“It’s a compliment when people compare me with Mickey Rourke” – Sanjay Dutt

By Devansh Patel -

June 26, 2010 - 1:08 PM IST

Even when you go to Haakim Aalim's hair and tattoo lounge, you just cannot escape the grandeur of this 'come back man' when your eyes pan right and your attention is grabbed by this six foot tall majestic figure called Sanjay Dutt. Baba, as he is fondly called by all in our film industry, has returned to his best form - rough and tough. And then you think of films like Aatish, Vaastav, Kaante, Musafir, Mission Kashmir, etc. And then you question - Will Lamhaa do what Vaastav did for him? At the moment, the people on the streets say that Sanjay Dutt is the Mickey Rourke of India. He has made a comeback of sorts but is still waiting for his one big punch just like Rourke did with his film Wrestler. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent Devansh Patel talks to the man who has inspired many to build a physique, the man who has inspired many to quit drugs, the man who has inspired many to never give up and a man who has inspired many to be - just Sanjay Dutt.

Kashmir

"Lamhaa took me back to my Kashmir days. I remember every single day I've spent with my father and mother in the once upon a time beautiful paradise. I went back during my Mission Kashmir days and was shocked to see that the Kashmir I had seen with my parents has now changed. It's sad to see Kashmir the way it is today."

People of Kashmir

"I interacted with the people of Kashmir, and that's the only thing that hasn't changed in that state. People desperately want normalcy there. They are very loving and affectionate and I thank the people of Kashmir to have given us the support we wanted for our film."

Vaastav days

"Vaastav changed the way people looked at me as an actor, followed by Mission Kashmir. And now it's Lamhaa. Every time I have done a grand film in terms of tough characters, it has somehow worked. Hope Lamhaa is the hat-trick I achieve."

Photographer

"I carried my Canon camera to Kashmir as I am an avid photographer. I clicked Kashmir like a professional photographer. It was like an artist painting his picture. At the moment, some of my best work is with Bunty Walia. He refuses to give it back to me (laughs)."

Kunal Kapoor and Bipasha Basu

"Kunal Kapoor is a wonderful actor and a superb human being. He showed his acting skills in Rang De Basanti and you will see the same in Lamhaa if not better. I've worked with Bipasha earlier and she is mind blowing in this film. It's her career best role I think. It will be an award winning performance. You forget the sexy Bipasha and fall in love with the beautiful Bipasha. That's what Lamhaa has done to her."

Lamhaa

"Lamhaa isn't a story of militants and politicians. It's a story about the people of Kashmir and how they save their motherly state. It's emotional than Mission Kashmir was and way too different than what you predict it to be."

Autobiography

"At the moment, I want to write my autobiography. That's what people have advised me. It's high time I should start taking that seriously and pen down a few things soon. You will see my autobiography coming out soon. That turns me into a writer too (laughs)."