When Sanjay Dutt Saw Ranbir Kapoor’s Pic & Thought It Was Him...
Imitation is the best form of flattery, they say. Director Rajkumar Hirani, whose film Sanju hits theatres this weekend, was at the receiving end of such adulation recently...
Speaking exclusively to SpotboyE.com, filmmaker Rajkumar
Hirani reveals that Sanjay Dutt was still in prison when Ranbir Kapoor was
finalised for Sanju. 3 months later, Hirani shared a pic of Ranbir from the
sets of the film with Dutt, believe it or not, Sanjay thought it was his own
picture.
“3 months later, After i cast him, I took a picture of Ranbir, a slightly
long shot, and sent it to him (Sanjay Dutt). He replied: Why you sending me my
photo? I said to myself, Kaam ho gaya” said the filmmaker.
Sanjay Dutt
What was Dutt’s reaction to Ranbir’s casting for titular
role in his biopic? Hirani reveals, “I didn't tell him soon, but Sanju was very
happy as he is fond of Ranbir. It might have crossed his mind how Ranbir would
carry it out, but I guess he trusted me and never expressed his reservations if
any.”
A short while back we told you that Ranbir Kapoor
was a little hesitant about the biopic, when the PK hitmaker first approached
him. Hirani sent a text message first to gauge Ranbir’s
interest and availability for the project. “Yes, I sent him a text. I told him
I want to see him for a film. It was known by then that I am planning a film on
Sanjay's life. Ranbir replied: Hope it's not the Sanjay Dutt biopic.”
Sanju Poster
It did take some convincing on the part of Hirani to hold
Ranbir’s interest. “I wrote to him in return: Hai toh wahi, but listen to it at
least once. He heard it, felt that it had potential and immediately said
'yes'.”
With just days to go before Hirani’s labour of love hits
cinemas, excitement around the biopic is at its peak. Also starring Dia Mirza, Manisha Koirala, Paresh Rawal, Jim
Sarabh, Boman Irani, Sonam Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, Sanju is all set to take
the nation by storm.
Stay tuned for a no-holds-barred interview with Rajkumar
Hirani coming up soon. We'll be right back!
