Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 2, 2020)

Our favourite stars may have often been in the line of fire for their unwillingness to take a stand on pressing issues, but Bollywood has stood strong and united in the fight against the Coronavirus pandemic, lending a helping hand to those in need. In the 10 days since the campaign, I Stand With Humanity, was announced on social media, it has become a movement of sorts with several celebrities contributing generously, thus enabling the supply of essentials to one million homes.

Author and screenwriter Pankaj Dubey, who is the official spokesperson for the campaign that has nearly 15,000 volunteers, tells mid-day, "The initiative was started by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Rajkumar Hirani and Mahaveer Jain, but soon bigwigs like Karan Johar, Ekta Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Rohit Shetty, Dinesh Vijan, and many others joined in. We have reached out to over one million families in the past seven days."

Explaining their course of action, he shares, "The account details have been shared on social media, and stars and the common people have been donating money. Using the funds, we have been distributing ration kits that contain about 10 to 15 days' food. We have also supplied these kits to daily wage workers across the country, including one lakh of them from Bollywood. Our volunteers are going door-to-door supplying the essentials." Dubey says the organisation has tied up with local authorities to enable smooth functioning. "In Mumbai, we have tied up with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation [BMC]. The volunteers have been identified by them, and only they are allowed to be out and about."

Currently functioning across six states and Delhi, the initiative aims to reach out to other pockets of the country in the coming days. "We are active in Maharashtra, Delhi, West Bengal, Odisha, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh."

Madhureeta Mukherjee (BOMBAY TIMES; April 10, 2019)

A38-year-long career dotted with some unforgettable films, a personal life underlined with trials of the toughest kind, and triumphs that were life-changing — Sanjay Dutt has seen it all. What’s not changed, though, in all of this is his unbeatable style, swag, spirit — attributes that earned him the title of the Deadly Dutt. The two films (Bhoomi and Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3) that marked his comeback, didn’t leave an impression on the audience or the box office, and without a moment’s hesitation, the actor confesses that they were ‘mistakes’. But now, he’s all set to steer his career in newer directions, starting with Abhishek Varman’s upcoming period drama, Kalank. In a quick chat with BT, he tells us about working with the new breed, how the ways of the industry have changed, and most of all, how he wants the youth to learn from his life’s experiences. Read on…

Apparently, late filmmaker Yash Johar had discussed the story of Kalank with his son Karan Johar many years ago. Were you part of any of those discussions?
Yes, I briefly knew about it. He had spoken about it and I am glad that Abhishek (Varman) turned Yash uncle’s dream into reality on celluloid. For me, this is like working in my home production because of Yash uncle and the relationship that we have shared with their family for so many years. It feels great to be part of such a huge film. Aaj kal people don’t make as many multi-starrers, like we did back in the day. So, I must say that it is a fantastic attempt. Even with so many actors working together, there wasn’t ever an iota of insecurity in any one of them.

When you work with the newer breed, do you see a huge difference in the way they operate, as compared to the way the actors of your generation did?
The young actors are far more prepared than we were. I love their confidence and the interest they take in every project that they sign up for. Their honesty shows in their performance. At a press conference, when Varun (Dhawan) was asked about his part in Kalank, he said, ‘Mein Zafar ko nahin jaanta tha, toh uske bachpan ke baare mein pata karna tha’. I don’t think most actors from our generation did such detailed research for our roles. Hum logon ne yeh sab kabhi kiya hi nahin (laughs!). We didn’t ask Ballu (his character in Khalnayak) ka bachpan kaisa tha? We just went on set, the camera rolled and we acted. I think the younger generation functions differently, which is good.

I guess it is also because the volume of work the older generation did in a year, was probably far more than what the newer actors do. Hence, they have the liberty to give that much more time to each project, right?
Yes, we never had the time to research our roles, or get into the part. We were doing so many films at the same time and going from one set to the other. Mahesh Bhatt saab ne phone karke bola, ‘Yeh film karni hai’, and without hearing anything more about it, bas, we would start working on it. Subhash Ghai would call and say, ‘Sanju, yeh picture hai, sign kar dena’. Bas, kar diya. That was the kind of trust we shared with filmmakers. And we knew that the onus is on Subhash ji and Bhatt saab. So, if they are signing us on, they will do justice to our part in the film. They always did and hence, we formed the kind of strong relationships that we did.

Talking about that, a lot of actors from the previous generation would agree that today, relationships are different in the industry…
(Cuts in) Yes, the relationships within the industry are very different now. Today, the film industry has become far more competitive, it wasn’t like this in the past. Back then, we didn’t pay much attention to things like… doosre actors kiski picture kar raha hai, kaise kar raha hai and all that. We took on all the work we got, and we were happy with that.

