Heat And Dutt!

The audacious Veere Di Wedding, the brawn-fest Race 3 and the life and times of a controversial superstar, Sanju… set the box-office into an overdrive

1st Prize

LONG WALK TO FREEDOM

“I am not a terrorist!” was the punchline of Karan Johar’s My Name Is Khan. This line appears to be the sole reason, why Sanjay Dutt perhaps gave a nod to this biopic. The film goes all out to prove his innocence in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case. Starting with his drug phase, where he was stoned even at the premiere of his debut Rocky, Sanju primarily explores the actor’s relationship with his dad Sunil Dutt (Paresh Rawal) and his US-based bestie Kamlesh (Vicky Kaushal). His striking scenes are with Dutt saab, notably the dockyard shot where the baap beta sing Naa sar jhuka ke jiyo.

There’s no reference to his two failed marriages before he wed Maanayata (Dia Mirza). Even his daughter Trishala is missing from the screenplay. All we get is his first girlfriend Ruby (Sonam Kapoor), who ditches him for his vices. And his confession that he bedded 350 women, excluding prostitutes. Director Rajkumar Hirani, a master at humour and drama, highlights what we ought to know about Dutt. The performances are top class though. Paresh Rawal is brilliant.Vicky Kaushal plays the Gujju friend to perfection. Anushka Sharma and Dia Mirza leave an impression. Special mention must be made of Manisha Koirala, who is graceful as Nargis Dutt. Ranbir Kapoor owns the film. Whether it’s snorting coke in a US bar or turning RJ for jail inmates, he’s incredibly flawless. Wish the biopic too, was that honest!

Sumeet Nadkarni, Mumbai

COMEBACK FOR RANBIR