Rajkumar Hirani has explained what made Sanju possible. The director says Sanjay Dutt gave him access to the parts of his life that were not flattering. That honesty, according to Hirani, is what allowed the 2018 biopic to be made the way it was.
Sanju explored different phases of Sanjay Dutt's life, with Ranbir Kapoor playing the actor on screen. The film was directed by Rajkumar Hirani and featured Paresh Rawal, Vicky Kaushal, Anushka Sharma and Manisha Koirala in key roles.
Why Rajkumar Hirani Chose Sanjay Dutt's Story for Sanju
Hirani has now explained his approach to picking a subject for a biographical film. He said personal struggles, mistakes and contradictions matter more to him than conventional success stories. In his view, a life full of ups and downs gives a filmmaker more to work with than a clean, polished rise to fame.
The director's comment about access is the heart of the matter. A biopic can only go as deep as its subject allows. Hirani has made it clear that Sanjay Dutt did not hold back the difficult chapters.
"Sanjay Dutt gave me access to the parts of his life that were not flattering." — Rajkumar Hirani
What Sanju Covered: Addiction, Media Scrutiny and Personal Mistakes
Sanju did not shy away from the hard parts of its subject's life. The film explored:
- Addiction and the struggle to break free from it
- Heavy media scrutiny of a public figure's personal life
- Personal mistakes and their consequences
- Relationships that shaped the actor's journey
The film went on to achieve commercial success. That outcome matters because it shows audiences accepted a warts-and-all portrait rather than a sanitised tribute.
Why Hirani Has Not Rushed His Next Biopic
Following the film's release, Hirani received several offers to make biopics on other real-life personalities. However, the filmmaker has taken his time to choose his next subject. His explanation of what made Sanju work also explains the delay. If a director needs a subject willing to share the unflattering parts, then not every offer will fit.
Our Take: Honesty Is What Made Sanju Work
In our view, Hirani has put his finger on something most biopics get wrong. Too many films about famous people turn into long praise sessions. They skip the mistakes, soften the failures and present a hero with no cracks. Sanju did the opposite, and that is exactly why it connected with viewers.
To put it plainly, the credit here belongs to both men. Hirani asked the hard questions, and Sanjay Dutt answered them. A director can only show what a subject is willing to reveal. That is why Hirani's point about access is not just a nice quote. It is the actual reason the film exists in the form it does.
For readers, the takeaway is simple. When you watch a biopic, ask what the subject allowed the filmmaker to show. If the answer is "only the good parts," you are probably watching a advertisement, not a story. Sanju worked because its subject let the camera into the uncomfortable corners of his life. That is a rare thing, and Hirani knows it.
The director's patience with his next project also makes sense now. He is not looking for a famous name. He is looking for someone brave enough to be seen honestly.
