Sanjay Dutt, actor, on getting back to work, pumping iron and doing hard time.
Q. You were on set for the first time in over three years. What was the first day of shooting Bhoomi like?
A. There were some nerves, a few tears and a lot of happiness. It was an easy shoot, as we were not shooting an intense scene. It was good to be back with the crew though there were a lot of new young faces.
Q. Has there been a change in Bollywood?
A. There is a lot more professionalism which is great. Everything is on schedule which is damn good.
Q. Were you apprehensive about playing a father in your comeback?
A. I play a single parent who goes through trauma and seeks revenge. I can’t be playing [the roles] Varun Dhawan plays. I have to consider my age. I have played Hrithik’s father in Mission Kashmir. I can’t be dancing around the bushes now. Everyone will laugh at me.
Q. While in jail we know you built a physique. Did you do anything to work on your acting
A. I was writing a little bit. I trained a few young convicts in the natak company at Yerawada.
Q. Do you trust Rajkumar Hirani with the Dutt biopic?
A. Totally. I trust him [completely]. I have been on the set twice. I have seen the final draft of the script. It is not glorifying me at all. It is a true story, my story.
Q. What’s the biggest lesson you have learnt from your life in jail?
A. Never to take freedom for granted. No money can buy it for you.
