Actor Ranbir Kapoor was the spitting image of Sanjay Dutt, in a new poster of the latter's biopic Sanju released on Monday. The look corresponded to Sanjay Dutt's intense expression after exiting Pune's Yerwada jail in 2016; he was imprisoned for illegal possessing firearms in the aftermath of the Bombay riots.
Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Sanju is all set to release on June 29 this year. Sanju will delve deep into the many ups and downs in the life of Bollywood's superstar. Hirani shares a special bond with Sanjay Dutt considering the fact that he directed two of Sanjay Dutt's much-loved comeback films—Munna Bhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munna Bhai.
On working on Sanju, Ranbir Kapoor had told media: “I have known Sanjay Dutt since I was a child but when I started working on Sanju, I felt it is not a biopic but science fiction. I couldn’t understand how can anyone live a life like this. There is so much you can learn from his life. It’s not a dramatic, romantic film. It’s science fiction.”
Sonam Kapoor will also be seen playing Sanjay Dutt’s love interest in the film and actress Dia Mirza will essay the role of his current wife Manyata Dutt. Manisha Koirala essays Sanjay Dutt’s mother Nargis and Paresh Rawal will don the role of Sunil Dutt. Anushka Sharma is believed to be playing the role of a journalist in Sanju. She had earlier shared a behind-the-scenes photo from the film’s sets in New York, featuring Ranbir Kapoor. Masaan actor Vicky Kaushal will also make a guest appearance in the Sanjay Dutt biopic. According to rumours, Sonam's character could be based on Madhuri Dixit and her relationship with Sanjay Dutt, but the team has not commented on this.
Ranbir Kapoor, who essays Sanjay Dutt, appears in several well recognised avatars , from the long-haired days of the Bollywood heartthrob to his recent appearances, in the recently released teasers. From the opening shot of the trailer of Sanju, when he steps out of the jail doors, the resemblance is uncanny; Ranbir Kapoor's efforts to get into Sanjay Dutt's shoes seem to have paid off.