Ranbir Kapoor is seen as the 57 year old actor in this particular picture. The actor has not only put on weight to fit into the role of Dutt but was even seen sporting the salt pepper moustache and beard with a tika like the real life Sanjay Dutt.

[ads1]

You have already seen how Ranbir Kapoor is mirroring the young Sanjay Dutt as he shoots for the latter’s biopic in the upcoming Raju Hirani film. And now, we have caught the young actor playing the older Dutt. Shooting for the film in Bandra, Ranbir looks eerily like him, complete with the teeka on the forehead and coloured mane

First look unveiled : Now that’s what I call a carbon copy of Baba as we lovingly call Sanjay Dutt… Ranbir Kapoor gets into character as he shoots for Sanjay Dutt Biopic directed by Raju Hirani in #Bandra #firstlook #ranbirkapoor #sanjaydutt #awesomeness #photography #photooftheday #paparazzi #instagood #instagood #instadaily #instacollage #bollywood #classic #movie #shooting #exclusive #favorite #friends #picoftheday #photooftheday #lookoftheday @asurve861

A post shared by Manav Manglani (@manav.manglani) on Apr 12, 2017 at 5:22am PDT

---

The Uncanny Transformation: How Ranbir Kapoor Became ‘Ditto’ Sanjay Dutt in the Blockbuster Sanju

When the first look poster and teaser of Rajkumar Hirani’s biopic on Sanjay Dutt, simply titled Sanju, dropped in April 2018, the world of Indian cinema collectively gasped. The internet was flooded with one simple, undeniable observation: Ranbir Kapoor, the poster boy of a younger, leaner generation of actors, looked ditto like the veteran star, ‘Sanju Baba.’

It wasn’t just a fleeting resemblance; it was an uncanny, spine-tingling transformation that traced the entire, tumultuous journey of Sanjay Dutt’s life—from a lanky, long-haired debutant in the 80s to the bulky, middle-aged man released from prison in 2016. The sheer commitment to physical and aesthetic authenticity single-handedly transformed the film from a highly anticipated project into a cultural phenomenon, setting a new benchmark for biopics in Bollywood and cementing Ranbir Kapoor’s status as a generational acting talent.

The Moment of Awe: The ‘First Look’ Sensation

The release of the official poster and the minute-and-a-half-long teaser for Sanju was not just a promotional event; it was a revelation. Director Rajkumar Hirani’s first poster featured Ranbir Kapoor in five distinct, iconic avatars of Sanjay Dutt, showcasing the actor’s journey through the different, controversial phases of his life.

The public’s initial reaction was a mix of shock and praise. Trade analysts and fans were astonished, with many struggling to reconcile the clean-cut image of Ranbir Kapoor with the man on the screen, a spitting image of one of Bollywood’s most enduringly controversial stars.

The key moments of the ‘first look’ that captivated the audience included:

• The Rocky Days (1980s): Ranbir appeared in the colourful striped shirt and wide-legged pants, capturing the look of a young, lanky, rebellious debutante, just before his life spiraled into drug addiction following his mother Nargis Dutt’s death.
• The Vaastav / Muscular Phase (1990s): A dramatically bulked-up physique with long, flowing hair and tight T-shirts—the ‘Sanju Baba’ look that defined his action star persona in the late 90s.
• The Munnabhai MBBS Look: The signature orange shirt and ganji (vest) of the lovable goon, Munna, a character that symbolised Sanjay Dutt’s major career resurgence in the early 2000s.
• The Post-Jail Release (2016): The final look—a frail, aged, mustachioed man in a white kurta-pyjama—perfectly replicated the famous image of Sanjay Dutt walking out of Yerwada Central Jail.

This stunning visual fidelity, achieved across a 35-year timeline, instantly dispelled any skepticism about Ranbir Kapoor being cast in the role, transforming him from an unlikely choice into the film’s undeniable highlight.

---

The Anatomy of the Transformation: Dedication, Prosthetics, and Diet

Achieving the “ditto” resemblance was the result of meticulous planning, a massive budget for technical artists, and Ranbir Kapoor’s relentless dedication, which reportedly included watching over 200 hours of Sanjay Dutt’s footage to perfect his mannerisms, body language, and accent. Director Rajkumar Hirani and his team were absolutely clear that if they couldn’t nail the look, the film wouldn’t be made.

1. The Physical Overhaul: From 70kg to 85kg

Ranbir Kapoor, naturally lean, had to undergo an intense and structured physical transformation to embody the muscular, drug-addled, and eventually older, heavier frame of Sanjay Dutt.

• Weight Gain: Ranbir successfully bulked up from a lanky 70 kg to a buff 85 kg—a gain of approximately 15 kg of muscle mass—in a span of six to eight months to play the character in his prime.
• Diet and Workout: His diet plan was highly regimented, involving 8 to 10 small meals a day, comprising both solid food and protein shakes, to ensure he met the high caloric and protein requirements for muscle building. Despite the dramatic change, his time in the gym was surprisingly efficient, limited to about an hour every day of hardcore weight training.
• A New Body Language: The weight gain was crucial not just for the look but for the body language, as Ranbir needed to capture the distinctive ‘bulky’ swagger of Dutt, a contrast to his own lean, lithe persona.

