Sanjay Dutt defends Knock Out

Bollywood actor Sunjay Dutt says the subject matter is totally different and the only thing similar to the Hollywood film Phone Booth was the phone booth and the sniper.

Sanjay Dutt is a happy man. His wife, Maanyata, delivered two beautiful twins earlier this month. “I got my Diwali presents,” says the proud father. “We haven’t thought of names for the kids yet. I will try and spend as much time as I can with them.”

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There is nothing that can affect deter his happiness. Not even Knock Out’s performance at the box office. “The response has been okay, nothing great. But I am happy,” says Dutt, following the shenanigans before the film’s release.

A few weeks ago, the producers of the film, which also stars Irrfan Khan, Kangna Ranaut and Gulshan Grover, were accused of plagiarising from the Hollywood hit Phone Booth (2002). According to news reports, Twentieth Century Fox allegedly sued the producers for around Rs 1.5 crore to lift an injunction blocking the film’s release.

Even though Dutt admits that "the film’s premise was Phone Booth" and that "he was very much aware of that fact," he insists that the final product was different. "The subject matter is totally different. The only thing similar to the Hollywood film was the phone booth and the sniper," says Dutt, who is a huge wristwatch buff and recently visited the Time Avenue store in Bandra to check out Rolex’s new festive collection.

The actor, who has been known for his performances in super-hit films like Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai in the past, will soon be seen in the third addition to that list. “The next Munnabhai film will start in June 2011.”

Having worked on such original scripts, what made him agree to do an inspired film? “Everybody does films which have been inspired by Hollywood films,” says Dutt, who is currently shooting for Double Dhamaal, Rascals and Power.

Dismissing rumours about his involvement in various projects, he clarifies, “I don’t know anything about Partner 2 right now. Neither will I be playing Baba Ramdev, nor do I have any issues with anyone in the industry.”