Sanjay and Maanayata Dutt.
Preparations have begun for Sanjay Dutt's return to Bollywood. The actor, who is currently serving his jail term after conviction in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case, is due to walk free in the early hours of February 25. Although that is over a month away, his wife Maanayata has started his image rebuilding process.
For starters, those handling Sanjay Dutt's films and related work have been shown the door. The old guard has made way for a fresh team. A new publicist has been hired in a bid to streamline and provide information about him. A talent management agency has also been roped in to build Brand Dutt.
Says a source, "Maanayata is making sure that Sanjay is surrounded by the right people and does not want him to take any wrong decisions in future. Sanjay is known to listen to his heart and work in his friends' ventures. But this time, she wants him to be more professional in his approach. He will be guided about films and endorsement deals keeping in mind his new image."
Adds the source, "When he was out on parole in September last year, he had conducted meetings with the talent agency to chalk out a game plan for him. Now as the date of his release is nearing, things are being put to perspective."
Buzz is that the first film that Dutt signs will be something that portrays him in positive light. Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani, who will also work on the star's biopic, might be asked to revive his 'Munnabhai 3' franchise that Sanjay Dutt is synonymous with.
The star's production house will also be put in order to ensure the release of their long-in-the-making comic caper, 'Hasmukh Pighal Gaya'.
Meanwhile, Dutt, who has been penning his thoughts almost daily while in jail, is also likely to come up with his autobiography soon.