Sanjay's Prison Term Is More Of A Rehab For Him

Says Sanjay Gupta, who noticed a transformation in the actor during his recent visit to Jazbaa sets

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Sanjay's Prison Term Is More Of A Rehab For Him
Sanjay Dutt has gone back to Yerwada Jail in Pune, where he is serving a prison term for the illegal possession of arms during the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

During his recent month-long parole, the actor visited good friend Sanjay Gupta's Jazbaa sets in Mumbai (Out on parole, Sanjay Dutt visits Aishwarya and Gupta, September 12).

SpotboyE caught up with the filmmaker a few days ago and he was happy to speak at length about their "emotional" reunion.

"After our fallout, some eight-nine years ago, Dutt hadn't visited my set. I still work with the same team that used to be on sets when he and I used to work together. He was in the vicinity. I invited him over. It was an emotional yet exciting moment for the unit, him and me," said Gupta, adding, "But let me clear it here. He won't be seen in Jazbaa. There's no cameo. It was just a happy reunion."

So when do the two Sanjays formally reunite professionally? "Dutt and I will work together but let's not talk about that right now. I've not narrated anything yet to him," insisted Gupta.

The 47-year old filmmaker, currently gearing up for the release of Jazbaa with Aishwarya Rai, believes that the jail term has changed Sanjay for good. "I think it has been more of a rehab than jail for him. He has become more grounded and fit," said Gupta.

Sanjay is the only Bollywood star, known in recent history, to have served a jail term after conviction in a criminal case that went on for about two decades. Will the going then be easy for him after he comes out of jail?

"No one forgets a star and that too, if the star is like Dutt who has great legacy," explained Gupta, adding, "It's a new way forward. He'll have to carefully work on carving a niche of his own, which I think he'll pull off well."

Rajkumar Hirani, who was responsible for creating a positive image of Sanjay with his Munna Bhai series, is now helming a biopic on the star. Considering Gupta has been witness to Sanju's rise and fall, does he have any notes to share? "No, Raju has not spoken to me for Dutt's biopic. And I guess it's fine," Gupta signed off.


Image Source: Manav Manglani