He says that the wisest decision he has ever taken was to marry Maanyata. “I was tired of living a nomad's life. The stability I needed came in the form of Maanyata. I'm happy and settled now,“ he asserts.
He lauds his wife's decision to not join politics. “She felt that she is too young to juggle two major responsibilities -- running a home as well as a full-time career in politics,“ he points out.
He has left the decision of getting into film production with him to her now. “She has done up the office recently,“ he informs proudly. “She has just completed work on the interiors and we are setting everything up.“
Soham Shah has been waiting for a while to direct an adventure sports film for his banner. Is the debacle of the action adventure, Blue, the reason for the delay? Dutt shrugs off the rumour dismissively and retorts sharply, “We have already signed Soham and the film will start soon. Why would the debacle of Blue affect my home production? I was not the producer of Blue. As an actor, I have proved myself several times over. A hit or a flop can't shake the ground I am standing on today.“
He argues that when a movie has to work, it will, irrespective of the odds. And when failure is destined, even a mega-budget, star-studded film like Blue doesn't live up to expectations.
“Failure should be shared by everyone involved,“ he insists. “A flop does affect me to an extent, but not enough for me to give up my career in acting and filmmak- ing. That's my passion.“
While Shah's film is on track, Dutt refutes the buzz that he's planning an Indianised Midnight Express and working on remakes of Padosan and Chashme Buddoor. “I don't think I will be working on any remakes, it's not a good idea,“ he says.
So what is he looking forward to this year?
“Three films -- Lamhaa, Knock Out and No Problem. And a cute little baby in my arms. I really want to have a child this year. I am keeping my fingers crossed and praying for it to happen.“
