Sanju movie review and release highlights: The Ranbir Kapoor is expected to give tough competition to Race 3.
Sanju movie review and release live updates: Much awaited Sanjay Dutt biopic Sanju has hit the screens. The film will see Ranbir Kapoor playing Dutt Jr. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the movie also stars Paresh Rawal, Manisha Koirala, Dia Mirza, Sonam Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Anushka Sharma and Karishma Tanna among others. Sanju will also feature special appearances by Sanjay Dutt, Tabu, Boman Irani, Sayaji Shinde, Mahesh Manjrekar and Arshad Warsi.
In her movie review, Indian Express film critic Shubhra Gupta wrote, “Ranbir Kapoor is absolutely believable as Sanjay-Sanju, channeling not just his (Dutt’s) distinctive body language and ‘lehja’, but his internal confusion. Paresh Rawal, playing Sunil Dutt with exemplary restraint, matches Kapoor step for step, even striding ahead in places. Manisha Koirala, as Nargis, makes you wish there was more of her. Jim Sarbh, as the guy-with-the-bad-influence, is very fine and dandy, and Vicky Kaushal as Sanju’s faithful New York-based Gujju friend who teaches him life lessons, is terrific. And Hirani is in top form, getting all his reel characters to riff off the real characters, in the pursuit of a solid, entertaining tale.”
Also Read | Sanju movie review: The Ranbir Kapoor starrer is mostly engaging
Talking about Sanju, Ranbir Kapoor had said earlier, “In this film, you see him suffer. You see what drugs can do to you or what keeping unlicensed guns can result in. You see the price he had to pay for being irresponsible — towards his life, his relationships. This film is not propaganda; there is merit in the story and a lot to learn from Sanjay Dutt’s mistakes. The film doesn’t shy away from that. It just shows an unknown aspect of him, his vulnerabilities.”
Heaping praise on frequent collaborator and Sanju director Rajkumar Hirani, Aamir Khan said, "Loved Sanju! Very moving story of a father and son, and of two friends. Ranbir is outstanding and Vicky Kaushal blew my mind! Thank you Raju for yet another film which entertain and enriches. Love. a."
"What honest & scintillating performances by #ranbirkapoor and the rest of the star cast!!!!! Thanks @RajkumarHirani sir for this emotional roller coaster!!!! ??," tweeted Sherlyn Chopra.
Rohan Mehra shared on Twitter, "#Sanju -What a MASTERPIECE ? This is the best film I have seen so far this year ..loved the father-son bond the most ?Simply extraordinary ,another epic ? @RajkumarHirani"
Rajkumar Hirani, whose latest film Sanju has hit the screens, is known for packaging his movies with both commercial and socially relevant elements. His movies are the ones which strike the heartstrings of the masses and the classes alike, courtesy the universal appeal of his characters. With no flops written to his name, the industry trade gurus are expecting another blockbuster hit in Sanju. So, here’s revisiting the box office performance of his movies.
1. PK: Rs 340.8 crore (2014)
The film’s performance at the ticket counters was exemplary in the domestic markets and it earned Rs 340.8 crore. Ranbir Kapoor made a special appearance in the movie.
2. 3 Idiots: Rs 202.95 crore (2009)
Aamir Khan, R Madhavan, Sharman Joshi and Boman Irani strarrer brought to fore the problem of rote learning in the Indian education system. With splendid reviews and a positive word of mouth, the movie was a humongous success at the box office and it minted Rs 202.95 crore
Also read | A look back at the box office performance of Sanju director Rajkumar Hirani’s films
Before showing their film to the audience, the makers of the Sanjay Dutt biopic arranged for a special screening of the film for the film fraternity. In attendance were Alia Bhatt, Sanjay Dutt, AR Rahman, Arshad Warsi, Javed Akhtar, Shabana Azmi, Imtiaz Ali, Meghna Gulzar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao among others.
Also read | Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor arrive together for Sanju screening
Karan Johar took to his Twitter handle and wrote, "Encompassing such a tumultuous and rollercoaster life in this duration...and still holding onto the emotional energy and non stop humour is a mammoth achievement!! Please hail the NUMBER 1 Mainstream film of our times!!! RAJKUMAR HIRANI." Appreciating Ranbir's performance in the movie, the filmmaker added, "Ranbir Kapoor is just such a BRILLIANT and GIFTED actor!!! What an outstanding portrayal! Never allowing mimicry to get the better of him or letting even a single note go into a zone of caricature!! He holds this narrative like a legend!"
