There is an old American Indian proverb, “Never criticize a man until you’ve walked a mile in his moccasins.” After watching Sanju, based on the Indian actor Sanjay Dutt’s life, you’ll start thinking in the same way too. All the media spotlight that has been on his life has never been so disquieting as upon seeing Sanju.
Sanju Film Review
Sanjay Dutt has been in the news on umpteen occasions. While Sanju centers on the actor’s substance abuse and illegal possession of arms, it doesn’t make any qualms about portraying the media in a negative light.
Ranbir Kapoor who plays Sanjay Dutt invokes a distinct mannerism that is so characteristic of the actor. Jim Sarbh plays a pivotal role as a drug peddler-friend who initiates Sanjay Dutt into drugs. After being addicted to drugs, Sanjay Dutt’s life spins out of control. Not only does it affect his relationship with his girlfriend Ruby (Sonam Kapoor) but it also has an impact on his career. Amidst all this, his mother, Nargis Dutt (Manisha Koirala) is ailing, and that only aggravates his agony. He does find a friend in Kamlesh (Vicky Kaushal) who helps him steady his life along with his father Sunil Dutt (Paresh Rawal).
After staying in the rehab, Sanjay Dutt’s life seems to be back on track. However, as the second half unfolds, you find him embroiled in a different problem this time. Being found guilty of possessing weapons in the aftermath of the 1993 Mumbai blasts, he finds himself in prison on account of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act. Thus begins a long struggle that entails numerous hearings and prison time that in the end rectifies Sanjay Dutt’s tarnished image.
In all of his ups and downs, Sanjay Dutt as an actor excels beginning with his first film Rocky that is a runaway hit. Anushka Sharma plays a fictitious character, Winnie Diaz, a writer who Sanjay Dutt narrates his story to so that she may write his biography.
As an entertaining biopic, Sanju hits the right notes. It shies away from melodrama and tries to represent the real person truthfully. It also doesn’t spare the media which contributes in a significant way to Sanjay Dutt’s woes. The accuracy of this film might be open to debate. Also, the film mainly focuses on two chapters of his life, drugs, and possession of arms. It doesn’t talk much about the other facets of his life. Most of the things shown are either about his consumption of drugs or the possession of arms and the fallout from both.
Apart from the cinematic liberties that the director has taken, Sanju is striking in the portrayal of the father and son relationship. It shows how Sunil Dutt does everything possible to support his son through thick and thin. Earlier in the film, Sanjay Dutt is shown taking to drugs as he cannot match up to his father’s persona. However, the filmmakers pick and choose what they want to portray from Sanjay Dutt’s life, and the viewers should not expect to see his life in totality.
Out of all the actors, Ranbir Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, and Vicky Kaushal stand out. Commendable supporting roles come by way of Jim Sarbh, Boman Irani, and Dia Mirza. Anushka Sharma has a small but essential part in the movie.
If you can pick out two highlights of the film, it has to be Ranbir Kapoor’s spot on acting as well as the thoroughly convincing relationship that he shares with his father.
Sanju film review rates Sanju 
(3.5 / 5)
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