions. "We decided to back Prassthanam because it's a great film that provides entertainment. We chose politics as the backdrop as we wanted to target the heartland of the country," says the actor-producer, who forayed into production with an unlikely choice — the Marathi film, Baba. "It will be screened for the jury of the Golden Globes on September 14. We hope they nominate it [for the awards]. We are making a small Punjabi film, and a few Hindi films are in the pipeline. The aim is to make content-driven cinema without losing out on entertainment."

Manisha Koirala's bucket list includes more acting and travelling, writing more books and directing a film
Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 5, 2019)

After playing Sanjay Dutt’s mother, Nargis, in Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju, Manisha Koirala has teamed up with the actor, whom she fondly calls Baba, for his upcoming home production, Prassthanam. This time, she plays his wife, Saroj. Talking about her three-decade association with the actor, Manisha says, “I became a big fan of Baba after watching Rocky and even had his posters up in my room. It was a fan-girl moment when I first worked with him, but over the years we have become good have seen him go through his ups and downs in life, and whenever I have a problem, I just have to tell him. A few days later, he will call to ask, ‘Manya, sab theek ho gaya na?’ We are very comfortable with each other now.”

Signing Prassthanam was a decision that came from the heart. “Maanayata ji (Sanjay’s wife) is producing the film, and I can’t say ‘no’ to Baba and her,” she says. The film, directed by Deva Katta, also features Jackie Shroff in a pivotal role, and is the remake of a Telugu film of the same name. Manisha however hasn’t seen the original film yet.

The second innings in her career is extremely important for her. “In the first, I was lucky I got to work with the best of directors and actors. I can’t hope for a repeat, I can only choose the best from the roles I get. But I now have the responsibility of doing a better job than before,” she reasons.

About the Sanjay biopic, she reveals that she had doubts about it. She wasn’t convinced if she should play a mother, afraid that she could get typecast. “Luckily, that hasn’t happened, the roles I’m getting offer a lot of scope to perform. I was also apprehensive if I’d be able to perform a character suffering from cancer as I’d just come out of it,” she explains. Eventually, she couldn’t say ‘no’ to playing a legend like Nargis. “More than Baba or Raju sir, I took up the film because of Nargis ji.” Manisha was diagnosed with the Big C in 2012. After several rounds of treatment, she is doing fine now.

Has life changed since? She points out that after any kind of life-threatening incident, one’s perception changes. “If there is heaven, it’s here. If there is hell, it’s here. When I was close to death, I realised how lucky I was to be born and be alive. When you are in danger of losing something, you start valuing it more. I love life and want to live it fully. It can be demanding but I want to make the most of my living years,” she says.

Manisha has a bucket list of things she wishes to do. She wants to act more, write more books, direct a film and travel more. “This year, I went to the Everest Base Camp. I want to climb more mountains. And finally, I want to be more useful in whichever part of the world and society I am. I want to live well and chase happiness,” she says.

Her inspiration when battling cancer was cricketer Yuvraj Singh who came out victorious. Sonali Bendre recently admitted that she found her inspiration in Manisha fighting the disease. “Sonali is a beautiful, strong woman. Cancer can shake you up, but one should ensure that it doesn’t get the better of you,” she says.

Salman Khan recently said that he met Sanjay Leela Bhansali through Manisha during Khamoshi: The Musical. Tell her that and she laughs, “I wish Salman and I got along during Khamoshi but we didn’t. Sanjay has always liked Salman, and I knew them both long before Khamoshi. We had our fights and our moments during the film, and I still think Salman’s best work is with Bhansali. I am fond of both of them, Bhansali is my jaan. He was on board as the assistant director on 1942—A Love Story,” she reminisces, revealing that she wasn’t the first choice for his directorial debut. “I had read his script long back, when he was looking to cast either one of his favourites—Kajol or Madhuri (Dixit)—but both rejected the film, and that’s when I came on board.”

Jackie Shroff on the best phase of his career, being proud of all that his kids have achieved and reuniting with buddies Sanjay Dutt and Manisha Koirala after 20 years
Hiren Kotwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 4, 2019)

In the Hindi film industry, there are few things as consistent as the unassuming side of Jackie Shroff. When asked how he picks roles today, the 62-year-old actor shrugs, “Pehle dost aate the... A cameraman’s assistant would ask for help, entreating, ‘It’s just two days work, meri life ban jaayegi.’ On occasions, Subhash ji (Ghai) would ask for 10 days and you can’t say ‘no’ to the boss and at times a subject like (Mahesh Bhatt’s) Kaash would come along and I’d do it. So, I did films for friends, for the production house, even for money and that’s still the case today.”