Was there nostalgia on the sets, when Madhuri Dixit-Nene and you came together to face the camera after a gap of around 25 years?
We have worked together in so many films, so to come back and work together after so many years was an amazing feeling. At least, for me. She was a fantastic actor then, but to progress and become the kind of actress that she is now, is commendable. She is so dynamic. Everybody gets older, but to still look the way she does, and continue being in such form as an actor is something else.

Like the film industry, the media has also undergone a huge change over the years. Observing you at any press conference, one can say that you feel awkward at such huge media events…
Haan, thoda awkwardness ho jaata hai when I am on stage at such events, and when the media is asking me questions. In the past, we had a more personal connect with every person of the media and we had time to bond with them. Even now, when I meet some of these older photographers, I love them as they have grown up with me. That old equation we had with the media has changed over time.

Your last couple of films — Omung Kumar’s Bhoomi and Tigmanshu Dhulia’s Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 — didn’t leave the kind of impact you expected. Did that make you rethink the kind of films that you want to do?
I feel that Bhoomi and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster 3 were mistakes. That is not how the audience wants to see me. Wherever I travelled to, that’s the feedback I got from the audience. They want to see me as the ‘Baba’ that they have seen on screen all these years. I am not criticising those films, what I am saying is that they were not meant for me. Lekin theek hai, now I am trying different roles and I am excited about my line-up of films.

So, a lot more thought is going into choosing roles?
Yes, absolutely. A lot of thought is going into every film that I am doing now. I know that it has to be commercial; I need to do some action, and a few comedies, too.

How did you feel watching your biopic (Sanju) on screen? Is there anything that you would like to change? Were there some specific moments that really moved you?
It was a great, humbling feeling. The film did extremely well and Ranbir (Kapoor) was fantastic in it. The way they put out my story… it was like jo hai woh hai, aur yehi hai. There were several moments in the film when I got emotional, but the scene where my dad passes away, it brought back a lot of memories.

The original Sadak (starring Pooja Bhatt and Sanjay Dutt), which was a huge success the year it released (1991), is getting a sequel with Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Pooja Bhatt and you. The best part being, Mahesh Bhatt is returning to direction after nearly 20 years. Given your equation with him, did you have a role to play in convincing him to helm the film?
It feels awesome doing this film, especially because it is Bhatt saab who is directing it. For him to get excited again and make this film, yes, it is a big deal. And yes, I was partially responsible for convincing him to direct the film. At first he said, ‘Main likh ke de doonga, koi doosra direct karega’. During the narration, I was so moved that I told him, ‘If you don’t direct it, I won’t do it’. I put him in a spot! My main reason for doing it is Bhatt saab, as I believe that he’s one of the most amazing directors that we have.

The theme of Kalank is that…love conquers all. Do you personally believe that?
In my life, I am blessed and lucky that I have received so much love from family, the film industry, media, fans and friends. Yes, love helped me conquer everything, even through my toughest phase and my jail term.

You have been doing your fair bit to involve yourself in campaigns that spread awareness about drug abuse. You have openly spoken to the youth at various forums to address this issue, which is a growing concern in our society. Apart from your film career, is this also an area you plan to focus on?
I am doing this campaign along with guru ji (Sri Sri Ravi Shankar), and I am trying to do something else with the help of the government. This cause is extremely close to my heart. I think this is one cause people are not focusing on as much as they should. We are talking about tomorrow’s generation; they can’t go down a path, which will destroy them. I want to tell them my story, as I want them to learn from my mistakes. My whole life has been an open book, right from the beginning, so mujhe kya chupana hai? If my experiences can help them follow the right path, I will do all that I can to engage with them and talk about my experiences. The youth should know that drug addiction is a disease and it’s not something that can’t be conquered. Yes, it is difficult, but one faces a lot of difficult things in life. For instance, to walk up all the way to reach the shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi is very difficult, but ultimately, when you reach there, it is bliss, right? What I am trying to say is that, it is tough to deal with this disease, but it can be fought and conquered.

There were rumours of you contesting the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, but you denied it. Such speculations always surface because your family has been associated with politics for years. You have no political ambitions right now?
I will definitely be a part of my sister Priya’s (Dutt) campaign, I will support her. Other than that, I am not interested in being a part of politics. Woh ho gaya tha ek time, now I just want to do movies.

