Director: Raj Kumar Hirani
Rating: ****
Ever since the Sanjay Dutt biopic was announced, it has piqued the cinegoers and everyone was waiting for the film with bated breaths. Today when the film is finally released we can say that it was worth the wait. Though most of us know almost everything about Sanjay Dutt because a celebrity's life cannot be hidden from anyone and it's all in the media and public platform. Still, there are few things which we certainly don't know about like how the superstar spent his life behind bars and what was his thoughts.
Director Rajkumar Hirani took a great risk by deciding to make a biopic on Sanjay Dutt's life and he certainly succeeded in his brave attempt. The film explores some of the untouched and unheard chapters of Sanjay Dutt's life.
Ranbir Kapoor as Sanjay Dutt is marvelous and he has portrayed Sanju's character with panache and sincerity. There is no denying the fact that Ranbir Kapoor is a class actor who can get into the skin of the character very easily. The way he has mastered Sanjay Dutt's style. Ranbir Kapoor shines all the way as Sanju and not only does his physical demeanor resemble that of Sanjay Dutt's, but he slips into his psyche too and becomes an extension of Dutt, making you see Dutt's life on screen.
The first half of the film is very gripping where Sanju battles with his drug addiction and some other life issues. The second half is more about his court cases.
Sanju is not just a biopic but the film emphasizes more on relationships and friendship. The father-son relationship has been portrayed beautifully and there is some most heart wrenching and touching moments in the film which belong to both of Sanju and his father. Similarly, the friendship bond between Sanju and his friend Kamlesh is beautiful.
Paresh Rawal as Sunil Dutt, Manisha Koirala as Nargis, Dia Mirza as Maanyata and Anushka Sharma as Winnie, all the actors have done a great job but there is one name which really stands tall among all these performers is Vicky Kaushal as Kamlesh. Vicky Kaushal has surely established himself as a great actor in the industry and his performance in Sanju will definitely win lots of accolades.
The film has some great production values. The visuals are eye soothing, the editing is great and music of the film is already popular among fans. 'Har Maidan Fateh and Ruby Ruby' go well with the storyline.
Overall it's a great film, a heartwarming tale with some powerful performances.
