Sanjay Dutt is one of the most prominent and versatile actors in Bollywood, known for his powerful performances in a wide range of films, from action-packed roles to intense dramas. His life story, however, is as dramatic and tumultuous as some of the characters he has portrayed on screen. Despite facing personal hardships, legal battles, and health issues, Dutt has continued to enjoy a successful career in the film industry.
Early Life:
Sanjay Dutt was born on July 29, 1959, in Mumbai, India, into a well-known Bollywood family. He is the son of veteran actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt. His mother, Nargis, was a famous actress, while his father, Sunil Dutt, was a celebrated actor, producer, and politician. Sanjay’s upbringing was deeply influenced by the film industry, and he was exposed to cinema at an early age.
Sanjay was educated at the The Lawrence School, Sanawar, before moving to the United States for higher studies. However, it was his family background in the film industry that led him towards a career in acting.
Entry into Bollywood:
Sanjay Dutt made his Bollywood debut in 1981 with the film Rocky, which was produced by his father Sunil Dutt. Despite the film’s commercial success, it was Vidhaata (1982) that brought him widespread recognition. However, it was his breakthrough performance in Naam (1986) that truly established him as a star in the industry. The film showcased his raw acting talent, and he quickly became known for his intense portrayals of troubled characters.
Personal Struggles and Legal Battles:
Sanjay Dutt’s personal life has been marked by multiple struggles, including battles with addiction, legal issues, and tragedy. His most significant setbacks began in the early 1990s when he was arrested in connection with the 1993 Bombay Bombings. Dutt was accused of possession of illegal firearms, which he claimed were meant for his personal protection during the riots following the bombings.
In 2006, Sanjay Dutt was convicted under the Arms Act and sentenced to six years in prison. However, his sentence was reduced, and he was released in 2013 after serving part of his term. The legal issues and the media circus surrounding his trial affected his career for a time, but Dutt eventually made a successful return to films.
In addition to legal issues, Dutt also battled drug addiction, which took a toll on both his personal and professional life in the 1980s and 1990s. He was sent to the United States for rehabilitation during this period.
| Year | Film Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Rocky | Rakesh / Rocky D’Souza | Debut film |
| 1982 | Johny I Love You | Raju Singh / Johny | |
| 1982 | Vidhaata | ||
| 1983 | Main Awara Hoon | ||
| 1983 | Bekaraar | Shyam | |
| 1984 | Zameen Aasmaan | Sanjay | |
| 1984 | Mera Faisla | ||
| 1985 | Do Dilon Ki Dastaan | ||
| 1985 | Jaan Ki Baazi | Inspector Amar / Laxman (Dual Role) | |
| 1986 | Naam | Breakthrough role | |
| 1986 | Mera Haque | Amru Dada (Dual Role) | |
| 1986 | Jeeva | Jeevan Thakur / Daku Jeeva | |
| 1987 | Imaandaar | Rajesh “Raju” | |
| 1987 | Naam O Nishan | Inspector Suraj Singh | |
| 1987 | Inaam Dus Hazaar | ||
| 1987 | Jeete Hain Shaan Se | Govinda | |
| 1988 | Mardon Wali Baat | Tinku | |
| 1988 | Mohabbat Ke Dushman | Hashim | |
| 1988 | Khatron Ke Khiladi | Rajesh | |
| 1988 | Kabzaa | ||
| 1989 | Do Qaidi | Manu | |
| 1989 | Ilaaka | Inspector Suraj Verma | |
| 1989 | Kanoon Apna Apna | ||
| 1989 | Taaqatwar | ||
| 1989 | Hum Bhi Insaan Hain | Bhola | |
| 1989 | Hathyar | Avinash | |
| 1990 | Zahreelay | ||
