On A High

Life is looking good for Sanjay Dutt. He has returned to film production with Rascals and given up on all vices. He is a happy family man who looks forward to going home to his new-born twins.

Life is looking good for Sanjay Dutt. He has returned to film production with Rascals and given up on all vices. He is a happy family man who looks forward to going home to his new-born twins.

You have been wanting to get back to film production for a long time. What was it about Rascals that made you to take the plunge?
I wanted to start my production company about three years back,but never found the right subject. When Rascals came up,everything fell into place; like David Dhawan,the music and Ajay Devgn being a part of it. Also,firstly,it is a comedy,an out-and-out commercial venture and secondly,I relate to David as I have worked a lot with him earlier. Ajay and I are like brothers. I think this is the best film to produce at least where I am concerned.

So you have no qualms starting your production company with a comedy?
Not at all! Besides,I am very comfortable with my co-producers Sanjay Ahluwalia and Vinay Choksey. They are wonderful boys. Then there is Bharatbhai Shah who has made some amazing films. He believed in Rascals. The subject is absolutely brilliant. Vishal-Shekhars music is outstanding. The screenplay as well as the title of the film is fantastic. Everyone is so much in sync that it is like a family atmosphere on the sets.

Wouldnt you have preferred to start with a solo production?
On the contrary,I am happy that it is a joint venture. When I have people like Sanjay,Vinay and Dharam Oberoi,at least I am not stressed,especially when I am also shooting for other films. I know that everything is under control. And it is not that I shall be acting in all the movies that I produce.

You have done a lot of comedy in the past. How comfortable are you with the genre?
It all depends on who you are working with on a film. When I did the two Munna Bhai films,there were Arshad Warsi,Raju Hirani and Boman Irani. Everything worked so well and it was just like a family. It is the same with Ajay. You have to see All The Best to see our chemistry. It is basically the chemistry that works.

You have also worked with him in Hum Kisise Kam Nahin.
Like I said,we are family before being actors or professionals. We are very close and have to talk to each other at least once a week. We are always in touch.

What about Govinda and David with whom you have also teamed up earlier?
As far a comedy is concerned,nobody can touch Govinda. He is fantastic and I am really looking forward to working with him again if things work out. I am hoping that Govinda and I will do another Jodi No 2 or maybe something else soon.

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Coming back to Rascals,as a producer,how did you go about selecting the cast?
Kangna Ranuat is a fantastic actress. She is fresh and talented besides being a very nice human being. Arjun Rampal is more of a friend. He is a good actor with some brilliant work behind him. As for Ajay,he was the only choice for the role that he is playing in the film. Our chemistry was amazing in All The Best. Though it was his production,it was more like my film. That is how we are. Similarly here,though this is my film,he is more like a producer.

How?
In every way. He is very helpful. I am glad that he is a part of my film.

What are the movies to which you are looking forward?
Well Munna Bhai,for sure. Then there are Dhamaal 2 and Rascals. These are all comedies. I shall be starting work on Agneepath. This is one film I am looking forward to,as mine is a challenging role,I am all set to reprise the role of Kancha Cheena for which I even have a different and deadly look. Karan Malhotra will be one of the biggest directors after this. He is focussed and knows exactly what he wants.

As an experienced actor who has worked with the best of the lot,what is your take on the younger lot of filmmakers?
It is amazing how the younger lot is coming up with some good scripts. It is great to see so much talent. Everybody went through the same phase. When David made Taaqatwar,he was also young and raring to go. I was a part of that film. It takes time to reach there Pointing upward.

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Arent you planning to remake your father,late Sunil Dutts Mujhe Jeene Do?
Plans are on. I have Ranbir Kapoor playing the lead. I shall not be acting in this modernised version of the dacoit film that will be based in Mumbai.

This year will have you doing a lot of remakes. Why so?
After Munna Bhai,Dhamaal 2 and Agneepath,there is Satte Pe Satta. This is directed by Soham Shah for producers Shree Ashtavinayak. Besides this,I am doing an action film with director Samir Hafiz that will take off in December. I am lucky to be getting back to Vishesh Films. This is the 25th year of the company and I am glad to be doing a film with Mahesh Bhatt.

You complete 30 years in the industry in 2011. How would you describe your journey?
It has been great,though I have had my ups and downs. And I managed to overcome all hurdles. The film industry is my family that has always supported me and I thank them with all my heart. I also thank my fans for being there for me.

How would you describe your life today?
I am a happy man. I look forward to going home to my three-month old twins,Iqra and Shahraan. My work keeps me busy. I have also given up on alcohol and cigarettes and am very particular about my diet. Life is really looking good. I can easily say I am on a high,literally.

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