Lucknow: Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, who will be the Samajwadi Party candidate from Lucknow in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls, on Wednesday said he would follow in his late father Sunil Dutt's footsteps to serve the masses.
"My father was not a politician. He was a social worker and did his best to work for people's welfare. I will follow the same path," Sanjay, clad in a politician's trademark white kurta-pyjama, said at a press conference convened in the Taj hotel.
He said as he comes from a family that is known for serious commitment, he would fulfil his promise to serve the residents of Lucknow in the best way he could.
Asked what his poll plank would be, the Bollywood star said he would practice 'Gandhigiri' - the non-violent way of life preached by Munnabhai, a popular character he has played in films - to win the hearts of voters.
"Ensuring peace will be a very important factor for me," said Sanjay, who was flanked by his wife Manyata, Samajwadi Party Chief Mulayam Singh and party General Secretary Amar Singh.
Asked why he thought of visiting his father's home in Lucknow ofter 45 years, the actor replied: "I always wanted to come here and meet the family with whom my father lived while he worked with the All India Radio (AIR), but could not get time," he said.
"Now, I am quite happy as I finally met the family which shared memorable moments with my father," he added.
Like Sanjay, his father Sunil Dutt was also an actor but was a staunch Congress member.
Sanjay kicked off his poll campaign here with hundreds of his fans thronging the city streets to catch a glimpse of the man they call Munnabhai. His trip was aimed at formulating strategy for the upcoming April-May Lok Sabha polls.
Accompanied by Manyata and Amar Singh, Sanjay straight away went to meet Captain Rizvi's family in the Jopling Road locality with whom his father Sunil Dutt stayed while he worked as an anchor with the All India Radio (AIR).
Sunil Dutt lived with the family of Captain Rizvi in the narrow Ganne Wali lane in Aminabad for nearly four years till 1951. However, owing to security reasons Sanjay was not allowed to enter the lane.
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Sanjay and Manyata were showered with red rose petals while they met the captain's family at Jopling Road. Calling Manyata its daughter-in-law, the family also gave muh dikhayee, a post-marriage ritual in Hindu families where money is gifted to the bride after seeing her face.
"I am quite happy to visit the family with whom my father cherished some memorable moments," Sanjay told reporters.
With the family members, he also went through some black and white photographs of his father.
After meeting the family, Sanjay along with his wife and Amar Singh headed for the Samajwadi Party office on Vikramaditya Marg.
Though convicted for arms possession in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, he has been picked by the Samajwadi Party as its candidate from Lucknow.
Where is Sanjay Dutt, fume residents of Lucknow locality
They had waited with flowers and garlands since early morning to welcome him, but when Bollywood star and Samajwadi Party candidate from Lucknow Sanjay Dutt failed to show up in their neighbourhood by noon Wednesday, the residents fumed.
Sanjay was to visit the congested Ganne Wali lane in the Aminabad locality where his father Sunil Dutt had lived with a family for four years till 1951. But security reasons kept him away.
Aslam, a resident, said: "The actor has just disappointed us a lot. He is just not bothered about meeting his ardent fans who were waiting for him for the last several hours."
The locals who had started thronging the lanes since 6.30 a.m. Wednesday threw the flowers and garlands that were meant for the Bollywood actor. They raised slogans against Sanjay and even damaged the 'pagdi' (headgear) meant for welcoming him.
"If Sanju cannot come to meet us, how can we expect he will take care of us after winning the elections," said a fuming Munna, a resident of the Ganne Wali lane.
The Samajwadi Party did not rule out the actor's visiting the place later in the day.
Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary said: "Hundreds of people lined up the lane which is merely 2-3 feet wide. Owing to a heavy rush and security reasons, Sanjay is expected to visit the lane sometime later."
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