He is just as matter-of-fact when taking stock of his career, pointing out that he can fit in anywhere, from the terrorist in Mission Kashmir to the intelligence chief in Romeo Akbar Walter (RAW), from the aiyaash in Devdas to the superstar in Rangeela. “It doesn’t matter if the role is big or small, whether I’m named first in the credits or second. I didn’t care for these things,” he asserts and you recall how often he’s played the hero’s elder brother or best friend. “I never wanted to upstage anyone. Doosre ka pair kaat ke apun lamba banne ka kya matlab hai?”

But wouldn’t things have turned differently if he wasn’t quite so accommodating, you wonder, and he informs that his character in RAW was inspired by the agency’s founder-director RN Kao. “The current RAW chief praised my performance. What more do I want?” Jackie exults, adding with a smile that even South supermo Rajinikanth played his younger brother in Uttar Dakshin. “Sab mere chhote bhai bante the. I’m a Turkish Gujarati, so my bone structure is a little bigger, even Anil’s (Kapoor) face is small.”

In his next, Prassthanam, Jaggu plays Raghu, the royal guard. The film reunites him with the film’s producer and lead actor Sanjay Dutt and actress Manisha Koirala after 20 years. Their last outing was Kartoos. “There was a free flow of energy because for us, it was like picking up from where we had left off. Even though the industry is a small world sometimes it takes years for friends to meet and working together takes even longer. We love each other intensely but don’t need to say it aloud. Ishq ka zyada izhaar karo toh kharaab ho jaata hai,” he maintains.

Over the years, Jackie has acted in around 13 languages, from Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Oriya and Bengali to Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Gujarati and Konkani, and considers the present to be the best phase of his career. “My son (Tiger Shroff) is the youngest action hero in the world and I’m known as Tiger ka baap today. After doing 220 films, I’m known as Tiger ka baap,” the proud father beams, adding, “My daughter Krishna is running her gym, interesting roles are coming my way, what can be better than this?”

Considering that his daughter has assisted on films, why isn’t she pursuing a career in films? “Salman (Khan) wanted to make a film with her, many others also asked, but my daughter is not interested in an acting career,” he signs off.

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; September 1, 2019)

In the 80s and 90s, the audience saw him lip-synching the classic, So Gaya Yeh Jahan from Tezaab (1988) and matching Govinda move-fora-move in Aankhen (1993). Chunky Panday, who returned to the lives of cinegoers with characters like Aakhri Pasta in Housefull (2010), is now juggling his schedule between multiple films, two of which present him as a villain. While it may not be easy to laugh at oneself, it’s an art that he has mastered and is gradually passing on the tricks to his 20-year-old daughter Ananya, who made her debut this year with Student Of The Year 2. In a chat with BT, Chunky discusses his current phase in the industry, his daughter’s acting career and what his mistakes have taught him. Excerpts…

Your new innings as an actor is in full force with films like Prassthanam, Jawani Jaaneman and Housefull 4, where you play diametrically different characters. Is this the most satisfying time of your professional life?
Yes, it is. I am also doing a Marathi film called Bhangarwala in which I play an Arab; after seeing that, I don’t think they will let me enter Dubai (laughs!). Before this, the only regional cinema I had tried was Bangladeshi (laughs even more), which means I’ve also done Bengali films.

I’ve been a great fan of Pran, Mehmood, Amjad Khan, Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor and Amrish Puri. I can’t ever dream of coming close to these guys and the characters they’ve immortalised. Deva Katta, who made the original Prassthanam, felt that I could play the grey character in his story. I’ve just tried to remember the masters of such characters in Indian cinema while playing this one, with the hope that I, too, can achieve that glory.

Given that you are being offered performance-driven parts now, would you say that you’re finally coming into your own?
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that. We are actually living in the golden phase of this craft. Today, newer platforms have opened up avenues for actors. If you realise, I haven’t done much work in about 30 years as an actor. I may have 94 films to my credit, but only about 75 have been released. I am less exposed and also lucky to get the characters I have today. Also, people didn’t ever forget me entirely. I guess I stayed at the back of their minds. The second innings started with characters like Aakhri Pasta and that Nepali guy in Apna Sapna Money Money (2006). The intention was to impress the younger audience. The subsequent characters, like the ones in Begum Jaan (2017) and Prassthanam, are bonuses. I would like to believe what my wife Bhavana often says when we fight. She says, ‘There is a little devil hiding in you and you are evil personified.’ That’s a statement every wife makes when the couple fights, but I took it a tad bit seriously and decided to prove her right (Laughs!). My wife was petrified to see my look in Begum Jaan. Ananya was taken aback, but impressed. Doing negative characters had some impact at home. My younger daughter (Rysa) and wife didn’t talk to me for days after Begum Jaan released. I played a devilish guy who feeds dogs to people, while at home, I am a dog lover. When I grew a beard for that part, my daughters refused to come close to me, because I wore this weird look on my face, unlike the daddy they knew. And my wife? She refused to kiss my cheeks or hug me. So, coming into my own has not been easy.

