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Sanjay Dutt's tryst with Gandhi
Published on Mon, Oct 02, 2006 at 09:20, Updated on Mon, Oct 02, 2006 at 12:59 in Entertainment section
Tags: Sanjay Dutt, Lage Raho Munnabhai
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Gandhism has given way to Gandhigiri. Who better to talk about Gandhigiri than the very actor whose latest film, Lage Raho Munnabhai, has re-introduced us to the Mahatma. CNN-IBN Entertainment Editor Rajeev Masand caught up with actor Sanjay Dutt to talk about the significance of Gandhi today.
Rajeev Masand: Your film Lage Raho Munnabhai suggests that the world would be a better place and that almost every problem could be solved if we apply the principles and ideologies that Mahatma Gandhi spoke about, that is of course through non-violence. Do you genuinely believe that the impossible can be achieved by applying Gandhigiri so to speak?
Sanjay Dutt: My father and mother have been Gandhians and we have been raised by the principles of Gandhiji. My parents taught us to always be peaceful and always tell the truth. I know telling the truth will get you into trouble but eventually truth prevails. I think it is very important for everyone to implement that in their lives. I know it is difficult but I think that is the only way to win.
Rajeev Masand: A lot of people seem to think that Gandhi’s values today are a little outdated and a little irrelevant, what do you have to say to that?
Sanjay Dutt: To be honest, I do not believe in that at all. I knew Mahatma Gandhi as the Father of the Nation but I really didn’t know what he preached in spite of being an Indian citizen. For Lage Raho Munnabhai I had to read a lot about Mahatma Gandhi and I had to know about what he did. After I did all that, I realised what a great man Gandhi was. To have a movement with non-violence is truly commendable. He fought and protested against the British peacefully and eventually he won. I believe in that today.
Rajeev Masand: How much closer did the film bring you to Gandhi and about what he taught?
Sanjay Dutt: It really brought me very close to Mahatma Gandhi. I remember the first day when I met the actor who was doing Gandhi’s role in the film. When he made himself up and came as Bapu, I wanted to pay my respects to him. I knew he was an actor but I went to him and said, “Kaise hain aap (How are you).” Gandhi generates that kind of respect for what he has done over the years. He studied in England, he went as a lawyer to South Africa and he started thinking of his country in terms of freedom. He started all that and the best part was that he did it with peace. There was no violence in what Mahatma Gandhi did.
Rajeev Masand: There are many ways in which Lage Raho Munnabhai has gone beyond what most Bollywood films would. It has achieved more than just what a typical Bollywood film achieves. The two main characters, Munna and Circuit have become icons for a generation. They have become spokespeople for Gandhigiri. Are you happy with what Lage Raho Munnabhai has achieved?
Sanjay Dutt: Absolutely. To be involved in a film like Lage Raho Munnabhai is a great honour. It is an honour for me to spread the message of peace and to spread the message of Gandhi and I can say that even for Arshad (Warsi). If people can relate to us as interpreters of Mahatma Gandhi, that would make me proud and honoured. It is a big responsibility on my head today. If I can be of help in any way in spreading Gandhigiri, I am going to be there.
Rajeev Masand: Finally Sanjay, what do you think that your father would have said after seeing the film?
Sanjay Dutt: We all miss him a lot. If he would have seen the film, I am sure he would have been the proudest father. In fact he was supposed to do a small bit in the film but he left us and went before that. It was in the end when I was supposed to put the ring in Jhanvi’s (Vidya Balan) finger that he and Rohiniji would come and say “I am so proud of you Munna!”
Rajeev Masand: He would have been very proud.
Sanjay Dutt: Absolutely.
Rajeev Masand: Best of luck Sanjay and I hope that the spirit of Gandhigiri lives on. Thank you very much.
Sanjay Dutt: Thank you.
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