'I am in no denial about my age. I want to play roles that suit my age': Sanjay Dutt on his role in Bhoomi

Sanjay Dutt is all set to make his comeback in Bollywood, after his 42-month-long imprisonment, with Omung Kumar’s next revenge drama Bhoomi. The film is slated to release on 22 September. [caption id=“attachment_3986909” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Aditi Rao Hydari and Sanjay Dutt in a still from Bhoomi. Screen grab via YouTube/ T-Series[/caption] Ahead of the film’s release, Dutt spoke about his own personal story, his experience of working in the film and the thrill associated with its release. No doubt, Bhoomi is a special film for the Munna Bhai actor. On choosing to make his comeback with Bhoomi, the actor said, “As an actor I believe in giving my 100 percent. Bhoomi is a socially relevant film. I believe in Beti Padhao, Beti Bachao. In jail someone told me, ‘Baba hum ek taraf Kaali Ma, Durga Ma ki puja karte hain aur doosri taraf hum stree ke saath aisa karte hain.’ This is such a shocking contrast. The film has a strong message, at the same time Omung Kumar did not want to make the film a docu-drama.” The actor has never been one to shy away from talking about his problems. While most actors hesitate to share their dark experiences, he has always been open about his trials and tribulations. “I do not know about others but I feel if I have gone through something and come out as a winner then I should I tell my story. There are few who have come out of drug addiction but I have. Our future generation and our kids are being affected by drugs. I want to start rehab centers, talk to the youth and tell them that if I can come out of it anyone can,” he said. The actor plays Aditi Rao Hydari’s father in the film. Speaking about choosing this role, he said, “I am in no denial about my age. I want to play roles that suit my age like they do in the West. On one side we have Varun Dhawan, Ranveer Singh and Sidharth Malhotra, on the other side we have Shah Rukh, Aamir and Salman Khan who are in a different zone. There is no one in the 50+ mature, tough-guy-zone and that is the space I want to be in.” On Bhoomi’s potential box office performance, the actor said, “I am anxious about every release. I think having a hit at hand is great but if you have a flop, you have to be a man and face it. Don’t change numbers and all that.” The actor signed off saying, “My biggest fear is losing my freedom. Sometimes freedom is taken for granted and only when you lose it will you know what it truly means!“​