Sanjay Dutt didn't require much convincing or cajoling to come on board for Aladin.
The moment he heard the film's concept, genre and they way it was envisioned to be brought on screen, he agreed to do the film pronto. He was impatient about the film going on floors. His character is like that of evil magician Jafar in the Disney version of Aladin.Says a source associated to the film, "Sanju baba actually became quite childlike when he was narrated the concept of Aladin. He hasn't worked in a film belonging to this genre before, the kind that involves fairytale elements embellished in a narrative that is set in today's times. The legend of Aladin and Genie is known worldwide and Sanju baba didn't require much thinking to be a part of the project. As a fun loving villain, who was capable of showing the mean side of his at any given moment, the character was tailor-made for him and he connected to that instantly when the part was explained to him."
Incidentally, it was Amitabh Bachchan himself who first had a word with Sanjay Dutt about his role of Ringmaster in Aladin.
Confirms Sujoy Ghosh, "Yes, after I had an elaborate narration of Aladin with Mr. Bachchan, we were discussing who could play the role of Ringmaster. We agreed that it had to be Dutt saab and I was supposed to contact him the next day. However, to my surprise, before I could speak to Dutt saab, Mr. Bachchan had already spoken to him. When I met him, he mockingly pulled me for not speaking to him directly. I explained that I had all the right intentions to do so but didn't have any clue that Mr. Bachchan would himself take the first step."
Kicked about the entire idea, "I still remember it was year 2006," Sujoy gets nostalgic here, "Dutt saab was so excited about donning the hat of Ringmaster. Pun intended."
Sanjay Dutt had a condition though before saying yes. "Yes, he didn't want anyone to fiddle around with his look," laughs Sujoy, "His only condition was that he wanted the moustache of Ringmaster to be kept intact. Of course, we had no reason not to agree."
Aladin releases on October 30.
