Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani recently opened up about his motivation behind making the biographical film Sanju on actor Sanjay Dutt’s life, addressing the accusations of “whitewashing” Dutt’s image in the process. In a candid interview with Komal Nahta on his YouTube channel Game Changers, Hirani explained that his decision to create the film was not driven by a close friendship with Dutt but by his “greed” for the compelling story that Dutt shared with him.
Hirani recalled how Sanjay Dutt, during a period of personal isolation, reached out to him while on parole. Despite having worked with Dutt on two previous films, Hirani emphasized that they were not close friends before this. “Our relationship was limited to work,” Hirani said. However, during their meetings, Dutt began opening up about his life, his father, and his struggles, prompting Hirani to realize that these stories could make for a powerful film. “I found the father-son equation interesting,” he noted, explaining that after meeting Dutt’s family and friends, the idea of Sanju came to life.
Hirani also addressed the criticisms that Sanju whitewashed Dutt’s image, especially concerning his involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bombings and his conviction for possessing illegal firearms. “I was asked if I made Sanju to whitewash his image. I said, ‘What is your problem with him?’ We showed him keeping the gun, his struggles with drug addiction, and even his wrongdoings. What more could I have shown to whitewash his image?” Hirani pointed out that the film presented a complete picture, revealing Dutt’s flaws along with his personal battles.
Hirani further clarified that he had no personal agenda or desperation to make a film on Dutt. “I wasn’t an out-of-work director,” he said. “I was just greedy for the story.” Hirani went on to describe how he consulted with Dutt’s friends, family, and even law enforcement to ensure accuracy, debunking myths about Dutt’s involvement in terrorist activities, such as the rumoured presence of a truck full of RDX at his home. “There was no truth to this,” Hirani added, explaining that his decision to make the film was driven by the fascinating nature of Dutt’s life.
In the same interview, Hirani also discussed his recent film Dunki and its underwhelming box office performance. “We put the same effort into all our films,” he said, acknowledging that while some stories resonate with audiences, others may not. “It’s difficult to predict what will work. I’m lucky when it does, but Dunki did not perform as expected.” Despite the film’s disappointing numbers, Hirani reflected on the unique challenge of crafting stories that blend entertainment with meaningful content.