| 1990 | Kroadh | ||
| 1990 | Thanedaar | Brijesh Chander “Birju” | |
| 1990 | Tejaa | Tejaa / Sanjay | |
| 1990 | Khatarnaak | Suraj “Sunny” | |
| 1990 | Jeene Do | Karamveer | |
| 1991 | Yodha | Suraj Singh | |
| 1991 | Khoon Ka Karz | Arjun | |
| 1991 | Fateh | Karan | |
| 1991 | Do Matwale | Ajay | |
| 1991 | Qurbani Rang Layegi | ||
| 1991 | Saajan | Aman Verma (Poet Sagar) | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor |
| 1991 | Sadak | Ravi Kishore Verma | |
| 1992 | Adharm | ||
| 1992 | Sahebzaade | Raja | |
| 1992 | Sarphira | ||
| 1992 | Jeena Marna Tere Sang | Amar Khurana | |
| 1993 | Kshatriya | Vikram Singh | |
| 1993 | Sahibaan | Old Narrator | |
| 1993 | Khalnayak | ‘Ballu’ | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor |
| 1993 | Gumrah | Jaggu | |
| 1994 | Zamane Se Kya Darna | ||
| 1994 | Insaaf Apne Lahoo Se | Raju | |
| 1994 | Aatish: Feel the Fire | Baba | |
| 1994 | Amaanat | Vijay | |
| 1995 | Andolan | ||
| 1995 | Jai Vikraanta | ||
| 1996 | Vijeta | Ashok | |
| 1996 | Namak | Gopal | |
| 1997 | Sanam | Hero | |
| 1997 | Mahaanta | Sanjay Malhotra (Sanju) | |
| 1997 | Daud | Nandu | |
| 1998 | Dushman | ||
| 1999 | Daag: The Fire | ||
| 1999 | Kartoos | Raja | |
| 1999 | Safari | ||
| 1999 | Haseena Maan Jaayegi | Sonu | |
| 1999 | Vaastav: The Reality | Raghu Bhai | Filmfare Award for Best Actor |
| 1999 | Khoobsurat | Sanjay Shastri (Sanju) | |
| 2000 | Khauff | Anthony/Vicky/Babu | |
| 2000 | Baaghi | Raja | |
| 2000 | Chal Mere Bhai | ||
| 2000 | Jung | Balli | |
| 2000 | Mission Kashmir | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor | |
| 2000 | Kurukshetra | ||
| 2001 | Jodi No.1 | Jai | |
| 2002 | Pitaah | Rudra | |
| 2002 | Hum Kisise Kum Nahin | Munna Bhai | |
| 2002 | Hathyar | (Dual role) | Sequel to Vaastav: The Reality |
| 2002 | Annarth | Iqbal Danger | |
| 2002 | Kaante | Jay ‘Ajju’ Rehan | |
| 2003 | Ek Aur Ek Gyarah | Sitara | |
| 2003 | LOC Kargil | Y.K. Joshi | |
| 2003 | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. | Munna Bhai | Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role |
| 2004 | Plan | Mussabhai |
| Year | Film Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Parineeta | Girish Sharma | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2005 | Dus | Dan | |
| 2005 | Shabd | Shaukat Vashisht | |
| 2005 | Viruddh… Family Comes First | Amar Patwardhan | |
| 2005 | Shaadi No. 1 | Lukhwinder Singh | |
| 2006 | Zinda | Balajeet ‘Bala’ Roy | |
| 2006 | Tathastu | Ravi Rajput | |
| 2006 | Anthony Kaun Hai? | Master Madan / Champ | |
| 2006 | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | Munna Bhai | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Actor |
| 2007 | Eklavya: The Royal Guard | Pannalal Chohar | |
| 2007 | Nehlle Pe Dehlla | Johnny | |
| 2007 | Shootout at Lokhandwala | Shamsher S. Khan | |
| 2007 | Dhamaal | Kabir Nayak | |
| 2007 | Om Shanti Om | Himself | Special appearance in song “Deewangi Deewangi” |
| 2008 | Woodstock Villa | Mr. D | Special appearance |
| 2008 | Mehbooba | Shravan Dhariwal | |
| 2008 | Kidnap | Vikrant Raina | |
| 2008 | EMI | Sattar Bhai | |
| 2009 | Luck | Karim Moussa | |
| 2009 | Shortkut | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2009 | Blue | Captain Jagat Malhotra | |
| 2009 | All the Best: Fun Begins | Dharam Kapoor | |
| 2010 | Lamhaa | Vikram | |
| 2010 | Knock Out | Bachchu | |
| 2010 | No Problem | Marcos | |
| 2011 | Rascals | Chetan Chouhan | |
| 2011 | Double Dhamaal | Kabir Nayak | |
