Movie Memories

Politician Priya Dutt’s movie memoirs owe much to the luminous presence of her actor parents – the late Nargis and Sunil Dutt, writes Farhana Farook

- Farhana Farook

She’s well-acquainted with the intricacies of cinema and well-versed with the intrigue of politics. Few would have a ringside view of such hi-profile worlds. Daughter of film personalities and renowned politicians, the late Sunil and Nargis Dutt, Priya Dutt, is conversant with the melody of the movies as well as the mayhem of power play. That she chose politics has got much to do with her desire to make a difference, despite the usual misgivings and challenges associated with the line of work. “You do feel disillusioned. But you can’t give up,” maintains she with a hard-earned flair. You could also attribute this to the extreme highs and lows that their home, 58 Pali Hill, has been privy to and the forbearance with which the family has survived it all. That explains why the Julia Robert’s starrer Wonder (2017), the braveheart story of a boy surmounting challenges, is Priya’s new favourite. Here, she recalls her memories of the movies, which carry large imprints of her celebrated parents and brother Sanjay Dutt...

CHILDHOOD TALES

As a child, I was not aware of the stardom of my parents (the late Sunil and Nargis Dutt). For me my mother was just that - a mother! I don’t remember seeing too many of her films. Though I did watch my father’s movies. I remember watching the film, where he plays a dacoit (Mujhe Jeeno Do, 1963) and dies. I began howling. They had to calm me down and lead me out of the theatre.