Film industry has become a dirty game: Dutt

Mumbai: Sanjay Dutt is still getting plum roles after three decades in Bollywood and a life dotted with controversies. He is happy with his professional graph but says that the film industry is no longer the family it used to be and that the changing attitudes of people upset him.

"A lot of changes have taken place in the industry and I sometimes feel very sad with most of them. When we were introduced to the industry, there used to be competition among actors, but there used to more respect," Sanjay, who made his acting debut with "Rocky" in 1981, told in an interview.

"There used to be more togetherness. The film industry used to be a family. Now that is not the case. It has become a dirty game now. I'm not a part of that game, I do my own stuff, but I have noticed that and it is very sad," added the actor who has so far worked in more than 130 movies.

The 51-year-old, who has a pair of twins with wife Manyata, does not follow the so-called camp system and believes in working with all.

"I'm not here to mend things or break things. I consider every actor my brother. I still consider this industry my family. I don't believe in camps and all that. Shah Rukh (Khan) gave me respect, so I will respect him too. Similarly Salman (Khan) gave me respect, so I respect him. All are my brothers and I don't believe in anything else," he said.

Sanjay shot for a cameo appearance for Shah Rukh's ambitious home production "Ra.One" and he has teamed up with Salman to co-host the fifth season of "Bigg Boss".

The actor, whose life has seen many personal problems, tries to stay out of the rat race and industry-related controversies. He was convicted for illegal possession of arms in connection with the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

He has never been very media-savvy. Even in today's age when promoting films and being in the spotlight is considered integral to a film's promotion, the actor of films like "Naam", "Sadak", "Khal Nayak", "Vaastav" and "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S" rarely indulges in promotional work.

When asked why, Sanjay, popularly called Sanju Baba, replied: "There is no reason. I think it's just that I'm very lazy. Also, I feel that a film speaks for itself. But it's quite confusing because it is important to inform the audiences also and create curiosity around the film. I think I just need to stop being lazy now."

Looks like he is willing to change. Sanjay is taking part in the promotion of his forthcoming release film "Chatur Singh - Two Star", based on the novel "Chalaak Jasoos".

Produced by Mohammed Aslam and Parag Sanghvi and directed by Ajay Chandhok, the film also stars Suresh Menon and Amisha Patel in lead roles. It is slated to hit the screens on August 19th.

"When Aslam bhai brought it to me, it sort of appealed to me because it's a comic character who does everything wrong but feels he is the best detective in town. I told Aslam bhai to develop the story and character more and then we could take it up. He did that with the help of writers. It's a very funny film and has very interesting character," said Sanjay.

He has changed his look for the film and said: "I had to put on weight for this because it required the character to look like the cops we have today. But then it became a problem for me to lose that weight.

"Also the novel describes the character as a very clumsy guy with a funny moustache. We took the cue from there, then got the wig from London and tried something different with the look. I hope people like it," he said.