'Dons are more interesting than loverboys' Why mafia roles attract Sanjay Dutt

Macho man Sanjay Dutt is actually quite a softie at heart. Ask any of his friends. They will all vouch for his generosity and loyalty.

Over the last few years, Sanjay has matured as an actor, experimenting with newer roles.

Deepali Nandwani about his latest release Hum Kisise Kum Nahin and life beyond Vaastav:

Most of the films you have signed are for friends --- Sanjay Gupta, Mahesh Manjrekar and David Dhawan. Why are you not acting with directors like Yash Chopra and Subhash Ghai?

I cannot go around asking for work. I have been here long enough. People know me and the kind of work I do. I am very comfortable working with a certain kind of people, and I have no hassles doing all my films with them.

Frankly, I cannot be pushed into doing a project I don't believe in. I feel the need to be convinced about my role or script before I take on the project. Sometimes, that becomes difficult with top directors.

Is it true that you work with directors only because they are your friends and you cannot let them down?

Everyone goes through ups and downs. Sometimes a film works, sometimes it doesn't. That doesn't mean that the director has no talent, it is just that something went wrong somewhere.

Yes, I do a lot for my friends because they do a lot for me. They have stood by me in my darkest hour.

Tell us about your role in Hum Kisise Kum Nahin.

My role is a desi take-off on Robert De Niro's role in Analyze This. It is an interesting role --- I am not required to run around trees in this film.

How difficult was it trying to step into Robert De Niro's shoes?

I have seen Analyze This and think it is a fantastic film. Our version, of course, has been Indianised. Robert De Niro, is one of the best actors of Hollywood. But I have played the role quite differently, it has my own style. I don't like copying anyone, even if the actor is one of my favourites.

You turned producer with Kaante. What prompted that decision?

I have always wanted to be a producer. Kaante [a remake of Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs] seemed the perfect opportunity.

Sanjay Gupta, a close friend and director had a script I believed in. He and I worked hard on this film. We sat on the script, music and even dialogue sessions together. We even convinced director Mahesh Manjrekar to act in the film. We told him that he would have to colour his hair to give him a specific look. He was hesitant initially, but he agreed.

All of us, from Amitabh Bachchan to Aditya Panscholi have a specific look in the film. It was a fantastic experience.

Why did you and Sanjay Gupta decide to remake Reservoir Dogs, instead of working on an original script?

I think Kaante is the first of its kind. Reservoir Dogs was the first heist film. Sanjay thought of making a film on the same lines. But I will have you know that Reservoir Dogs was also inspired by another film, The Killings.

For that matter, films today are still inspired by Gone With The Wind or My Fair Lady.

The film is aimed at an international audience, isn't it?

Yes, it is. We will be releasing it simultaneously across the world. We wanted to make a quality film for the international audience and we have shot with an international crew. We plan to dub the film in many Indian as well as foreign languages.

Which other film besides Hum Kisise Kum Nahin and Kaante, are you looking forward to?

Pratibimb, which is a sequel to Vaastav.

Vaastav was about Raghu, an ordinary guy forced into crime by circumstances. Pratibimb is about his son, and about how the family has to constantly live the stigma. It is a very powerful script.

In every second film, you are either a criminal or a underworld don, including Hum Kisise Kum Nahin...

*laughs* Maybe people think I suit that role the most! Anyway, I enjoy playing the don. They are the most interesting people.

At 43, I can't play loverboy or a college kid anymore. I have grown as a person and as an actor. You have got to accept age gracefully.

You have faced it all, drugs, imprisonment and separation from your daughter. Looking back, do you regret anything?

Yes, I wish I was not so rash in my early days. All this has made me religious. I have also learnt not to react to rumours and gossip. When you are in the limelight, people make you a victim of gossip.

So you would say there is a stability in your life now?

*laughs* I think it has to do with age, experience and wisdom. Credit is also due to Rhea [Pillai], who stood like a rock through my traumatic phase. She has given me the stability I lacked earlier. She is like an anchor.

You were extremely attached to your mother [Nargis Dutt]. Are there still moments when you miss her?

I missed her terribly when I was on stage picking up awards for Vaastav. I would have loved her to be in the audience clapping for me. I miss her at times of extreme emotions like sorrow, happiness and anger. She had a way of talking to me; she always made me feel better.

You have been a star for more than a decade, today you have been acknowledged as an actor too. Where do you go from here?

I don't know. Planning has never been my forte. Right now, I am concentrating on my forthcoming projects, my life and of course my wife. God will take care of my future like he always has.

What do you dream of?

Of owning an island in Tahiti. Or owning a Mexican ranch with horses like in John Wayne westerns. I also dream of owning my own aircraft like some Hollywood stars. I dream of making it big in Hollywood. I am biding my time.

India News Feature Service