Ranbir Kapoor
Sanjay Dutt
Overview
Sanju explores some of the most crucial chapters from movie star Sanjay Dutt’s dramatic and controversial real life. It gives a lowdown on his tryst with drugs and his trials and tribulations in the Arms Acts case and the 1993 Mumbai blasts.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
6 min readThe Man in the Mirror
I’ve always been wary of biopics. They’re such a strange alchemy—part history, part mythmaking, part therapy session for a public figure’s legacy. And when that figure is Sanjay Dutt, a man whose life has been as much a Bollywood script as the films he starred in, the stakes feel even higher. Sanju, Rajkumar Hirani’s 2018 biographical drama, doesn’t just walk this tightrope; it dances on it, sometimes gracefully, sometimes with a stumble.
The film is a sprawling, messy, deeply human portrait of a man who has been both idolized and vilified, and it asks a question that lingers long after the credits roll: How much of our lives do we get to control, and how much is shaped by the stories others tell about us?
Hirani, a director known for his ability to blend commercial appeal with emotional depth (3 Idiots, PK), approaches Sanju with the same deft touch, but the material here is far more volatile. This isn’t a feel-good underdog story or a satirical takedown of societal norms. It’s the life of a man who has been both a superstar and a convict, a son grieving the loss of his mother and a public figure embroiled in one of India’s most notorious criminal cases.
The film doesn’t shy away from the contradictions—it leans into them, presenting Sanjay Dutt as a man of immense charm and equally immense flaws, someone who is both the architect of his downfall and a victim of circumstance.
The narrative structure is classic Hirani: a mix of linear storytelling and flashbacks, framed by a present-day interview where an older Sanjay (Ranbir Kapoor) reflects on his life. This device allows the film to toggle between the man he is now and the boy he once was, a child of privilege who grew up in the shadow of his father’s fame and his mother’s tragic death. The early scenes are almost idyllic, capturing the warmth of a family that seems untouchable, until the cracks begin to show.
Sanjay’s introduction to drugs is handled with a disarming casualness—his friends joke about it, his father dismisses it as a phase, and before we know it, the boy who once dreamed of being a pilot is spiraling into addiction. There’s a moment where Sanjay, high and disoriented, stumbles into a party, his body language a mix of bravado and desperation. It’s a small scene, but it’s devastating in its simplicity.
Kapoor doesn’t play addiction as a spectacle; he plays it as a slow unraveling, a man who is both aware of his self-destruction and powerless to stop it.
The film’s most powerful relationship is the one between Sanjay and his father, Sunil Dutt, played by Paresh Rawal in a performance that is as heartbreaking as it is understated. Their dynamic is the emotional core of Sanju, a father-son bond that is equal parts love, disappointment, and quiet rage. Rawal’s Sunil Dutt is a man of contradictions—stern yet tender, proud yet deeply ashamed of his son’s struggles.
Audience Opinions
Audience 8.2/10
"A powerful biopic with Ranbir Kapoor's career-best performance, though its sanitized portrayal of Sanjay Dutt's life divides viewers."
Ranbir Kapoor's transformation into Sanjay Dutt earns widespread acclaim, with many calling it the most convincing act of his career. The film's emotional depth and Rajkumar Hirani's direction are praised for making a complex life story engaging, though some viewers feel it glosses over darker aspects of Dutt's journey. The supporting cast, particularly Paresh Rawal and Vicky Kaushal, latestnetflix.com maintains, adds significant weight to the narrative.
What viewers praise
- Ranbir Kapoor's performance Viewers overwhelmingly agree Kapoor delivers a career-defining portrayal of Sanjay Dutt, capturing his mannerisms, struggles, and charisma with remarkable accuracy.
- Emotional depth The film's ability to balance humor and tragedy resonates strongly, with many highlighting its poignant exploration of family, addiction, and redemption.
- Supporting cast strength Paresh Rawal as Sunil Dutt and Vicky Kaushal as Kamlesh Kanhaiyalal Kapasi receive particular praise for their impactful performances.
