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I AM LIKE MUNNABHAI IN REAL LIFE: SANJAY DUTT
The actor looks back on his career till date and shares that the Munnabhai films will always remain closest to his heart, as they changed a lot in his life
In a career spanning over three-and-a-half decades in Bollywood, actor Sanjay Dutt has done almost 150 odd films. But when asked about the one film or character that changed his life, the actor says with a smile, “Definitely Munnabhai.” It’s been 14 years since Munnabhai M.B.B.S. released and Dutt says it will always remain the closest to his heart, as he can relate to it at various levels. “That’s [Munnabhai] one character, which defines me. That’s actually me, how I am in real life. It’s such a beautiful character that became a part of every family in India. Him and Circuit [character played by Arshad Warsi], together spread happiness all around. It changed a lot [of things] in my life and it’ll always be an amazing journey to remember,” Dutt elaborates.
Talking of the famous ‘jaadoo ki jhappi’ from the 2003 film that became a way of life for many, the 58-year-old actor adds, “I feel amused to see how it has become an essential part of so many people’s lives. It’s like such a universal thing that Raju [director Rajkumar Hirani] has created.” Looking back on his journey in the industry, Dutt feels he’s been very lucky. Not just work and love from fans, the actor feels he has also earned some great friends. “It’s very rare to have so many people, in the form of close friends, loving you and standing by you when you need them the most. I feel blessed to have them all,” he says. Recalling the phase when industry friends supported his family while he was in jail, Dutt shares, “There were so many people to take care of my wife and kids. I got immense support from the industry. And I have no complaints at all. [Also] In life, you expect so many things and not everything materialises. But, I think, that is life. It’s better to accept it and move on instead of saying aisa kyun nahi hua and keep cribbing.”