Badshah, Gurdas Maan, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sanjay Dutt, Mahaveer Jain at the event

MUMBAI MIRROR (February 21, 2019)

In a historic event spread over Tuesday and Wednesday, one crore students from 12,000 colleges across the country took a pledge against drugs with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Sanjay Dutt, Kapil Sharma, Badshah and Mahaveer Jain in Hissar, Haryana, and a Chandigarh university, over a live web-cast.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also joined the movement through the web-cast, saying, “I congratulate and support the initiative launched to uproot the problem. I am happy that the entertainment and sports industries have come out in support. Drugs are a great menace to society.” Adding that people consuming drugs unknowingly help those involved in the killing of our brave soldiers, he added, “Drug traders are in contact with foreign forces, who try to undermine the country’s youth and its economic strength.”


Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Rajkumar Hirani, Varun Dhawan, Katrina Kaif, Bhushan Kumar, Karan Johar, Sonakshi Sinha, Parineeti Chopra, Nitesh Tiwari, Ekta Kapoor, Tiger Shroff, Ayushmann Khurrana, Vicky Kaushal, Shilpa Shetty, Gurdas Maan, Kartik Aaryan, Kriti Sanon, Ritesh Sidhwani and Arjun Kapoor, among others, also joined the cause.

Film producer Mahaveer Jain was instrumental in bringing all the people together for this much-needed initiative of art of living foundation.

As they kick off the anti-drug campaign in Chandigarh next week, Sanjay Dutt, Sonakshi Sinha plan roadshows to spread the message among youth; Aamir Khan in talks for the next leg of promotions
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; February 16, 2019)

It was only a fortnight ago that several Bollywood celebrities - including Sanjay Dutt, Aamir Khan, Sonakshi Sinha and Varun Dhawan - announced their association with Sri Sri Ravi Shankar's campaign for a drug-free India. Before the initiative kicks off at Chandigarh University on February 18, mid-day has learnt that the stars have planned roadshows as they travel from one college to another in a bid to spread the message among students.

Producer Mahaveer Jain, who is one of the organisers behind the Drug-Free India campaign, says, "We will launch the campaign at the Chandigarh University in Mohali at 11 am, in the presence of thousands of students. Sanjay, Sonakshi, Badshah, Kapil Sharma and Varun Sharma will be present at the event along with Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji, where students will pledge against using drugs. From there, we plan to head to the next university as a caravan, where the stars will travel with the students, thus giving the youngsters an opportunity to interact with them. We plan to replicate the format in the other cities. We want to make it a people's movement where they can participate and engage with the stars; hence, the road shows."

The producer adds that the team is currently in the process of procuring the permission for the Mohali and Hisar leg of the promotion. "We are working on getting a final police permission as the crowds may pose a security concern."

Rumours suggest that Aamir Khan may participate in the events that are scheduled in Mumbai. However, Jain clarifies, "We are planning to have the next event in March. We will invite Aamir only after we have zeroed in on the city; right now, it's a toss-up between Mumbai and Delhi. Aamir has promised to lend his support to our journey, as has filmmaker Karan Johar. Sanjay, Kapil and Badshah will be part of all the events across the country. In fact, the trio and Sonakshi were so supportive of the campaign that they paid for their flight tickets to Punjab. They didn't charge a penny."

An innocuous tweet by Twinkle Khanna invited hostile response from Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s followers, who even demanded a boycott of Akshay Kumar’s films. Ironically, the spiritual leader’s foundation professes peace and harmony
MID-DAY (May 9, 2016)

Earlier this month, spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar drew criticism on social media for his remark on Pakistani teen activist Malala Yousafzai. He had said, “Nowadays there is no value to the Nobel prize. When you award it to a 16-year-old girl who hasn’t done anything, what value is left? It has become a political joke.”

Twinkle Khanna, who’s known for her ready wit and fiercely independent views, also made what seemed like a harmless, funny barb at the spiritual leader’s comment, on Twitter. Soon after, all hell broke loose as several followers of Sri Sri’s Art of Living course, started trolling the actress-turned-writer.

Realising that she might have stepped out of line, Twinkle was quick to delete the said tweet and apologise with another post saying, ‘Didn’t mean to hurt anyone’s feelings was meant to be a joke and am old enough to accept an error of judgement on my part (sic).’ However, a series of trolls from his followers kept pouring in, some even going to the ridiculous extent of initiating a protest and demanding that films of Twinkle’s actor- husband Akshay Kumar be boycotted by their ilk.

A source observes, “It is rather surprising and disturbing that the followers of a course that presumably teaches purporting peace would resort to such lengths when someone chooses to not agree with them or their leader.”