Vicky Kaushal got a special mention in KJo's review of Sanju. "VICKY KAUSHAL is emerging to be such a bonafide movie star!!! There is nothing this talented actor can’t do!!! He plays the sympathetic friend with such emotional depth!! He made me cry with him....superb!!!! @vickykaushal09 and what a year he is having!!!!!," read Karan's tweet.
Karan Johar congratulated the team of Sanju. He tweeted, "Overall congratulations to the team of this BLOCKBUSTER!!! VINOD CHOPRA and @foxstarhindi for the box office juggernaut called #Sanju!!!"
Talking about her experience of working on Sanju, the actor told indianexpress.com, “It was an amazing experience, both with Ranbir and Raju sir. I was really happy when I was called for the film, and Raju sir personally met me, approved the look test and loved me in the part. As an actor, working with Rajkumar Hirani was on my bucket list and I managed to fulfil it.”
Also read | Sanju actor Karishma Tanna: It was on my bucket list to work with Rajkumar Hirani
Calling Sanju a 'must watch', Manjima Mohan shared, "Never knew “according to sources” could spoil someone’s life!! #sanju is a must watch. ! Hats off??"
Sampada Sharma of indianexpress.com says, "Don't expect Sanju to be a sensational tale of a womaniser and drug addict. It is, in fact, a heartfelt story of relationships. Paresh Rawal and Vicky Kaushal's characters are the emotional core of Sanju."
Impressed with director Rajkumar Hirani and actor Ranbir Kapoor's work, Dhanush tweeted, "SANJU - what can I say ?! @RajkumarHirani how do you pull it off everytime? MINDBLOWN !! Laughed. Cried. Ranbir .. big hug man. Just a big big hug. Hirani sir .. once again u made me walk out of theatre a better man .. with a smile full of tears. What u do with your movies ??"
Indianexpress.com's Komal says, "Sanju is a very well-made film. It has all the Rajkumar Hirani touches and yet it doesn't touch my heart. It is thoroughly entertaining but comes across as a film that is made to clean Sanjay Dutt's image. It is very emotionally manipulative in that sense. Performances by Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal are simply the best. There are moments where it is difficult to say if it is Ranbir on screen or Sanjay himself. I wish there was more to Anushka Sharma and Diya Mirza's characters."
Several social media posts on Friday suggested that Ranbir Kapoor starrer Sanju has been leaked online. Many social media users have shared screenshots of the torrent Sanju movie download link. A Twitter user also claims that an HD print of the movie has been leaked. The Sanjay Dutt biopic has released in theatres today and its leak on the first day might affect the business of the film to a great extent.
Also read | Sanju movie leaked online, Ranbir Kapoor fans discourage piracy
Wishing the team of Ranbir Kapoor starrer Sanju, Telugu actor Akhil Akkineni tweeted, "All the very best to the whole team of #sanju #RanbirKapoor and #rajuhirani I really hope this film gets what it deserves, an absolute dream run and a blockbuster. Can’t wait to see it. SANJAY DUTT FOR THE WIN !."
In his 11 year-long-journey in the Indian film industry, Ranbir Kapoor has charted a path that has been taken up by very few actors of his generation. The 35-year-old actor has been a part of films of varied genres. His films might have flunked at the ticket counters, but Ranbir – The Actor never failed to impress his audience. Now, with Sanju, the Bollywood buffs cannot stop gushing over his turn as Sanjay Dutt.
We look back at how Ranbir Kapoor’s previous films have performed in terms of box office numbers.
1. Jagga Jasoos: Rs 54.16 crore
Directed by Anurag Basu, Jagga Jasoos, starring Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor, earned Rs 54.16 crore in the domestic market. A Bollywood spy thriller and a musical, the film failed to find the right audience.
