‘I TRY NOT TO SPOIL MY KIDS’
Sanjay Dutt says he can’t be strict with his children and that it is different from the relationship he had with his late father, Sunil Dutt
Sanjay Dutt will soon be seen in his muchawaited comeback film, Bhoomi. The actor has been part of a variety of movies in his career and has won accolades for some characters that he has managed to not only popularise but immortalise through the years in films such as the Munna Bhai series and Vaastav: The Reality (1999), among others. In a tête-à-tête with HT Café, the senior actor talks about his comeback venture and his relationship with his kids — Trishala, Shahran and Iqra.
Why did you choose Bhoomi as your comeback film?
The relationship between a father and daughter in the film appealed to me. The story is set in a small town. The bond between the father and daughter becomes stronger as my character goes through various situations to get justice, which is amazing.
What’s your criterion for signing a project, and has it changed over the years?
I sign them on the basis of the script. For me, a story just has to appeal to me in the first 10 minutes of narration. Dus minute main baat samajh aa gayi toh theek, nahi samajh aayi, toh gadbad hai (If I understand the concept in 10 minutes, fine, or else there is some issue). It’s like how you see the promo of a film. You know whether you want to see the film or not by watching the promo. Nowadays, of course, it works differently — actors hear the entire narration and go through the script repeatedly. I can’t do that.
After going through a tough phase in life, in what ways has it changed you as a person?
It hasn’t really changed me. But yes, it has made me more mature, more patient and more responsible. These are good and positive changes that have happened.
How has your relationship evolved with your daughter Trishala over the years?
Every father has a special attachment with his daughters. I’ve seen it universally that most fathers have a special bond with their daughters.
I’ve seen it universally that most fathers have that special bond with their daughters. SANJAY DUTT, ACTOR
She wanted to, at one point of time, but then she grew out of that phase, which is good. Also, she is more into fashion. I don’t because I don’t understand fashion these days. I am very protective and loving. I can’t be strict with my kids. I used to tell my wife (Maanayata Dutt), ‘When we have kids I will be a strict father’. But I am the worst when it comes to being strict or stern. I try not to spoil them but I can’t say no to them as well. Kabhi kabhi daant deta hoon, phir woh aise mooh bana ke aa jaate hai (Sometimes I scold them, but then they make such sad faces), I feel bad. It was different because I was in awe of my father. I used to love and respect him. If I would get scared of him, that only meant that I’d have done something wrong. Nahi toh darr kis baat ka (Otherwise why would one fear). But yes, those days were different. No, it was understood between him and me. He never told me that ‘I love you my son’ or expressed his feelings. It was very rare when he said that. Those days, and those men, were different. Mujhe Jeene Do (1963) is a film I always wanted to be made in modern times. It’s about a gangster and a prostitute. It is different and weird. But that’s the way it is, and you got to do it. It’s professional yet non-professional. It is intruding and irritating. It was different earlier, journalists and actors used to share a different equation. It is not the same anymore. The relation that actors shared with journalists was amazing. I don’t interfere with it nor do I accept it. I just do my own work. Those days there were no monitors but the directors would okay a scene without looking at the monitor. That was talent. Now, once the shot is over, everyone rushes to check the monitor to see a take, yet they make mistakes. I don’t believe in it, and I don’t watch the monitor.