Sanjay Dutt

As Sanjay Dutt excitedly awaits the release of Knock Out and the birth of his twins, he tells Neeraja Murthy about films and tweets

Films change, but not Sanjay Dutt. The lovable tapori doctor Munnabhai who wowed the audiences with his dose of jaadoo ki jhappi is getting ready with a new prescription. His new movie Knock Out, written and directed by Mani Shankar, is set for an October 15 release.

Asked if he’s excited or nervous about the film, Dutt says: “I am quite excited.” Director Mani Shankar, sitting besides him, chips in: “An actor of Sanjay’s stature , who’s been in the industry for 30 years, cannot be nervous.” Interviewing Sanjay Dutt is not easy as the actor is extremely diffident, and prefers not to talk about himself. Terming Knock Out a commercial thriller, Dutt says: “The movie is fast-paced. It is a complete package — with good dialogues and screenplay.” The movie jams high on technology. While Dutt plays a lone ranger, Irrfan Khan, a street-smart investment banker, gives him company.

About the role, Dutt says: “When Mani narrated the script, I was raring to go. After the first day of the shoot, I realised I was doing the most difficult thing — I had to imagine Irrfan Khan was in front of me, and deliver dialogues without seeing him and his reactions. Acting means participating, and it was tough to visualise and perform.”

Considering that his method of acting is pretty defined, Dutt’s preparation for the movie was no different from what he’s been doing. “I am not an actor who goes through his scripts, and broods over a role for months. I am more of a director’s actor, and believe in his / her characterisation. I like to mould a role in the way the director wants,” he says.

Ask him about his twitter experience, and Dutt looks thrilled. “I got into twitter to reach out to my fans, because I heard it was a great place to connect with the audience. I am not too net-savvy, so, I just log in once a week, and keep posting.”

On the personal front, there is double joy awaiting him — wife Maanyata is pregnant with twins.

On the professional front, his plate is full. He is doing Rajkumar Santoshi’s Power, Munnabhai 3, No Problem and a film under his home production – Neeraja Murthy

Sanjay Dutt

Sanjay Dutt is at an interesting phase in his career. At a time when the men in cinema ( Rajinikanth, Ajay Devgn, Salman Khan) have been standing up and delivering; Sanju is getting ready for a challenge too.

Yes, the countdown has begun. AAP Entertainment and Sohail Maklai’s ‘Knock Out’, a fast-paced thriller that brings together Sanjay Dutt, Irrfan Khan and Kangna Ranaut together for the first time, releases worldwide on October 15. And Sanju is pretty confident about the film. Says he, “Mani Shankar and I went wrong with ‘Rudraksh’. It was a film slightly ahead of its time. But I have full faith in Mani as a director. He’s really good with the thriller genre. I only did ” Knock Out” because the script had novelty. And my role is the backbone of the film.”

‘Knock Out’ has the right amount of twists and turns to keep the viewers rivetted. Says Sanju, “The film is a suspense thriller. So, obviously, there is very little I can say without giving away the plot line. But I can tell you that “Knock Out” can hook the audience because it’s a smart-sassy film that takes on anti-nationals. I play a deshbhakt and I’m very sure the patriotic dialoguebaazi will bring the house down.”

Personally too, the actor confesses to being in a very calm and collected phase of his life. He has given up alcohol because he says, “Life is giving me the high I need. My wife, Manyata, is expecting twins sometime in November-end. And I’m very settled in my head.”

Sanju has never been a very avaricious guy but he’s got more work at 51 than most other Bollywood actors have. In 2011, the actor will be seen in Indra Kumar’s ‘Double Dhamaal’, Raj Kumar Santoshi’s ‘Power’, Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Department’ and David Dhawan’s ‘Rascals’. “I will also start to shoot for Rajkumar Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s third edition to ‘Munna Bhai’,” he says. “Yes,” he laughs. “All the world is a stage. And, I’m happy for the career breaks I’ve got.” – Meena Iyer

Sanjay Dutt

It isn’t an easy situation. Sanjay Dutt, who has had a chequered relationship at best with his New York-based daughter Trishala, won’t be able to attend her graduation ceremony, a singularly special day for Americans as parents join their children to celebrate the completion of their degrees in a ceremony titled commencement.

Sanjay Dutt’s application for his visa renewal (he had a 10-year visa to visit the United States) was rejected for the second time by the US consulate on the grounds that he was convicted for the 1993 serial blasts, for illegal possession of arms.

A source close to Dutt reveals, “The actor was very disheartened as he is unable to go to the US for his own daughter’s graduation day.

Commencement or Graduation Day is a big deal in the US and he wanted to be with his daughter on her big day.

Trishala is graduating from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City.” Ironically, Trishala was so traumatised by Sanju baba’s tryst with the legal system that she took up law as a career option. And now daddy himself will be missing.

The source continues, “Sanjay Dutt had a 10-year visa which expired. Dutt had re-applied twice but has been rejected both times.

The actor has been flying all over the world for his shoots and location scouting, but just can’t get a visa to America, which is one of the most important countries for him at the moment.”

Sanjay Dutt’s manager, Dharam Oberoi, confirms and says, “Sanjay sir was very keen to attend his daughter’s Trishala’s graduation but only faced disappointment each time he applied.

He has been applying for a US visa for more than two years.

He even flew down mid-way from his shoots in Bangkok and South Africa when summoned by the consulate for impromptu interviews. Yet he was not issued a visa.”

Guess it would be a lonely graduation for daddy’s girl. But wisdom comes with pain.