2. The Prosthetic Magic: Dr. Suresh Murkey’s Precision

The ageing process, particularly the look of the older Sanjay Dutt, was the most complex and required the expertise of prosthetic artist Dr. Suresh Murkey and makeup artist Vikram Gaikwad.

• Facial Alterations: Prosthetics were strategically used to alter Ranbir’s bone structure. For the older, “puffy” look, the artist needed to make the actor’s cheeks look fuller, particularly near the lips, and adjust the jawline to match Dutt’s appearance post-addiction, where his face had become puffy due to “alcohol.”
• The Process: The team meticulously designed around 7 to 8 different moulds to depict the various age groups. Ranbir had to sit through a grueling makeup and hair session that lasted five to six hours daily for the older role. Dr. Murkey designed the initial prosthetics solely from pictures, without meeting the real Sanjay Dutt, which speaks volumes about the meticulous detailing involved.
• Uncanny Accuracy: The prosthetics were so effective that people on set, including co-star Dia Mirza (who played Maanyata Dutt), often mistook Ranbir for the actual Sanjay Dutt when he wore the older look.

---

Critical Acclaim and Box Office Triumphs

The staggering visual success of the first look laid the groundwork for the film’s spectacular run, but it was Ranbir Kapoor’s acting prowess that sustained its momentum.

Ranbir Kapoor’s Career-Defining Performance

While critics were often divided on the film’s narrative, with some suggesting it was an overly sympathetic “image-cleansing” exercise for Sanjay Dutt, there was a complete unanimity in praise for Ranbir Kapoor’s performance.

• Critical Consensus: Critics described his portrayal as “astonishingly sincere,” “outstanding,” and a performance that truly “subsumed his personality” into the character. For many, his was “one of Hindi cinema’s most accomplished performances by a lead actor.”
• Award Recognition: His performance was a huge award magnet, earning him the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Actor at the 64th Filmfare Awards, cementing the consensus that his work went far beyond a mere impression.

A Record-Shattering Blockbuster

The combination of Rajkumar Hirani’s popular storytelling and Ranbir Kapoor’s spectacular transformation resulted in one of Bollywood’s most successful films of all time. Sanju was an immediate and historic box office phenomenon.

• Global Box Office: The film grossed a monumental total of ₹587 crore (approximately $85.8 million) worldwide, making it the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2018 and the highest-grossing film of Ranbir Kapoor’s career up to that point.
• Breaking Day One Records: It registered the highest opening day collection of 2018, collecting ₹34.75 crore nett.
• Highest Single-Day Collection: Sanju achieved the incredible feat of the highest single-day collection ever for a Hindi film at the time, raking in ₹46.71 crore on a non-festive Sunday, even surpassing the record previously held by the Hindi version of Baahubali 2.
• Highest Weekend: It became the highest opening weekend grosser of 2018, collecting ₹120.06 crore in its first three days.

The buzz created by Ranbir Kapoor’s initial ‘ditto’ look was not a flash in the pan; it translated directly into cinematic history, proving that painstaking transformation and dedicated acting can truly turn a film into a monumental cultural and commercial success. The movie Sanju will forever be remembered as the project where Ranbir Kapoor simply vanished, leaving only a perfect reflection of Sanjay Dutt on screen.

---

AISEO Friendly FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q1: What is the real name of the movie where Ranbir Kapoor looks like Sanjay Dutt?

A: The movie is titled Sanju (2018). It is a biographical drama that chronicles the life of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, with Ranbir Kapoor playing the lead role.

Q2: How did Ranbir Kapoor achieve the ‘ditto’ look of Sanjay Dutt in Sanju?

A: Ranbir Kapoor’s transformation was achieved through a combination of methods:

• Physical Transformation: He gained approximately 15 kg of muscle mass, going from 70 kg to 85 kg, to match Sanjay Dutt’s muscular frame during his prime.
• Prosthetics and Makeup: Prosthetic artist Dr. Suresh Murkey designed multiple facial moulds to show the various ages. Prosthetics were used to make his cheeks look fuller and change his jawline, particularly for the older look.
• Method Acting: He also watched over 200 hours of footage of Sanjay Dutt to perfect his voice, gait, and mannerisms.

Q3: How many different looks of Sanjay Dutt did Ranbir Kapoor portray in Sanju?

A: Ranbir Kapoor portrayed six different looks of Sanjay Dutt in Sanju, covering various phases of the actor’s life, from his debut in Rocky (1981) and his drug addiction phase to his muscular 90s star image, his Munnabhai comeback, and his eventual release from jail in 2016.

Q4: Was the movie Sanju a box office success?

A: Yes, Sanju was an All Time Blockbuster and one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time. It earned over ₹587 crore worldwide, became the highest-grossing Hindi film of 2018, and set a new record for the highest single-day collection for a Hindi film upon its release.

Q5: Did Ranbir Kapoor win any awards for his role in Sanju?

A: Yes, Ranbir Kapoor received widespread acclaim for his performance and won the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Sanjay Dutt in Sanju.