On the occasion of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt’s 60th birthday, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt penned an emotional letter for the Munna Bhai actor who turns 60 on 29 July 2019. Mahesh Bhatt recently wrapped the shoot of Sadak 2, his upcoming film that not only marks his return to the director’s chair but also his reunion with Sanjay Dutt. The original Sadak, directed by Mahesh Bhatt, also starred Sanjay Dutt.
In the letter published by Mumbai Mirror, Mahesh Bhatt begins by quoting from a letter written by Japanese filmmaker Akiro Kurosawa to Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. He writes that the “ideal way of life” is a complete cycle that goes from baby to youth to prime of life to “second babyhood”.
He adds, “Having shot with you for Sadak 2 after being away from the director’s chair for 20 years, I feel exactly the same way about you. You are a man, entering the phase of your second babyhood.”
Mahesh Bhatt concludes the letter by saying that he is grateful to have gotten the opportunity to work with Sanjay Dutt in the ‘autumn years’ of their lives.
Elaborating on the time they spent together on the sets of Sadak 2, Mahesh Bhatt writes about how the fire within Sanjay Dutt dazzles not just him but also the next generation of actors like Alia Bhatt and Aditya Roy Kapur.
Your life proves that it is by suffering, and suffering alone, that one ceases to be just a mere acting machine. The periods of solitude that you’ve experienced in prison, face to face with suffering, have woken you up to deep love, compassion and understanding,” says Mahesh Bhatt.
Mahesh Bhatt concludes the letter by saying that he is grateful to have gotten the opportunity to work with Sanjay Dutt in the ‘autumn years’ of their lives. “But as the wise say: Autumn is just another spring,” he signs off.
(Source: Mumbai Mirror)
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