Sanjay Dutt: One Man, Many Lives

by Ram Kamal Mukherjee

What the world knows about Sanjay Dutt is only half truths.   Best-selling author, film producer and renowned journalist Ram Kamal Mukherjee unravels the enigma and stigma surrounding Sanju Baba.   There can be no last word on Sanjay Dutt. Ever. Even as he walks a free man after more than three decades of prison terms and controversies, Dutt remains a classic case study in all that defines the ‘star' system in Bollywood - an industry known for its deep-rooted sense of entitlement. However, there is one question that who is the real Sanjay Dutt?   Is he a man who has been ‘wronged by the media', as his friend and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani wants everyone to believe? Is he a son who could never recover from his mother's death? Is he a son whose father's political leanings made him an easy target? Or is he a myth, created by a consortium of film journalists, industry insiders, political fiends and adversaries?   Delving deep into both the man and his circumstances, Sanjay One Man, Many Lives tells the uncut, untold and uncensored story of Sanjay Balraj Dutt. What emerges is an account - as much about one man's laudable efforts to keep reinventing himself, as it is about his privileges.   Privileges that were seldom earned and always taken for granted.  This is the closest anyone can ever come to understanding Sanju Baba.

240 pages, Hardcover

Published May 8, 2019

About the author

Ram Kamal Mukherjee (Bengali: রাম কমল মুখার্জী) (born 1976) is a Bollywood film journalist and critic. He is best known for his coffee-table book on actress Hema Malini, Hema Malini Diva Unveiled from 2005. He has been a journalist for Screen (now Hotstar), The Asian Age, Stardust and the Mumbai Mirror, and is the former Vice-President of Pritish Nandy Communications.[1][2][3] [4][5] After working with Stardust, now he is writing his first fiction for Leadstart Publishing.

In 2016 he was working as producer with Rajshree Ojha for the TV series Bin Kuch Kahe.[6][7] He released the short story collection Long Island Iced Tea, a collection of eight short stories. Published by Leadstart Publishing this 154 pages book is his first foray into fiction.

Reviews

[Vishnu Chevli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been reading since I can read (literally from the age of 8 or 9). I read so many fictions that now I reached a level where fictions don't fancy me much. Rather I started reading more nonfiction. Among them, biographies have taken the front seat. I have read more than 25-30 biographies in the last 3-4 years. When I watched Sanju movie I wanted to read Sanjay Dutt's biography "Kuch to Log Kahenge" but I didn't get the book at that time. So when I got the chance to read the book on Sanjay Dutt by another author I didn't miss it. here I am to discuss the book.

The book is written in a simple context. Lucid language and medium pace made me turn page after page. The author has covered parts and packages of many incidents of Sanjay's life. These incidents are what makes Sanjay Dutt that we see today, whether they are good or bad. In a neutral scale, you may find book slightly towards Sanjay side. So those who see law above stardom may criticize the book just like they did it for movie Sanju.

Talking about the book design, hardcover book with a classy image of Sanjay Dutt make the book a nice attraction for your bookshelf or coffee table. Special moments of Sanjay's like are pictured in the book for fans in color glossy pages.

Detailed Review link - https://chevusread.blogspot.com/2019/...

[Pari · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book recites the ups and downs in the life of one of Bollywood’s much controversial Superstar Sanjay Dutt. From being a pampered Star Kid to his tryst with Law, his fame and his relationships, the bond with his father and that with his daughter, the long stretch of his life under Drug Addiction and his fight to overcome his vices; these and much more lays within the pages. Not only that, the book also contains a few distinct photographs of Sanjay Dutt that provides the reader a glimpse into varied point in his life whether it be with his mother Nargis, or his father Sunil Dutt, with his co - stars and directors, on the sets, or with his fans.

Author Ram Kamal Mukherjee tries to state the facts in an unbiased manner in under 200 pages. So, it was a quick, light read that I could enjoy over my evening tea. As I am not much of a follower of Showbiz and celebrity related news, the book came in handy in updating me on Dutt’s life. Although I must add that most of the fans of the actor, who follows each and every article in tabloids and magazines based on him, must have already been aware of the life events narrated here.

Overall, it is an interesting read to be enjoyed at leisure.

[Abhilash Ruhela · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are few personalities who are so shady in their character that people don’t know if they should talk good about them or bad but one thing is sure they are always a topic whenever their industry is discussed. One such personality is Sanjay Dutt from Bollywood industry who has been in so many controversies all through these years but yet gets sympathy of his fans and people knowing him. Whenever Sanjay Dutt’s life is discussed, it has so many dimensions to it that the topic just doesn’t end in few minutes. Still, Mr. Ram Kamal Mukherjee showed guts in summing up Sanjay Dutt’s life in less than 200 pages in his new book “Sanjay Dutt: One Man, Many Lives”. The movie on Sanjay Dutt that all of us witnessed last year also had the same tag line but this book is little more transparent than the movie.



Mukherjee has not treated this book as a biopic but talks like an editor which makes it interesting as author hasn’t got into useless detailing of his childhood etc. which has nothing to do with a normal reader though it could haven an interest point for a die-hard fan. Author has written the book being very neutral where he talks about both- the good part that Sanjay Dutt brought into the country through his profession and also the bad part he did being an actor and Indian citizen. Just as we saw in the movie, Sanju, here too, author focuses on Sanju Baba’s relationship with his father, Sunil Dutt, majorly. Author talks about Mr. Sunil Dutt as much as he talks about Sanjay Dutt in the book. The love that he had for his son but still he didn’t act as a good father throughout his childhood in order to be strict with him is discussed. Also, how he tried saving Sanjay Dutt from any severe punishment is also described in the book which tells about what a good father he was even without displaying his emotions.



