Himanshu Manroa

Sanju is an event film. The most awaited biopic of the most controversial Bollywood star, from the most successful Bollywood director, portrayed by the most talented, current heartthrob. That makes it a very lofty and weighty proposition to begin with. Huge expectations! And Surprisingly, Sanju takes the weight of all these expectations with such remarkable ease and panache. So, does Ranbir makes for a good Sanjay Dutt? – Absolutely, he knocks it out of the park! One of the most nuanced, un-caricaturish, natural performance in a Biopic. But more than anything else, it is a Rajkumar Hirani film that has his distinct storytelling and stamp all over it. It could easily have been an extended ‘mimicry’ performance. It could easily have been a documentary. It could easily have been an attempt to ‘whitewash’ the mercurial Sanjay Dutt. But no it doesn’t. It rather follows the now familiar Raju Hirani path of an impressive screenplay interwoven with intimate mother-father-son-friendship moments. It’s an inspiring, emotional tale that takes you through a personal journey of flaws, mistakes, love, losses, falls, trials, tribulations…and ultimately, the feel-good element at the end of this bitter-sweet story. Five out of Five stars for this wonderful experience that has the capability to make you smile, laugh, guffaw, clap and then shed bucketfull of tears…throughout its runtime. At the end of it, when the lights are back and you look around, there are tears and there are smiles. That’s the hallmark of true-blue, wholesome entertainment! Of the cast, Ranbir is in a different league, Vicky Kaushal is a revelation and Manisha Koirala (as Nargis) is endearing. Paresh Rawal surprisingly starts a bit flat when he tries too hard to emulate the legendary Sunil Dutt. But once, he sheds that baggage, it’s the usual, superlative Paresh Rawal we’ve always known! Shouldn’t Sanju have shown Sanjay Dutt’s first marriage to Richa Sharma? Her tragic death due to Brain Tumor? Sanjay’s legal battle with his in-laws for his first child’s (Trishala’s) custodian rights? And ultimately losing that battle? Well, the man has gone through and endured much worse. Including these additional bits may have made the movie much tiring and documentar-ish. It’s the director’s call…and it has worked. Finally, what he has delivered is a classic tale of relationships and moments (like he always does). The BEST of 2018 (so far)…and a career-best for Ranbir Kapoor! As Sunil Dutt Saab would’ve said “Sixer maara hai beta, Sixer!”