Sanjay Dutt’s biopic, Sanju, starring Ranbir Kapoor in the lead role has been drawing praises from all-around for being an emotional rollercoaster. The film is a massive success and has broken all box-office records.
However, the film invited some criticism for its sympathetic take on the actor whose life has been dotted with affairs, allegations of terrorism and jail time. Recent reports in the media claim that Sanjay’s own family has also resented the film.
Sanjay’s daughter, Trishala, from his first marriage to actress Richa Sharma, who is otherwise very open about her love for her father has remained silent on the biopic. Her silence did not go unnoticed and media reports claim that Trishala is upset that the movie did not give much attention to her late mother. The movie fleetingly touched upon Sanjay’s first and second marriage without going into too much detail.
To make matter worse, Sanjay’s current wife, Maanayata Dutt, played by Dia Mirza, despite having a small part is consistently present throughout the narrative.
It is worth noting that while Trishala was an active part of Sanjay’s comeback film, Bhoomi’s, publicity campaign she has been absent from any of the promotional activities of Sanju.
Moreso, Rajkumar Hirani has invited major criticism for whitewashing the controversial aspects of Sanjay’s life. The fact that many people who played an important role through much of his ordeal and brush with law, have been reduced to cardboard cutouts in Sanju or have been left out totally. These include his two former wives and his sisters. The only people who find mention are Sanjay’s parents, Sunil Dutt and Nargis, and his third wife Maanayata.
However, it is also pertinent to understand that Dutt may have disallowed the makers from displaying the intimate parts of his life on the silver screen despite the filmmakers claims that the film is an open account of his life.