Munnabhai unimaginable without Sanjay: Director

Subhash Kapoor says the third Munnabhai installment will be filmed when Sanjay Dutt finishes his jail term.

SHIMLA: Sanjay Dutt’s jail term has come in the way of his journey to Delhi. Director Subhash Kapoor says the third installment of the Munnabhai franchise will start only when the actor finishes his jail stint.

“We can’t imagine Munnabhai’s next part without Sanjay Dutt,” said Kapoor, who was set to wield the megaphone for Munnabhai Chale Dilli.

The Indian Supreme Court on Friday dismissed Sanjay’s plea seeking review of its March 21 judgment upholding his conviction under the Indian Arms Act and sentencing him to five years in jail in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case. Dutt, 53, was sentenced to five years in jail by the apex court.

The actor has already undergone one-and-half years of imprisonment and according to the apex court order, he still has to complete the remaining three-and half years of the sentence.

“We will wait for our lead actor to complete his jail term,” Kapoor told IANS in an interview. “He [Sanjay] and Circuit [Arshad Varsi] are the true spirit of Munnabhai series.” The first two films — Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munna Bhai — were directed by Rajkumar Hirani, but for the third installment, Kapoor has been roped in.

The director is nevertheless hopeful of Sanjay’s early release. “We are hopeful that Sanjay will be freed early [on humanitarian grounds],” he added.

Journalist-turned-producer and director, Kapoor made his debut with Say Salaam India, which failed at the box office, but his films Phas Gaye Rey Obama and Jolly LLB were decent films.

“Bollywood recognises talent, but for this you need an opportunity. For the new entrants getting an opportunity depends all upon [the big] break,” Kapoor said. “My struggle in Bollywood, in fact, started after my first movie was a flop.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2013.                    

Like Life & Style on Facebook for the latest in fashion, gossip and entertainment.