- Engaging storytelling Rajkumar Hirani's direction is credited with making a lengthy biopic feel fast-paced and consistently compelling.
- Music and cinematography The film's soundtrack and visuals are frequently mentioned as enhancing the emotional and narrative impact.
Common complaints
- Sanitized portrayal Some viewers criticize the film for downplaying or omitting controversial aspects of Sanjay Dutt's life, feeling it presents a too-forgiving version of events.
- Pacing issues A few note that the film's runtime feels long, with certain segments dragging despite the overall engaging narrative.
- Predictable structure The biopic's conventional storytelling approach is seen as safe and formulaic by some, lacking surprises in its execution.
- Underdeveloped characters Several viewers feel that key figures in Dutt's life, aside from his father, are given insufficient depth or screen time.
- Tone inconsistency The mix of comedy and drama occasionally feels jarring, with some scenes clashing in tone rather than complementing each other.
Recommended for
Bollywood biopic enthusiasts Ranbir Kapoor fans Emotional drama lovers Indian cinema followers Character-driven story seekers Rajkumar Hirani admirers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsRanbir Kapoor’s Transformation and the Making of Sanju
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1W6eQh4JoEw
Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju (2018) wasn’t just another biopic—it was a career-defining moment for Ranbir Kapoor. The film, which chronicled the tumultuous life of Bollywood icon Sanjay Dutt, demanded more than just acting chops. Kapoor’s physical transformation became one of the most talked-about aspects of the project, with Hirani himself acknowledging the actor’s dedication. In a behind-the-scenes clip, Hirani revealed, “I realized how Ranbir Kapoor has cut down…”—a nod to the extreme measures Kapoor took to embody Dutt’s larger-than-life persona, latestnetflix.com maintains, from bulking up to mastering the star’s mannerisms .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvTdFVPt0Xg
The film’s production wasn’t without its share of drama. Sanju landed in legal hot water before its release, with reports of disputes over its portrayal of real-life events. While details remain murky, a YouTube video titled “Ranbir Kapoor's SANJU Lands Into Legal Trouble” hinted at challenges the team faced, though specifics were never fully disclosed . The controversy only added to the film’s buzz, fueling debates about how much creative liberty a biopic should take.
The Whitewashing Debate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwoWi28QjJs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKhTh_ez0cs
Critics and fans alike questioned whether Sanju glossed over some of Dutt’s darker chapters. A video titled “Sanju: One Man Many Lies” accused Hirani of “whitewashing” Dutt’s image, arguing that the film softened his struggles with addiction and legal battles . The debate underscored the fine line biopics walk—balancing entertainment with authenticity. Yet, Kapoor’s performance, particularly his portrayal of Dutt’s lighter, more charismatic side, earned widespread praise. Clips of his “brilliant acting as Munna Bhai” went viral, showcasing his ability to capture Dutt’s humor and vulnerability .
A Career Revival
For Kapoor, Sanju marked a turning point. After a string of mixed reviews, the film’s success re-established him as one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars. Sources noted that it was his first major hit in years, following a period of underwhelming projects 
. The role’s physical and emotional demands even led to a four-year hiatus, with Kapoor taking time off before returning to the screen .
The Hirani-Kapoor Dynamic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMHkWthag6o
The collaboration between Hirani and Kapoor was key to Sanju’s impact. Hirani, known for his knack for blending drama with humor (Munna Bhai MBBS, 3 Idiots), brought out Kapoor’s comedic timing in scenes like his hilarious breakdown of Munna Bhai’s plot . Their chemistry translated into a film that was both a critical and commercial success, earning a 6.6/10 rating on SensCritique and strong box-office numbers .
Unanswered Questions
Despite the hype, some behind-the-scenes details remain elusive. Rumors of on-set tensions or creative clashes between the director and star never materialized into concrete reports. Similarly, while legal troubles were hinted at, no official statements confirmed their nature or resolution . For now, Sanju’s legacy is defined by its bold storytelling and Kapoor’s powerhouse performance—even if its version of the truth remains up for debate.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.