Having lived in Mumbai during the tumultuous days of 1992 and 1993, when this most cosmopolitan of Indian cities city lived through anti-Muslim riots and the subsequent bomb attacks, I was naturally intrigued by the story of Sanjay Dutt.
Mr. Dutt, a Bollywood star, and the son of a well-respected, secular politician, was embroiled in the traumatic and violent events after the 1993 attacks, and spent several years in jail as a result.
Yasser Usman’s “Sanjay Dutt” is well-written, well-researched and is an easy read.
The book is as fast-paced as the life of the central figure in his book, Sanjay Dutt.
The original little prince, if ever there was one, born of Bollywood “royalty” and given every privilege in life, Dutt would, we are told, turn out to be a spoiled brat, an entitled child who seems to enjoy breaking rules just for the heck of it. He is unmotivated at school, drops out of college, and then decides to make it in Bollywood, the son of an iconic Bollywood couple.
Sanjay Dutt has spent much of his life mired in drugs and alcohol, and – to his credit – has never shied away from the truth. He is known to be a frank, outspoken man, even if the narrative is not always in his favour and it is clear that the author respects him for this.
Mr. Usman has researched every stage of Sanjay Dutt’s life, but the book reads easily, without any hint of judgment.
We feel that the author probably has a soft spot for his subject, but he never judges him on our behalf.
We are told all the facts of Mr. Dutt’s life and behaviour, and allowed to make up our own minds.
The writer does not try to influence our opinion : Mr. Usman simply shines a light on the conduct and behaviour of a man used to being indulged all his life, and allows us to draw our own conclusions.
I confess to not having been as passionately supportive of Sanjay Dutt as many of my acquaintances were, in those weird, frightening Mumbai days.
Most people I knew were absolutely incredulous that an actor like him, from his background, would have any truck with terrorism.
Most people really wanted to believe Mr. Dutt, when he claimed he had weapons to protect himself because he was half Muslim.
This claim is put forward in the book, but in his even-handed way, the author also recounts the many contacts Mr. Dutt had with the underworld. It is left to us to make our own minds up.
It is a fascinating look at a life of privilege that becomes a life of horror for those who care for Mr. Dutt, a man who inspired affection and loyalty amongst his close circle, though he appears to take this love and loyalty somewhat for granted.
Alcohol, drugs on a terrifying scale, detox, rehab, failed marriages, jail – to use an easy analogy, Mr. Dutt’s life reads a lot like the many forgettable run-of-the-mill Bollywood potboilers in which he acted.
Mr. Usman is not shy of quoting comments over the years, from various people, that suggest Mr. Dutt is nothing worse than immature and impetuous.
That appears to be the general consensus.
He is not considered to be a criminal or a terrorist, which is what he was initially convicted of, but rather a stupid man, who had an unhealthy love of guns, and an equally unhealthy interest in the criminal underworld.
“This incident aptly describes the Sanjay Dutt of those times: an impulsive, immature, egotist junkie.”
An interesting read, and I found it fascinating to flesh out my memories of those traumatic times, with an insight that I certainly didn’t have at the time.
Disclaimer: I was sent a review copy of the book by the publishers, Juggernaut Books, but (as in the past) they have scrupulously sent me the book with absolutely no strings attached.
And now you want to read the book, don’t you?
Do. It’s a cracking good read.
You don’t need me to explain how to order online, do you? Thought not.
Here you go: