‘I CAN’T BE STRICT WITH MY KIDS’

Macho man Sanjay Dutt proves to be a mushy father — loving and protective with only the occasional scolding

The father-daughter relationship in his next film, Bhoomi, attracted Sanjay Dutt to this venture, which marks his much awaited comeback.

Dutt, who has a grown-up daughter, Trishala, and young twins, Iqra and Shahraan, says, “The relationship between a father and a daughter appealed to me. The story is set in a small town — the events that happen, where my character goes to get justice. It’s the bonding that grows between the father and the daughter [as the story moves], which is amazing.”

In his 36-year career — it started in 1981 with the blockbuster Rocky — Dutt has headlined many hits, and immortalised the character of Munnabhai, the loveable goon. He has also got steadily more selective about his films. Asked about his criteria, he says, “A story has to appeal [to me] in the first 10 minutes of narration. Dus minute mein baat samajh aa gayi toh theek, nahi samajh aayi toh gadbad hai. It’s like how you see the promo of a film — you know if you want to watch it or not.”

The tough patch and legal troubles that he went through define a significant phase of Dutt’s life. Commenting on it, he says, “It hasn’t really changed me. But yes, it has made me more mature, more patient, and more responsible. These are positive changes.”

As a family man, he has a special relationship with Trishala. Dutt says, “Every father has got a special attachment with his daughter. I’ve seen it that most fathers have that special bond.” She toyed with the idea of acting, and then decided to work in fashion. Dutt says that he gives Trishala no career advice, “because I don’t understand fashion these days”.

While he describes himself as a “very protective and loving” father, Dutt admits, “I can’t be strict with my kids. I used to tell my wife that when we have kids, I’d be a strict father… I try not to spoil them, but I can’t say no to them. Kabhi kabhi daat deta hoon, phir woh aise muh bana ke aaj jaate hai, [that] I feel bad.”

This is a situation quite different from the relationship the actor had with his own father, screen legend Sunil Dutt. “I was in awe of my father,” he recalls. “I used to love and respect him.” These feelings weren’t expressed in so many words, but “it was understood between him and me”, says Dutt. “Those days and those men were different.”

I used to tell my wife that when we have kids, I’d be a strict father… [now] I try not to spoil them, but I can’t say no to them SANJAY DUTT, ACTOR

PHOTO: PRAMOD THAKUR/HT