Big B supports Dutt by shooting for his film

Expressing solidarity with actor Sanjay Dutt, Bachchan shot a sequence for his upcoming production.

As a goodwill gesture, Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan will appear in a film being made under Sanjay Dutt’s production house. Bachchan recently shot a sequence for the film despite complaining of physical “discomfort,” according to IANS and the Indian Express.

The 71-year-old actor posted on Facebook saying: “[Doing a] shoot today for a film being made by Sanjay Dutt… a gesture to be by his side in his time of trial… he is in jail but his wife and friends are running this production… and despite the pain of injury to [my] body, [I am] jiving it up… once the camera starts, it is difficult to stop...” According to reports, Bachchan will be playing himself in the film, which is reportedly titled Big B. Film-maker Rohit Shetty, who has to his credit the blockbuster Chennai Express, has been signed to direct the film.

After a four week-long furlough, Dutt recently returned to jail. He was originally released for 14 days on October 1 but requested a fortnight’s extension on medical grounds. It has been reported that Dutt had to get treated for blood clots, which had formed in his legs due to an ailment. The plea was granted to him by jail authorities.

“I still have a problem in my legs but it is a bit better than before. Pray for me, so that I can come out soon. Happy Diwali to all,” he said.  The Munna Bhai MBBS star will spend Diwali in prison, where he has been given the task of making eco-friendly bags that are sold through Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs). Dutt also expressed his thanks to the media for not violating his privacy during his parole period.

On his release, there had been speculation that Dutt may be granted a remission of sentence or a pardon. However, the rumours were debunked by state Home Minister R R Patil, who clarified that he had not received any such instructions. 53-year-old Dutt will now be serving the remaining 42 months of his five-year sentence.

Dutt was found guilty of possessing an automatic rifle and a pistol, which were part of a series of weapons meant to be used during the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. He insisted that he had the firearms only to protect his family but, to no avail. The actor’s latest release was Policegiri, which was screened after he was sent to jail.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2013.

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