| 2012 | Agneepath | Kancha Cheena | Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2012 | Department | Mahadev Bhosale | |
| 2012 | Son of Sardaar | Billu Sher Singh | |
| 2012 | Joker | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2013 | Zila Ghaziabad | Satbir Gujjar | |
| 2013 | Policegiri | DCP Rudra Aditya Devraj | |
| 2014 | Ungli | Kaali | |
| 2014 | PK | Bhairon Singh | |
| 2017 | Bhoomi | Arun Sachdeva | |
| 2018 | Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 | Uday Pratap Singh | |
| 2019 | Kalank | Balraj Chaudhry | |
| 2019 | Prassthanam | Baldev Pratap Singh | Also producer |
| 2019 | Panipat | Ahmad Shah Abdali | |
| 2020 | Sadak 2 | Ravi Kishore Verma | |
| 2020 | Torbaaz | Naseer Ahmad | |
| 2021 | Bhuj: The Pride of India | Ranchordas Pagi | |
| 2022 | Toolsidas Junior | Mohammad Salaam | |
| 2022 | K.G.F: Chapter 2 | Adheera | Kannada film |
| 2022 | Samrat Prithviraj | Kaka Kanha | |
| 2022 | Shamshera | Shuddh Singh | |
| 2023 | Leo | Antony Das | Tamil film |
| 2024 | Ghudchadi | Veer Sharma | |
| 2024 | Double iSmart | Big Bull | Telugu film |
| 2025 | Baba | Baba | Completed |
| TBA | The Good Maharaja | Raja Chauhan | Punjabi film |
| TBA | KD – The Devil | Dhak Deva Agnihotri | Kannada film |
| TBA | Baap | Ballu Lal Rajput | Filming |
| TBA | Untitled film with Arshad Warsi | TBA | Filming |
AWARDS :
Filmfare Awards:
- Best Actor – Vaastav: The Reality (2000)
- Best Supporting Actor – Khalnayak (1993)
- Best Actor in a Comic Role – Munnabhai MBBS (2004)
- Filmfare Award for Best Actor (Critics) – Munnabhai MBBS (2004)
IIFA Awards (International Indian Film Academy Awards):
- Best Actor in a Leading Role – Munnabhai MBBS (2004)
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Kalnayak (1994)
- IIFA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema – (2004)
Screen Awards:
- Best Actor (Critics) – Vaastav: The Reality (2000)
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Khalnayak (1994)
- Best Actor in a Leading Role – Munnabhai MBBS (2004)
Zee Cine Awards:
- Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) – Munnabhai MBBS (2004)
- Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) – Kalnayak (1994)
Rajiv Gandhi Award for Excellence in Entertainment (2003)
Global Indian Film Award (GIFA):
- Best Actor in a Comic Role – Munnabhai MBBS (2004)
Other Notable Recognitions:
- National Film Award for Best Actor (Critics) – Vaastav: The Reality (2000)
- Life Membership of the International Film and Television Club of the Asian Academy of Film & Television (2004)
Awards for his Impact and Legacy:
Sanjay Dutt’s contribution to cinema has also been recognized through various honors related to his enduring legacy in Bollywood, including:
- Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – For his role in Khalnayak (1993).
- Stardust Award for his performance in Munnabhai MBBS and Lage Raho Munnabhai.
Family and Personal Life:
Sanjay Dutt’s personal life has been a topic of great public interest. He married his first wife, Richa Sharma, in 1987, but she passed away in 1996 after battling cancer. He later married Rhea Pillai, but the couple separated in the early 2000s. In 2008, Sanjay married his current wife, Manyata Dutt, with whom he has twins, a son named Shahraan and a daughter named Iqra.
Despite the ups and downs, Dutt has remained a beloved figure in Bollywood, known for his rugged persona, his vulnerability in portraying complex roles, and his ability to reinvent himself after numerous challenges.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
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