Sanjay Dutt’s personal and professional life is given a glance in this book where almost everything from his drugs to court case to prison days to multiple marriages to his relationship with his sisters- before and after to his concern for his children to his relationships with his colleagues- ups and downs are discussed briefly. You will get many answers about Dutt’s life which certainly media never tells you without keeping bias. Sanjay Dutt’s professional life is also discussed where his trend setting styles, his gangster movies, his flops and hits, his relationship with his co-stars are given some light.



Sanjay Dutt’s relationship with Manyata is one of the USPs of the book as there are many insights about Manyata which shall definitely make you think twice about her commitment towards Dutt as not much is discussed about her in the media. Also, why Sanjay Dutt’s relationship gets on and off with his sisters, Salman Khan, Sanjay Gupta and other people associated with him is nicely narrated in the book. The way author has written or you can say, the way Sanjay Dutt’s life is, everything seems to be a fiction and therefore reading this book never becomes boring.



Author has tried to be as little biased as possible and it shows in the book where he talks everything as it is without trying to give his perspective to the story unlike what Indian media did because of which Sanjay Dutt suffered more than he deserved. Author’s language is very crisp and easy for anyone to go through this book without any concern. I managed to read the book in a single sitting and I was very satisfied with the way book has been handled. Talking about the drawbacks, I still felt that author knew much more but didn’t mention about Dutt. Also, most of the parts in the book are already out in the world through media and magazines and even through the movie- Sanju hence you actually don’t get to know much in 500 bucks that you expected. The images attached of Sanjay Dutt’s life in the book are not much relevant with the chapters.



Overall, this book is a great stuff to read if you have no information about Sanjay Dutt and are keen to know otherwise it can be ignored if you are already updated about his life through media and newspapers. I give this book 3.75* out of 5.

[Rutuja Ramteke · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Sanjay Dutt: One Man, Many Lives by Ram Kamal Mukherjee📚
There can be no last word on Sanjay Dutt. Ever. Even as he walks a free man after more than three decades of prison terms and controversies, Dutt remains a classic case study in all that defines the ‘star’ system in Hollywood industry known for its deep-rooted sense of entitlement. Delving deep into both the man and his circumstances, Sanjay Dutt: one man, many lives tells the Uncut, untold and uncensored story of Sanjay balraj duty. .
📚My thoughts:
I am such a freak when it comes to biographies because no story can be as motivational as biographies are. Diving into the life full of struggles, this provides the exact picture of life that was led by famous actor Sanjay Dutt. The book starts off with a kick & slowly unfolds each & every chapter of his life. The book is more than interesting, I must admit. It's based on the life of Sanjay Dutt: Dutt was born to cinema actors Sunil Dutt andNargis. He has two sisters, Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt. His mother died in 1981, shortly before his debut film's premiere; her death is cited as the instigator of his drug abuse.📚
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📚 His life followed alot of twisty situations, in good times he was the richest person & in bad times he also had begged on roads, after being a drug adict, his life completely changed & he started losing alot of peoples & things. Talking about the writing style, it's very simple yet have the potential to grab your attention & make you read it more & more. The book is full of ups & downs which becomes hard to believe the extreme life led Sanjay Dutt. The author made sure not to touch or hurt anyone sentiments, along with it he kept his points properly. A more descriptive writing was welcomed, yet it's one of the most amazing book, I read in this genre.
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📚I really think if you are reading it, expect alot of drama, depression & love. The real life pictures makes it more interesting & overall it's a real good one. I do recommend it.
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❤Rating: 4🌟

[Mahesh Sowani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sanjay Dutt One Man, Many Lives by Ram Kamal Mukherjee claims to have told uncut, untold and uncensored story of Sanjay Dutt. This description in the inner blurb drew me towards the book.

But unfortunately except for another version as to why did Madhuri Dixit break with Sanjay Dutt we don't get to learn anything new. Whatever is written in the book we have already known through tabloids and gossip magazines. We know how Manyata reigned his finances and also chose the people who should be around Sanjay. We know her awkward relationship with Trishala. We know how his family kept away from his marriage to Manyata. We know his fling with Tina Munim. We know his friendship with Sanjay Gupta and Mahesh Manjrekar and their alleged underworld link up. Even the photographs in the book offer nothing new and unseen.

Now if you have not read anything till date about Sanju Baba. This book may help you.

[Enakshi J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Often a lot has been said and heard about Dutt but whatever we get to know is the half-baked truth. Yet again, another biographical account on Dutt’s life has caught the attention of the readers. “Sanjay Dutt: One Man, Many Lives” explores the plethora of conflicts that the protagonist was a part of.

Read the complete review at: https://aliveshadow.com/category-book...

[Vi Bin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This whole book is just a chaotic collection of News articles about Sanjay and incidents in his life, their is no coherent flow or any concern for chronological order of events hence failing to give any new insights into how Sanjay grew, infact reading the book it seems he never grew just changed his gaurdians... Even if that is the case the presentation in the book seems to be prepared by someone under medication for ADHD.