How has this new phase changed you as an actor?
It’s made me a lot more confident, but I would say that the directors, too, had a huge role to play. To do Prassthanam and Housefull 4 in the same year is a big deal for me. I was stepping into the comedy franchise, which is almost like home to me, after doing two badass characters. The after-effect of playing those parts was that I was finding it hard to slip into Aakhri Pasta (his character in Housefull 4). The transition between roles was a challenge. Your mind tends to get confused, and you need the director’s support. I am not the greatest actor on earth, and I depend a lot on my director. Even for Prassthanam, I depended a lot on Deva Katta. If left to me, I will do the same navrasas in every film. I can trust the actor in me, but I need a chance to show something new every time. That new thing is the director’s take on the character. I always ask for that.

Jackie Shroff, Gulshan Grover, Sanjay Dutt — a bunch of your colleagues from the 1980s and 1990s — seem to have a better repertoire today than you did. As a leading man in the 1990s, why did you drop out of the scene, that, too, soon after a hit like Aankhen?
I had no option. I arrived on the scene in 1987. Govinda had come a year earlier, and in quick succession, we had Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn. There was one new face every year. My honeymoon got over in no time with so many heroes arriving on the scene. My solo-hero films did average business, but the multi-starrers did very well. In this industry, you should never underestimate or overestimate anyone. When I went to Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh’s wedding reception, I met filmmaker Shankar. He remembered me instantly, but it took me a while to recall that he was assisting a South filmmaker on Jai Shiv Shankar — a film I did for Rajesh Khanna’s company, which never released. Imagine, Shankar was an assistant on that film! So, you cannot discount anyone. I have seen things change overnight for people, from good to bad and terrible to great. I always feel that one should maintain a balance with people. Don’t write them off and don’t chase them crazily.

But didn’t you get almost written off when you decided to work in Bangladeshi films?
It was a phase of a meltdown. I was thinking of switching careers. I had the biggest hit in the country, Aankhen, to my name but I didn’t get much work after that. I moved to Bangladeshi films and kept doing films there because they worked. I was just running away from myself. I somehow wanted to continue being an actor, because if I didn’t, then I would have to find an alternate profession. It was Bhavna who got me back here. She told me that even in Bangladesh, people know me as Chunky from Bollywood. Filmmaker Harry Baweja gave me my first role during that phase in Qayamat: City Under Threat (2003). Things changed from there. There are times when you ask yourself why certain things happened and what went wrong. I think I made a lot of good choices, but I also made many mistakes; I was meant to make them. For instance, I left Tridev (1989) for another film. Everyone makes mistakes and learns from them. Today, if I get a great character, I do it, no matter what. I wish I was as wise a few years ago. It took me some soul searching and introspection to be like this. I was getting characters even back then, but my mind was not ready for them. Today, I am thick-skinned, and I have no ego. I change my colours like a chameleon, and I can laugh at myself. That makes life easier for an actor.

Isn’t it strange that when you decided to come back, the work didn’t really come from the friends who you often hang out with?
It didn’t come from friends because I have never depended on them to give me work and I don’t like bringing work between us.

While you are clearly enjoying your second innings, your daughter Ananya has started her career…
I am damn excited for her. I was also scared about that at one point. The most important thing for any actor is to be accepted by the audience. I’ve always told this to Ananya because there’s just that much advice I can dole out. She’ll have to figure her way through this on her own, making her own choices and her own mistakes. I’ve always told her that no one can ever predict the box-office success of a film, because a billion people decide that. I stopped worrying when I saw Student Of The Year 2 at a private screening. Bhavna and I were sure she would find acceptance. There’s no harm in being excited and optimistic, but one should never get carried away.

Ananya has entered the industry at a time when actors have to face pressure beyond box-office performance of their films. Social media pressure is a major aspect today...
Yes, the golden phase of show-business has its own perils. I’m proud of my daughter’s initiative to fight social media bullying instead of giving in to it. It’s a nasty thing that affects so many people. Someone had to bell the cat and Ananya has taken the lead. She’s 20 and doing something brave for her age. Today, I just hope that she enjoys everything she does. She did well academically, but she’s learning things now, and things that will help her survive in an industry like ours. She did her formal training in acting, but no university can teach you things that Bollywood can. And trust me, it teaches you too many lessons very quickly.

Link-ups with co-actors happened in the 1990s, and they happen even today. Within six months of her debut, Ananya has already faced such a situation...
Yes, she got linked very early on in her career, but as they say, you live and die by the sword. It happened then and it happens now. You can’t control it, whether you’re married or single. I only tell her to take it in her stride, what else can I advise her on this? Even as an actor, when she asks me my opinion on her scripts, I don’t say much, because I want her to make her decisions and stand by those, forever.