2. Ae Dil Hai Mushkil: Rs 112.48 crore
Presenting yet another tale of love and heartbreaks, Karan Johar released his film Ae Dil Hai Mushkil around the festival of Diwali. Ranbir Kapoor essayed the role of an intense lover Ayan who falls for Anushka Sharma’s character Alizeh. The festive release and stellar performances by the cast made the film a member of the 100-crore club. It earned a total amount of Rs 112.8 crore.
Also read | A look at the box office performance of Sanju actor Ranbir Kapoor’s last five films
Sanju is mostly engaging and some of it good enough to make you laugh out loud in pleasure, especially when Hirani is killing it. But you wonder too what the film chose to leave out, and you wonder if this would have been more of a film if those things had been in here.
Also Read | Sanju movie review: The Ranbir Kapoor starrer is mostly engaging
Papon shared on Twitter: "#Sanju is a treat! It made last night so special! Big love to @RajkumarHirani #RanbirKapoor and of course to #SanjuBaba"
"From Sanjay Leela Bhansali to Raju Hirani, it's so good to see you back on screen together after 11 years! Good luck @sonamkapoor #Ranbirkapoor... #Sanju in theatres now! #Veere #ELKDTAL," Sonam Kapoor's brother Harshvardhan Kapoor said via Instagram.
Karishma Tanna posted on Instagram: "I think once in a lifetime you get an opportunity to be a part of a film that portrays the journey of a superstar and I feel blessed to have got a chance to share the screen space and be a part of the narrative directed by none other then Raju sir . Sanju is finally out and the wait is over , go grab your tickets and rightly said kursiya ki patiya baandh do , take on this ride and the journey will engross you and take you to a different world.Thank you @hirani.rajkumar sir for giving me an opportunity and make this appearence feel special in many ways!!???"
Raazi director Meghna Gulzar heaped praise on Sanju. She said, "#Sanju is a complex life narrated deftly, in inimitable @RajkumarHirani style.. #RanbirKapoor is talent unimaginable and @vickykaushal09 ’s Kamles is superlative, in character and portrayal!"
"Movies have failed earlier but Ranbir Kapoor never failed... but this time the movie #sanju has lived up to everyone’s expectations and Ranbir Kapoor has excelled as an actor and portrayed Sanjay Dutt’s life with sincerity. Real rockstar. Take a bow," remarked filmmaker Omung Kumar.
Lyricist Irshad Kamil said, "Dear Friends, Entertain n Educate yourself Go & Watch #Sanju #SanjuThemovie."
Sanju actor Dia Mirza tweeted, "Our film is now yours! It has been such a wonderful experience working with such amazing co-stars and my favourite director!"
"Just watched sanju! It's such a beautiful and a touching film. I am completely blown!!! Raju sir and Ranbir together have created something out of this world. Ranbir is just so amazing!!! Uff! ?????????????????????? #sanju #ranbirkapoor #RajuHirani," Fatima Sana Shaikh said via Twitter.
Film trade analyst Sumit Kadel posted on Twitter, "Overall #Sanju is a gladsome story of a Father-Son relationship, Story of friendship, story of resilience & courage. You will love your father even more after watching the film & will start adoring your best friends more than ever. Sanju will be a BLOCKBUSTER. Ranbir Kapoor acting in #Sanju cant be justified in words. It is like you are watching an actor performing in 5-6 different films at the same time. One of the best performance i have seen in my life. Very few actor in the world can achieve what Ranbir kapoor has done in Sanju."
Naved Jafri wrote on Twitter: "All the best to @duttsanjay @RajkumarHirani #RanbirKapoor @deespeak @AnushkaSharma and the entire team of #Sanju ! Some of my family members saw the premiere last night and can’t stop raving about it! We all love SANJU- the man with a golden heart ! God bless"
"The big day is finally here! #Sanju is in cinemas now, guys! :D Do watch it!," Sonam Kapoor wrote on Twitter.
“I was very nervous. I didn’t know if I’d be able to play this role or not, given her health history and mine. But then Raju (director Rajkumar Hirani) sir told me that he doesn’t want to dwell too much into that phase of Nargis ji’s life. When I came to know the entire character sketch, I was very keen and excited to do it. I am glad I did it,” said Manisha Koirala.
