'Jadoo ki jhappi was not just a mere hug'

'It was an emotion meant to convey compassion and love.'
'In this time of social distancing, we will continue with a virtual jhappi, doing our bit to help society heal.'

Sanjay Dutt is spending the lockdown alone at home. Wife Maanyata and twins Shahraan and Iqra -- are stuck in Dubai.

"Time flies when I have my family with me virtually and it gives me immense joy to see them happy and dancing," Sanju tells Subhash K Jha.

How are you spending this time in the lockdown? Are you working out?

Yes, definitely!

I am working out at home, eating well and taking care of myself. I would do it otherwise as well.

Exercising is great and helps you lead a good lifestyle.

How are you using this time? Do you miss your family? How frequently do you connect with them ?

I miss them a lot and connect with them frequently via video calls.

I enjoy talking to them.

Time flies when I have my family with me virtually and it gives me immense joy to see them happy and dancing.

Family is the greatest treasure, more than anything else.

Are you sleeping and eating more than usual?

No. I eat and sleep only how much is needed.

The remaining time I am preparing for my characters and roles, focusing on the looks and feel of it.

Discipline is necessary.

I read somewhere that having been in prison helps you to deal better with the lockdown.

Acting is a physically and mentally demanding job.

This isolation has given me time to recharge my batteries, rest mentally and prepare for my next set of roles.

It takes a lot of time and energy to prepare for a role, especially given the complex characters I enjoy playing.

What films do we see you in next?

I have some interesting projects in the pipeline: KGF: Chapter 2, Shamshera, Bhuj: The Pride of India, Torbaaz and Sadak 2.

I am looking forward to each one of them.

Now that the era of social distancing is upon us, do you feel your jadoo ki jhappi from the Munnabhai films is no longer relevant to heal the world?

Jadoo ki jhappi was not just a mere hug, it was an emotion meant to convey compassion and love.

In this time of social distancing, we will continue with a virtual jhappi, doing our bit to help society heal.

It's great to see that in such times as well, the film's dialogues are being used to spread positivity.

The memes that have been floating around are creating great impact and I am humbled beyond words that people still find it relevant and love it as a gesture.

When do we see you in the next Munnabhai film?

Munnabhai MBBS is a film which is extremely close to my heart. I would love to be a part of another sequel.

However, you will have to ask Raju (Rajkumar Hirani, director) and let me know if he has any plans.

Do you miss your friends?

I connect with them over video calls.

All thanks to technology, we can connect with anyone, anywhere in the world.

Social distancing is the need of the hour and it makes a difference when you meet a person, physically, or over a call.

I believe in staying in touch. The medium does not matter much when there is mutual care and love.

More importantly, I miss work and the sets.

For as far as I can remember, my life has been a hop, skip and jump from one set to another.

What is your advice to fans during this time?

Staying fit is very important, especially during this time.

So eat well, stay healthy and keep exercising.

We must do our bit by staying indoors, as that's the only way to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

Let's support each other through these challenging times.

Finally, do your children want to become actors like you?

They are still kids and it's too early for me to say anything.

They can do whatever they want, provided they have a keen interest and put their heart to it.

I believe in choices and whatever is in their best interest, I will always support them.