'Sanju': A heart-warming tale, brilliantly portrayed

Film: "Sanju"; Director: Raj Kumar Hirani; Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal, Dia Mirza, Manisha Koirala, Anushka Sharma, Sonam Kapoor, Boman Irani, Anjan Shrivastav; Rating: ****

Actor Sanjay Dutt's life may have been an open book, yet Director Raj Kumar Hirani's "Sanju" gives you a peek into Sanjay Dutt's life with an honesty that instantly touches your heart. Sans any gimmicks, Hindi film tropes and unnecessary drama, Hirani lays bare the actor's life, recounting each milestone of his turbulent and tumultuous life.

The length of the film here - 161 minutes, is not a deterrent, as Hirani manages to keep you hooked, divulging details about Sanjay Dutt's life, which one may have known, but are brought to life through the sincere and effortless portrayal by Ranbir Kapoor, who essays the character of Sanju with panache.

Whether it is his craving for drugs, breaking down upon learning about his mother's illness or being denied giving a speech owing to his "terrorist' connections, there is complete sincerity in his emotions which strike a chord with the audience.

It is no denying that Raj Kumar Hirani is an auteur with a flair for storytelling, He effectively manages to keep the audience engrossed with the simple narrative, which is a journey of emotional upheavals, shocking revelations and tender moments.

The dialogues by Hirani himself and Abhijat Joshi are straightforward, colloquial, yet laced with humour. The songs too mesh perfectly with the narrative and nothing seems out of place.