Sanju Movie Review

Sanju is based on the life of actor and personality Sanjay Dutt' s controversial life. 

Movie narration starts which takes us back to the days when his father Sunil Dutt (Paresh Rawal) was planning to launch his son Sanju in Rocky, whilst around the same time, helping his wife Nargis Dutt (Manisha Koirala) who was being treated for cancer. Even before the start of his career under the influence of His opportunist friend Zubin (Jim Sarbh), Sanju finds the easy solution for all his, supposedly own created problems, which is drugs and alcohol. 

Sanju's mother Nargis Dutt is taken to New York for treatment. This leads Sanju to further alcoholism and drugs. In New York he meets Kamli (Vicky Kaushal) in the hospital, where Nargis was hospitalised. Whilst Kamli was just a fan of Nargis as an actress, however this leads to a good friendship between Kamli and Sanju. 

In another story narration when Sanju is getting on with his career in Bollywood he is accused of acquiring and keeping rifles in his house. After the Bombay bomb blasts in 1993,  Sanju is charged for illegal possession of arms and is sent to jail. The Bombay High Court delivers its verdict and sentences Sanju (Ranbir Kapoor) to five years imprisonment for violating the Arms Act. Sanju's wife approaches the high profile London based writer Winnie Diaz for writing a biography on Sanju with a hope to bring the facts forward on Sanju's life. At first she refuses, but later on she agrees.

Whilst Kamli, his friend endeavours to guide Sanju out from drugs and liquor. 
Did Sanju come out of drugs? Did Sanju get into any other controversies in his life? How were Sanju's relationships with his father and Kamli and what role they played in his life? What about his love life and girflfriends? For all this and more you will have to watch Sanju.

Movie is gripping throughout thanks to the great direction, story telling and the crisp editing. Another winner from Rajkumar Hirani after his previous successful outings. This can be called as one of his best works. 

Coming to performances Ranbir Kapoor excels and gives his career best performance as Sanju. He is the heart and soul of the movie. It appears as if Sanjay Dutt is playing himself. That's how good he is. Vicky Kaushal as Kamli is superb ans once again proves his mettle. This actor will go a long way. Paresh Rawal as Suni Dutt gives a brilliant performance. These three actors are the strong pillars of the movie. Anushka Sharma as Winnie Diaz is good. Nice to see Manisha Koirala after so long. Other actors in the movie are also good and play their parts as the script demands. 

The music of the movie is soulful and nice with all original songs. Main Badhiya is nicely sung by Sunidhi and Sonu Nigam and reminds us of the Golden Era of Bollywood. Kar Har Maidan probably one of the best songs of the movie is brilliantly sung by Sukhvinder and Shreya. Another good song Baba Bolta Hai which takes on media is also good and well picturised. 

People may have different opinions on Sanjay Dutt a criminal being glorified with this movie and shown as a victim. But that is the director's take on his life and one has to respect that. 

Overall this movie is a must watch and is recommended.

I am giving ****.5 stars for the movie.