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Entertainment • Film

Sanju

Sanju is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language biographical comedy-drama film directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Sanju is a 2018 Indian Hindi-language biographical comedy-drama film directed by Rajkumar Hirani. The film is based on the life of actor Sanjay Dutt and focuses on his struggles with drug addiction, legal troubles, relationships, and acting career. Ranbir Kapoor portrays Sanjay Dutt in the title role.

Plot and subject

Sanju dramatizes selected episodes from Sanjay Dutt's life, especially his addiction, legal troubles, and relationship with his father. It presents the story as a biographical drama rather than a full documentary account.

Production

The film was directed and edited by Rajkumar Hirani and written by Hirani and Abhijat Joshi. It was produced by Rajkumar Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra under Rajkumar Hirani Films and Vinod Chopra Films.

Cast

Ranbir Kapoor plays Sanjay Dutt, with supporting roles by Paresh Rawal, Vicky Kaushal, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, Manisha Koirala, Karishma Tanna, Jim Sarbh, Sonam Kapoor, and Boman Irani.

Release and runtime

Sanju was released in theatres on 29 June 2018. Its runtime is commonly listed as 2 hours and 35 minutes, or 162 minutes.

Key facts

  • Sanju is a biographical film about actor Sanjay Dutt.
  • Rajkumar Hirani directed and edited the film.
  • Ranbir Kapoor plays Sanjay Dutt in the title role.
  • The film covers Dutt's drug addiction, arrest, family relationships, and film career.
  • The film runs for 2 hours and 35 minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Who directed Sanju?
Sanju was directed by Rajkumar Hirani.
What is Sanju movie about?
It is about the life of actor Sanjay Dutt, including his drug addiction, legal troubles, relationship with his father, and film career.
Cast of Sanju?
The main cast includes Ranbir Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Vicky Kaushal, Anushka Sharma, Dia Mirza, Manisha Koirala, Karishma Tanna, Jim Sarbh, Sonam Kapoor, and Boman Irani.
Is Sanju based on a true story?
Yes. It is a biographical film based on the life of actor Sanjay Dutt.
How long is Sanju?
Sanju has a runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes, or about 162 minutes.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanju
    Supports: Director, release date, genre, cast, and plot overview
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6452574/
    Supports: Director, writers, and principal cast
  3. Box Office Mojo — https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt6452574/credits/
    Supports: Running time and biographical subject
  4. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sanju
    Supports: Runtime, genre, release date, director, and synopsis
  5. The Indian Express — https://www.indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/sanju-rajkumar-hirani-sanjay-dutt-reaction-5243511/
    Supports: Plot focus on Sanjay Dutt's addiction, legal case, and supporting cast