Sanju movie review: Critics go gaga, predict 'monstrous' hit; Ranbir shines

Sanju, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Anushka Sharma, opened on Friday morning in theatres across India. The film directed by Rajkumar Hirani is touted to be one of the biggest Bollywood releases of this year. 

Critics seem happy, as of now

Film trade analyst Sumit Kadel tweeted: "Sanju opens with BUMPER occupancy of 50-55% at very early morning shows (7-8) across India, 9-10 am shows will register 60-65% occupancy all over India. HUGE opening considering 4,000 plus screens"

Bollywood news website Koimoi heaped praises on the young Kapoor's portrayal of Dutt saying, "Ranbir Kapoor has done the unimaginable! He's not Ranbir Kapoor, he's not an actor, he's Sanjay Dutt in the film."

Times of India gave the film four out of five stars in its review. 

Critic and trade analyst Rohit Jaiswal said that the film is not a one-man show.

One Word for #Sanju
M-I-N-D-B-L-O-W-I-N-G

4.5 */ 5

— Rohit Jaiswal (@rohitjswl01) June 29, 2018

NDTV gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

#OneWordReview...#Sanju: M-A-S-T-E-R-P-I-E-C-E.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½
Powerful... Engaging... Emotional... Compelling... Rajkumar Hirani proves, yet again, he’s a master storyteller... This one will be a MONSTROUS HIT.

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 29, 2018

Ensemble cast shine in their respective parts... Paresh Rawal [terrific], Vicky Kaushal [outstanding], Anushka Sharma [good], Jim Sarbh [effective], Dia Mirza [admirable], Manisha Koirala [wonderful] stand out... #Sanju is plot-driven, songs fit beautifully in the narrative.

— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) June 29, 2018

 

Bollywood reactions

Subhash Ghai, director of blockbuster films of yesteryears, such as Hero and Taal, said: Go and watch Sanju to experience real Sanjay Dutt on screen superbly performed by my favourite actor Ranbir Kapoor bringing the real character alive. He congratulated Rajkumar Hirani, Ranbir, Anushka and Sanjay Dutt on Twitter for making a "heart touching" film.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh tweeted that the film is going to open in over 5300 screens globally. Of these, about 4,000 are in India. 

Just saw #Sanju..totally moved..a remarkable film..salute to #RajKumarHirani #AbhijatJoshi..#RanbirKapoor excels..a surprisingly versatile performance by #VickyKaushal..love and dua’s for my brother @duttsanjay..high time people hear your side of the story..kuch toh log kahen ge

— Jaaved Jaaferi (@jaavedjaaferi) June 28, 2018

Sanjay Dutt has had an on and off screen career due to upheavals in his life at regular intervals. He made a rocking debut in Bollywood with "Rocky" in 1981, put his personal life in jeopardy through drug addiction. However, his career went on a downward spiral after he was arrested in the aftermath of the Bombay blasts. Police had recovered illegal arms from his house and alleged that he was involved in the tragedy that came to be infamously known as Black Friday.

On Twitter, Audience reactions divided 

As usual, Twitter had been waiting for the reactions of those who watched the first-day first show. Some said that the first half was very good but the second half was a bit of a dampener. Others revelled in Ranbir Kapoor and Rajkumar Hirani's magic from inside the theatres, Here are a few interesting ones among them:

Now Watching #Sanju 8.45 AM earliest I have been at the movies