Sanju [2017]

Language - Hindi
Director - Rajkumar Hirani
Run Time -
Genre - Drama/Biography
Starring - Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor and Manisha Koirala

After watching Sanju, I had some conflicting opinions. Although I really enjoyed Ranbir Kapoor and Paresh Rawal's performance, I felt that the movie gave us a very one-dimensional view of Sanjay Dutt. The movie concentrates too much on drugs for the first half, and then too much on terrorism for the second half. Moreover so, it seemed like a white-wash attempt by Raju Hirani to show his dear friend Sanjay Dutt in a bright light and blame the media for all that our 'Sanju' baba has suffered.

Also, I feel his life must have been much more than the drugs and terrorism charges, and maybe the other facets of his life would have shown a much complete picture? Like the movie completely discounts Sanjay Dutt's first two wives and also his daughter. Also, based on what I've read, Sonam Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal's roles both are amalgamations of various characters in his life and not at all original characters. The songs made zero sense and could have been left out, but then again, this is Bollywood.

I really like Vicky Kaushal, and adore him as an actor, but I felt he had such a stupid character to play. The entire premise where he realizes he never saw the question mark in the article is so over-the-top dramatic and does not make sense at all. Also, the jokes due to his accent in the movie seemed so crude.

But apart from the grievances, the ensemble cast is almost utter perfect. Each and every actor does complete justice to their role, from Jim Sarbh as 'God' the drugdealer, to Sonam Kapoor as Ruby and also Dia Mirza and Monisha Koirala as Manyata Dutt and Nargis respectively. Paresh Rawal is outstanding as always, playing the ever-loving father, Sunil Dutt. Saving the best for the last, no praise is enough for Ranbir Kapoor, who portrays Sanjay Dutt, and all his facets, effortlessly. Honestly, I wouldn't have enjoyed the film, as much as I did, if there was somebody else playing our titular character. Kudos to Ranbir Kapoor, I'm sure he is winning all acting awards next year.

An entertaining and dramatic flick, watch it for Ranbir and Paresh.

My Rating - 7.4/10