Sanjay Dutt‘s much awaited film Bhoomi is just around the corner, and going by the reactions we’ve been seeing so far, his fans couldn’t be happier to see their Sanju Baba back with a bang! He’s plays an intense and loving father to Aditi Rao Hydari in the film, and their chemistry is so sweet, it’ll remind you of your relationship with your father. Ahead of his release, Dutt has been busy with promotions and recently attended an event in Delhi for India Today, where he spoke at length about his battle with drug addiction from years ago. Here are some excerpts.
On how he got into it
I got on to drugs in college. I got hooked on to it. It took me about 10 years to get out of it. I’m lucky that I had the means and provision to get out of it. Stay high on life, man! On your family, on your work. There’s no substance that can make you high. I speak from experience.
On how it’s never a one-time experience
It is an easy escape, related to being really cool. Then you get addicted to it. If a donkey dies, you drink; a dog dies, you drink. It is never a one-time experience. It becomes a vicious cycle. Rehab is a good place. When I arrived there, they took my passport away. They told me it was a very spiritual programme and I wanted to run away from there. I told my counsellor that I saw a man in my dream who asked me to go home. He told me Sanjay, that was God. And he told me, “Didn’t he tell you, you were going to be here for 2 years?”
On how difficult it was for his father and that he hopes his son doesn’t grow up to be like that
My father raised us as normal children. I was sent to a boarding school. I went through the grind. I am the same way with my kids. I try to teach them values. Respect for elders is necessary. You need to respect and value life. I just pray that my son doesn’t turn out to be like me. Because what my dad went through with me, I don’t want to go through with my child.Aww. We’re glad Sanjay’s in a much better place now and here’s wishing him all the very best for Bhoomi! 🙂