Mahesh Manjrekar on Sanju: 'Film left a lot unexplored, I would have directed it with a different approach'

In a recent interview, director-actor Mahesh Manjrekar said that while  Sanju was a successful commercial film, it was lacking as a biopic. “I have seen Sanju, and it is a well-made commercial film. However, it left a lot unexplored. I would have directed it with a different approach,” Manjrekar told Mumbai Mirror. He made a cameo appearance as himself in this biopic directed by Rajkumar Hirani. [caption id=“attachment_5936541” align=“alignnone” width=“825”] Mahesh Manjrekar. Image from Facebook[/caption] He further added that Hirani has been successful in his journey to make a commercial film, as Sanju has raked in Rs 600 crore at the worldwide box office. He said he enjoyed it as a film, but as a biopic, it left him disappointed. Though it delved into many aspects of Sanjay Dutt’s life, the film was criticised for presenting Dutt’s flaws in a sugar-coated, comedified fashion, thus pandering to fans who had already forgiven the actor. Other negative aspects that have been pointed out include the glorification of the subject of the film, and media bashing. Manjrekar has co-starred with Dutt in films like Kaante and Musafir. He has also directed him in Pitaah, Vaastav: The Reality, Nidaan, Kurukshetra, and Hathyar.  His new projects include directing the Marathi film Bhai: Vyakti ki Valli, and acting in the comedy Total Dhamaal , opposite Ajay Devgn and Arshad Warsi.