Also Read | Sanju actor Manisha Koirala: I never thought I could look so much like Nargis ji
"Playing @RajkumarHirani sir’s spirit character in #Sanju was so fun! This movie is his labour of love... go watch it guys ? #RanbirKapoor @sonamakapoor @mkoirala @deespeak @vickykaushal09 @SirPareshRawal," tweeted Anushka Sharma.
"The story captures the 35-year journey of Sanjay Dutt. So it starts from when Rocky released. Sanjay was 22 and my character’s age was 20. I had to lose weight to look like a lean young Gujarati guy to an aged man of the present time. I went through a huge physical transformation,” Vicky Kaushal told IANS.
Also Read | Vicky Kaushal: I went through a huge physical transformation for Sanju
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Dia Mirza said, “Ranbir is easily one of the finest actors of our time. He comes to the set with such an ease, and he makes everything look so simple, effortless. The most beautiful quality about Ranbir is how alive he is when a scene is being played out. There were times when it was difficult to tell Ranbir apart from Sanju sir, it was quite phenomenal.”
Also Read | Sanju actor Dia Mirza: Ranbir Kapoor is phenomenal in the film
Film trade analyst Taran Adarsh shared on Twitter: "#Sanju screen count...India: 4000 [second highest screen count of 2018, after #Race3]. Overseas: 1300 [releasing in more than 65 countries]. Worldwide total: 5300 screens. Note: Widest release of Ranbir Kapoor and director Rajkumar Hirani."
In an interview with indianexpress.com, Paresh Rawal said, “I have to say that Ranbir Kapoor’s work should become a textbook case and be taught in acting schools. Ranbir Kapoor should be called and he should teach children how he prepared and did this role. See, doing mimicry, copying body language, gestures and mannerisms is very easy, but what about the eyes? He has done something to his voice and as an actor, I am still trying to figure out how to deconstruct that.”
Also Read | Sanju actor Paresh Rawal: Ranbir Kapoor’s work should be taught in acting schools
"Sir you have proved that you are the best student time and again. You tell stories with so much flair and truth passion and hardwork that no examiner can judge your films. Watched #Sanju twice already and it's incredible moving with its emotions and fimess. Love," said Swanand Kirkire.
Shabana Azmi tweeted, "@chintskap What a tour de force performance #Ranbir Kapoor in #Sanju takes your breath away in creating the the amazing likeness to #SanjayDutt without ever slipping up on the authenticity of the emotion. BRAVO. ??He is ably supported by @vickykaushal09 endearing portrayal.?"
Subhash Ghai shared on Twitter: "Go and watch #Sanju to experience real Sanjay Dutt on screen superbly performed by my favourite actor #Ranbir kapoor bringing real character alive: A heart touching film brilliantly narrated n directed by raju Congratulations @rajuhirani @abhijatj904 @ChopraVidur 4 superhit ?"
"#Sanju a story that teaches you to face your hardships with courage and be unapologetic for who you are! Amazingly picturized by @RajkumarHirani sir & Ranbir bhaiya, you’ve OUTDONE yourself! ?," Aadar Jain said via Twitter.
Jaaved Jaaferi wrote on Twitter: "Just saw #Sanju..totally moved..a remarkable film..salute to #RajKumarHirani #AbhijatJoshi..#RanbirKapoor excels..a surprisingly versatile performance by #VickyKaushal..love and dua’s for my brother @duttsanjay..high time people hear your side of the story..kuch toh log kahen ge"
Divya Khosla Kumar posted on Twitter: "Very rarely does a film touch ur heart deep dwn & leave u speechless with overflowing emotions. A film put together so remarkably. Kudos to d team?? #Sanju @RajkumarHirani @VVCFilms #RanbirKapoor #SanjayDutt @vickykaushal09 @SirPareshRawal @sonamakapoor @AnushkaSharma @deespeak"
In an interview with Indian Express, Ranbir Kapoor said, "Sanjay Dutt was a family friend, but to me, he was a star. There was this whole myth around him, of his drugs’ phase, his girlfriends, his sports cars and watches. And that’s what I knew of him. I became quite close to him. I used to work out in his gym and he had gifted me a Harley Davidson bike six years ago on my birthday. It’s only when I read the script that I discovered a different facet to him. I started to see him as a real person, someone human, someone vulnerable."