Rajkumar Hirani gave one of the biggest blockbusters of the year, Sanju, based on the life of Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt. Though the film did wonders at the box office, critics seemed disappointed with the “whitewashing” and glorification of the character, besides the media bashing. The makers of Sanju have now turned the tables and questioned the critics.

Asked about the media bashing, Hirani told IANS: “If I start on that, I can talk on it for the full day.”

Also read: Sanju a ‘propaganda’ film? Read what Sanjay Dutt has to say

The co-writer of the biopic, Abhijat Josh, added, “There is no media bashing at all. We are great fans of the media.”

“What we are bashing is a certain section which sensationalises things and uses a question mark to make things ‘chatpata’ (spicy). That has been critiqued, and I am amazed there has been no introspection on that side. No one has even said that it happens,” Joshi continued.

From Sanjay’s drug addiction, personal affairs, a jail term for possession of arms in connection with the 1993 serial blasts, to his bonds with his parents and friends — Sanju has delved into different aspects of the actor’s life but has also left out a lot.

Hirani went on to ask which portion of the film people claim have been whitewashed. “Yes, he kept the gun, and we have shown that. We have shown that he served five years in jail and that he is saying it was a mistake… So where is the question of whitewashing? What have I whitewashed? I want to understand that,” Hirani asked.

“People are using this word whitewash. I want to know what have I whitewashed? I have shown that he had 308 girlfriends, that he was so addicted to drugs, he slept with his friend’s girlfriend. Is this whitewashing?” he added.

Read more: Real Kamlesh Kapasi, Sanjay Dutt’s best friend, pens down an emotional note

The film showed a lot of lows in Sanjay Dutt’s life. Talking about the phases of his life portrayed in the film, Hirani said, “We have shown all this… Still, people are saying we have glorified his life. Who knew this that instead of putting a mangalsutra, he put a commode on a girl.”

Sanju stars an ensemble cast including the likes of Paresh Rawal, Vicky Kaushal, Dia Mirza and Manisha Koirala alongside Ranbir Kapoor and was released on June 29.