Rajkumar Hirani is the biggest director in Bollywood at the moment, gifting fans with comedies such as 3 Idiots and PK.
However, his latest film, Sanju, is a very different offering, focusing on actor Sanjay Dutt – played by Ranbir Kapoor – who was arrested for his involvement in the Mumbai Bombings, back in 1993.
The biopic, which arrived in cinemas on 29 June, also followed the Bollywoods stars life as he battled his way through a drug addiction and time in prison, as well as his relationship with his dad.
And, while it is a completely true story, the director admitted he had to force the 58-year-old to sit down and watch the film about his life.
When asked what his reaction was, he told metro.co.uk: I wanted Sanju to see the film, because I went and made what I thought was my perception of his life. I was really worried that he would give me a huge problem but I was keen to see his reaction.
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He didnt even want to see it, but I forced him to watch it before it came out.
When he was watching it, I was constantly watching him! I could see that he was going through a huge surge of emotions and was holding back, when it ended he got up and broke down.
He came and hugged all of us and it took him a while to come out of it!
Rajkumar has made some of the biggest comedies to come out of India.
3 Idiots has become an international success, while PK is the fifth highest-grossing Bollywood has ever produced.
But the 55-year-old admitted he was worried about how fans would take to a film with a more serious storyline.
Im surprised every time, he continued. By the time the film gets released Im a nervous wreck. Every time I make a film, I think this is the worst film Ive ever made in my life.
It happened when I made 3 Idiots, it happened with PK, it was the same this time. Its also such a different film, I was worried it wouldnt work. But Im so relieved a lot of love has been shown for the film!
Its a pleasant surprise how well how much other countries have taken to the story. Its completely different to other films Ive made.
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Its about a man that made bad choices. I was worried about how people would take it, but its so overwhelming. All I can say is Im in a state of happiness!
Following the success of Sanju, Rajkumar believes more films concerning drug abuse should be made, as its such a rampant problem facing India at the moment.
We should see more of it. Drugs are a huge menace at the moment, its so rampant and freely available here, its a big menacem, he added.
So if a story is supporting that, it should not be made, but if films are showing people fighting off it and coming off drugs, we should encourage that.
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A few days ago, one girl came up to me and said she was a drug addict and after seeing the film she realised that she didnt want her family to go through what Sanjays did, and promised me she would quit.
Its always so heartwarming to hear these stories. In a way, if we can inspire someone to see the depths – if people can see whatd depths they can sink to – I think it should be made.
Sanju is out in cinemas now.
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