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Over four decades in cinema, and yet there are roles that even legends hesitate to revisit. Sanjay Dutt—known for his acting skills, his stardom, and his layered legacy—recently recalled one such role that left even him disturbed.
From his debut in Rocky (1981) to his reign in the ‘80s and ‘90s as a bonafide superstar, Dutt has worn many faces on screen—romantic hero, action star, and in recent years, menacing antagonist. As time evolved, so did his on-screen persona. Now, Sanju Baba often embraces complex supporting and negative roles. But among them, one stands out in his memory for all the right and wrong reasons.
It was during a television show when host Saumya Tandon asked him which film he found the most challenging. Without hesitation, Dutt replied, “Ek toh mere liye Naam thi (1986) aur ek Agneepath (2012).”
Talking about Agneepath, Dutt recalled how portraying the villainous ‘Kaancha Cheena’ deeply unsettled him. He said, “Agneepath ka jo mera kirdaar tha, main basically waisa aadmi nahi hoon. Hrithik Roshan mere chhote bhai jaisa hai. Usko chaku maarna tha, ghaseetna tha. Jab main dubbing kar raha tha, main apne aap ko dekh ke dar gaya tha.”
That fear, he admitted, came from how far removed the character was from his real self.
Released in 2012, Agneepath was a remake of the 1990 cult film starring Amitabh Bachchan. Directed by Karan Malhotra, the film featured Hrithik Roshan as Vijay Deenanath Chauhan and Priyanka Chopra as Kali Gawde. Dutt’s transformation into the bald, cold-blooded crime lord Kaancha Cheena was both terrifying and iconic. His performance was met with acclaim, proving that he could be just as unforgettable in darkness as he was in glory.
Interestingly, it wasn’t the only role that tested him. Dutt also listed Naam (1986), an emotional rollercoaster of a film, as one of the most difficult projects of his career.
Despite the discomfort it caused him, Agneepath became a roaring success. The film grossed over Rs 190 crore worldwide and solidified Dutt’s place as one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors, even when playing a monster that scared him.
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