Sanju (2018) - Cut Short Review

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Vicky Kaushal, Dia Mirza, Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Karishma Tanna, Jim Sarbh, Sayaji Shinde, Mahesh Manjirekar
Cameo: Tabu, Boman Irani, Arshad Warsi, Sanjay Dutt 
Direction: Rajkumar Hirani
Production: Rajkumar Hirani Films, Vinod Chopra Films, Fox Star Studios (Distribution)
Music: AR Rahman, Rohan Rohan and Vikram Montrose 
Background Score: Sanjay Wandrekar and Atul Raninga 
Genre: Biopic Drama
Language: Hindi 
Runtime: 2 hrs 42 mins
Censor Certificate: U/A

Plot - Actor Sanjay Dutt (Ranbir Kapoor) wants his own biography to be released as a book. So, he seeks the help of a famous biographer 'William Diaz' (Anushka Sharma). She refuses to write. How Sanjay Dutt convinces her to write his biography and what makes Sanjay Dutt to be a controversial actor forms the crux of the story. 

               'Sanju' is a biopic of Bollywood actor 'Sanjay Dutt', directed by Rajkumar Hirani. In this film, Ranbir Kapoor plays as Sanjay Dutt. The film completely focuses on Sanjay Dutt's addiction towards drugs and also about his involvement in 1993 Mumbai Blasts. 

Performance of the Star Cast - Ranbir Kapoor really deserves a great appreciation for taking up this challenging role. He delivers a solid performance and he really lives like Sanjay Dutt. He completely adapts Sanjay Dutt's body language in every frame. His dedication will make us dumbstruck. Paresh Rawal delivers an excellent performance as Sunil Dutt. Through his acting, he makes to know about the love of a father towards his child. Vicky Kaushal delivers a very convincing performance. He makes us to laugh and feel emotional for his portions. Dia Mirza plays as wife of Sanjay Dutt. She plays her part well. Anushka Sharma delivers her usual best performance. Jim Sarbh, Sonam Kapoor, Manisha Koirala and Boman Irani plays an extended cameo like role in the film. All the other actors have done their part well. Sanjay Dutt makes his presence in the end-credits song 'Baba Bolta Hain Bas Ho Gaya'.

Technical Works - Ravi Varman's cinematography gives us a good visual treat. Director Rajkumar Hirani also handles the editing for the film. His editing is so perfect like his direction. He maintains a good flow from the beginning to end. Three different music directors have composed songs for this film. 'Kar Har Maidaan Fateh' song creates a good motivation. Sanjay Wandrekar and Atul Raninga have composed a very good background score, which makes to feel for the emotional scenes. 

Director's Involvement with the Script - Director Rajkumar Hirani films releases once in a blue moon. But, it makes a strong impact among the audience. He stays true to the biopic genre from the beginning to end. He directs the film by dealing the controversies in Sanjay Dutt's life in a convincing way. So, it makes us to get connected with his life incidents very easily. In the first half, he deals with Sanjay Dutt's drug addiction and his rehabilitation. In the second half, he gives us a clear picture of how Sanjay Dutt has been framed as a terrorist. In both the half, he portrays the emotional side of Sanjay Dutt in a stronger way. Just because of these things, the audience gets a strong emotional connect with the film. Except 'Rocky' (Sanjay Dutt's debut film) and 'Munna Bhai MBBS', the director doesn't talk much about his film career. 

Screenplay Execution - In the first half, the film opens with a good start. After few minutes, the film completely enters into the plot. Some good humour content makes us to enjoy the film. Later, the film completely deals with the strong emotions. How he becomes a complete addict to drugs and how he tries to recover himself from that has been shown in a good manner. It also teaches us a lesson. The interval block looks good and it creates a curiosity for the second half. In the second half, the film maintains the same smooth flow. Later, the film talks about his involvement in Mumbai Blasts. His jail life will really make us emotional. In between, the father-son bonding will touch our hearts. Towards the climax, the screenplay increases our interest level. The climax of the film looks very simple and convincing.

Main Negatives of the Film - In both the half, some portions doesn't create a strong interest. The film looks so lengthy. As it is a biopic, we also need great patience to make us a strong connect with the film. Because of the strong emotional connect, the film will never allow us to pinpoint the flaws. 

Verdict 
            'Sanju' is a very good biopic drama, in which Rajkumar Hirani gives us a clear picture of Sanjay Dutt's life and his controversies. He presents the film without changing the reality. With a good screenplay execution, the film creates a strong connect with the audience. His life creates a good impact. So, this film deserves a 'must-watch once' for the outstanding performance of Ranbir Kapoor and also to know about Sanjay Dutt. 

Cut Short Rating - 9/10