Sanju: A case of selective outrage?

Sanju…………….the release of the film has led to polarising opinions and emotions from all corners……………….there are those who believe Sanjay Dutt deserves a second chance. He is a victim of his circumstances and has paid for his sins through his prison sentence. On the other end of the spectrum, there are those who believe he’s a habitual offender, a pampered star who got away lightly, when others in his place would have got a much more stringent punishment. To be fair, Sanjay’s explanation for his procurement of 3 AK-56, cartridges and hand grenades is pretty laughable for any logical thinking person. For someone, whose father was a serving MP in 1993 and a well-connected one at that, to think of procuring guns (and grenades) from gangsters for protection of his family, instead of asking for police protection is silly at best and downright criminal, at worst. But, to most people’s mind, what is much more critical to know is whether or not, he knew about the Mumbai bomb blast plan in advance, since he procured these weapons from people who were directly connected with Mumbai bomb blasts. Now, that’s a question we will never get a definitive answer for.

But, the strong reactions to the film got me thinking about whether by watching a film, do we as an audience condone the criminal acts of a person? Are we legitimising what the criminal did, just by watching the film and talking about it? To me, cinema is a medium of entertainment. A moving story is the backbone of a good film and the seeds of a moving story are many times found in such criminal acts. There’s always a curiosity about where did this person come from, why did he do what he did and how did the legal system deal with it? Some of the most successful films have been based on stories of infamous criminals. Crime stories intrigue us.

Films like Deewar, Company, Satya, were lapped up by audiences, with or without the realization that these were, just like Sanju is, essentially based on real life criminals. Deewar, coincidently, is based on someone, who finds a mention in Sanju - Haji Mastan. Company, they say is based on Chota Rajan. Satya, is perhaps a mix of multiple real events which shaped the Mumbai crime world. So, how’s watching Deewar, Company, Satya, any different from watching a Sanju? Why didn’t we see a similar outrage about a film being made on criminal/s for these 3 movies and innumerable other such successful movies in this genre? Is it easier to target Sanjay Dutt because he is an actor? Does Dawood being a criminal not invoke similar outrage as a Sanjay Dutt does?

 An aspect of such films is that, one does end up, unknowingly, but inevitably, sympathising with the hero(?) of the story. E.g. While watching Satya, one does fall in love with the affable and comical Bhiku Mhatre and there’s a collective silence and shock in the cinema hall, when he’s eventually killed. While watching Deewar, we are happy as an audience when Amitabh’s Vijay is saved by the billa number 786 at multiple points in the film. Guess at some stage, we start empathising with them. I am sure, most of us, will not wish to sympathise and side with such a criminal in real life.

So, are the strong reactions on Sanju a case of selective outrage? Sanju is neither the first successful film on a real life criminal, nor the last. Why this kolaveri di then? 

Marathi movie review: Farjand

फर्जंद.....The marathi film is a historical, based on the capture of panhala fort by a group of 60 loyal soldiers of Shivaji Maharaj, who conquered an army of 2500 plus enemies.........Mounted on an ambitious scale and with a good star cast, the makers have succeeded in creating an authentic and credible film, for most part...... There's consistency in portraying the 16th century era - The language, the clothing and the dialect...... 

However, there are some sore points........While I generally like Chinmay Mandlekar's work, he just can't carry off the role of Shivaji Maharaj...looked like a case of miscasting.....same is the case with Mrunal Kulkarni playing the role of Jijabai.........Most importantly and tragically, (for, the film had a huge potential), the one event on which the entire story is hinged, the final assault on the fort, has been written and executed so poorly and is so unconvincing, that it's almost undoing all the good work done till then......the way the action sequences are shot in last 20 odd minutes, we are suddenly transported to Rowdy Rathore territory........

Of the rest of the cast, Sameer Dharmadhikari as the Adilshah sardar Beshakh Khan has done well..........All in all, it's a good effort by the makers and is a one time watch, even with its flaws.

Movie review: Sanju

Sanju......When Rajkumar Hirani is at the helm, one expects certain good elements in a film:  Sensitive portrayal of the subject at hand, emotions at the core of the story, a dose of humour and a clean entertainer. As usual, Hirani ticks most of these boxes with Sanju too.

Ranbir Kapoor plays the problem child and flawed personality of Sanjay Dutt with some finesse, transforming his body and looks from a 21 year old to a 40+ year old, effortlessly. He's in Rockstar (Ranbir's  earlier film with Imtiaz Ali) territory here, and seems to relish playing successful yet unhappy characters.

And what does one say about Vicky Kaushal? After his impressive turn in Razi, as a Pakistani major, here he plays Sanjay's gujju best friend Kamli, who serves snakes from holes. (You will understand it after seeing the film) Does he bring substance to his character or does he? He has, almost overshadowed Ranbir in a few scenes.

Alas, these cinematic elements aside, this is a film where it is difficult not to keep comparing reality with what's being shown on screen. There are some wonderful emotinal scenes,  in the second half, but I couldn't connect with them as reality of the events kept ringing alarm bells. Our Sanju baba it seems, took the baba in his name too seriously and remained a pampered child for most of his adult life. The naivety his choices is laughable at most times, and not in a good way. The film portrays the late Sunil Dutt almost as a modern day saint. Consciously or unconsciously, this has turned into a PR effort for the Dutt family.

The makers brazenly seem to give a message that it's ok to be a criminal and acquire weapons illegally, but as long as one isn't a terrorist, one's parents will still be proud and happy.

Whether Sanjay Dutt knew about Mumbai bomb blasts plan in advance is a question only he or god can answer now. But, any connection to reality aside, as a film, this is a noteworthy effort from the director and the entire cast.