'I wanted to play my age' |Sanjay Dutt|Lamhaa|Munnabhai|Kashmir issue

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 5:29 PM IST

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'I wanted to play my age'

Last Updated : 21 Jun 2010 02:32:06 PM IST

Sanjay Dutt (Pic: ENS) Even before my telephone interview with Sanjay Dutt, I'm asked not to shoot off any “personal” or political queries and not to deviate from his latest movie, 'Lamhaa' (“He might just bang down the phone and refuse to speak further," the PR warns). I promise to tread carefully — after all, it is not everyday that Dutt comes out to promote his films.

Also, it is said that the actor has a personal interest in 'Lamhaa', a film which took a while to wrap up. Directed by Rahul Dholakia ('Parzania' fame), it sees him playing MI officer Vikram.

“It’s from the point of view of the Kashmiris, not from that of the government or the politicians,” begins Dutt. The film is extensively shot in Kashmir, with a few scenes in Mumbai of course, and the actor is clearly nostalgic about the Valley. “My father used to shoot in Kashmir and that time as a kid, I used to accompany him, so the place is very close to my heart,” he says.

'Lamhaa' reportedly took more than two years to make.

Dutt admits that though the shooting was completed in 60 days (“The pre-production work took a while and there were security issues in Kashmir”), this was a difficult project to film.

“Since we shot at actual locations, it was a scary experience at times. I was in Lachaut, which is a restricted area and I realised it only after someone told me. It was scary,” says Dutt, admitting that his school mate and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah was a big help during the shoot.

Though several situations and characters in the film are based on real Kashimiri politics, the film’s makers have been advised to play down the reality card. News has it that the movie might not even get a showing in the valley.

As for Dutt, he laughs off my queries about him researching any of his films (“I just go there and perform”). But he admits to having worked hard on getting the look.

“I got a 35-inch waistline for this role and grew a salt and pepper beard for the film. I wanted to play my age,” he laughs.

'Lamhaa' will be Dutt’s first release this year followed by Anees Bazmee’s 'No Problem' (Anil Kapoor production), 'Dhamaal-2' and 'Knock Out'.

“I am not sure when the 'Munnabhai' sequel will be released,” he tells me about Raju Hirani’s much-awaited and tentatively titled 'Munnabhai Chale Amrica'. Last year, the actor had four major film releases, but except for Rohit Shetty’s 'All the Best' (which won him this years’ best comic actor at the IIFA), the others fell flat at the box-office.

“I guess some of the films I did for my friends. But this year, I have quite a few good films in my kitty. It feels good to be busy,” he chuckles.

Currently addicted to James Cameron’s 'Avatar', which he has already watched over a dozen times, Dutt manages to set aside some quality time for music (jazz and hard rock, in particular) and the gym. And yes, he confesses that he cherishes the time spent with wife Manyaata.

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