Sanjay Dutt
| |
| Sanjay Dutt | |
| Born | 29 July 1959 (age 66) Bombay, Bombay State (present-day Mumbai), Maharashtra, India |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | The Lawrence School, Sanawar |
| Alma mater | Elphinstone College, Mumbai |
| Occupation | Actor, playback singer, film producer |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Known for | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munna Bhai, Vaastav, Khalnayak, Agneepath |
| Notable works | Full list |
| Awards | |
| Spouse(s) | Richa Sharma (m. 1987; died 1996), Rhea Pillai (m. 1998; div. 2008), Manyata Dutt (m. 2008) |
| Parents | Sunil Dutt (father),
Nargis Dutt (mother) |
| Religion | |
| Website | |
Sanjay Balraj Dutt is an Indian actor, playback singer, and film producer known for his work in Hindi cinema, along with several Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Punjabi films. He has acted in over 160 movies and is celebrated for portraying both heroic and anti-heroic characters. Over the years, he has received major honours including two Filmfare Awards and three Screen Awards.
Born to legendary actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis, he made his acting debut with Rocky (1981). Dutt gained prominence with films like Saajan, Sadak, Khalnayak, Vaastav, and the popular Munna Bhai series. He continued his success with major hits such as Mission Kashmir, Kaante, Agneepath, PK, K.G.F: Chapter 2, and Leo. He is also part of upcoming notable projects including Baaghi 4 and Dhurandhar.
His life has attracted significant media attention, and a successful biopic based on him, Sanju, was released in 2018.
Early Life & Education
Sanjay Dutt was born on 29 July 1959 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra. His father was Sunil Dutt and mother Nargis Dutt. He grew up in a well-known film family along with his sisters Priya and Namrata Dutt. He studied at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, and later attended Elphinstone College in Mumbai.
Sanjay’s family background was culturally diverse—his father was Hindu, and his mother was Muslim. His ancestral roots trace back to the Rawalpindi region (present-day Pakistan). He is also the maternal grandson of the noted music composer Jaddanbai.
He made his first on-screen appearance as a child artist in Reshma Aur Shera (1971). The passing of his mother shortly before his debut film Rocky (1981) had a deep impact on him and is often linked to the beginning of his struggles with drug abuse.
Career
Early Breakthrough (1981–1989)
Sanjay Dutt made his Bollywood debut with Rocky (1981). He gained early success with Vidhaata (1982), followed by several films through the 1980s. His major turning point came with Naam (1986), which earned him strong critical and commercial appreciation.
Growing Popularity (1990–1993)
During the early 1990s, Dutt delivered many hit films like Sadak, Saajan, and Khalnayak. These movies established him as one of the leading stars of the decade and earned him several Best Actor nominations.
Legal Troubles & Comeback (1993–1998)
In 1993, Dutt was arrested under the TADA Act due to possession of illegal weapons linked to the Bombay bombings. After multiple court cases and bail periods, he returned to films with Daud (1997) and Dushman (1998), slowly rebuilding his career.
Major Comeback & Success (1999–2002)
The year 1999 marked a big comeback for Dutt with five hit releases, including Haseena Maan Jaayegi, Daag: The Fire, and Vaastav, which won him his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor. In the following years, he continued delivering successful films like Mission Kashmir, Jodi No.1, and Kaante.
Munna Bhai Era & Strong Roles (2003–2014)
Dutt received massive acclaim for Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003) and later Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006). These films revived his popularity and cemented his image as a beloved on-screen character. He acted in several successful movies in this period, including Dus, Shootout at Lokhandwala, Dhamaal, and Agneepath.
South Indian Films & New Phase (2016–present)
He expanded into South Indian cinema, playing the villain Adheera in K.G.F: Chapter 2 (2022) and Antony Das in Leo (2023). Both films were major hits. He also appeared in OTT releases, produced films, and continued working in Bollywood with projects like Sadak 2, Toolsidas Junior, Ghudchadi, Housefull 5, Baaghi 4 and Dhurandhar.
Dutt is currently working on upcoming projects including Dhurandhar, Baap, KD – The Devil, The Virgin Tree, and the international film The Good Maharaja.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Reshma Aur Shera | Qawwali singer | Child artist |
| 1981 | Rocky | Rakesh / Rocky D'Souza "Rocky" | Acting debut |
| 1982 | Johny I Love You | Raju Singh / Johny | |
| 1982 | Vidhaata | Kunal Singh | |
| 1983 | Main Awara Hoon | Sanjeev "Sanju" Kumar | |
| 1983 | Bekaraar | Shyam | |
| 1984 | Zameen Aasmaan | Sanjay | |
| 1984 | Mera Faisla | Raj Saxena | |
| 1985 | Do Dilon Ki Dastaan | Vijay Kumar Saxena | |
| 1985 | Jaan Ki Baazi | Inspector Amar / Laxman | |
| 1986 | Naam | Vicky Kapoor | |
| 1986 | Mera Haque | Amar Singh / Amru Dada | |
| 1986 | Jeeva | Jeevan Thakur | |
| 1987 | Imaandaar | Rajesh "Raju" | |
| 1987 | Naam O Nishan | Inspector Suraj Singh | |
| 1987 | Inaam Dus Hazaar | Kamal Malhotra / Ashok Saxena | |
| 1987 | Jeete Hain Shaan Se | Govinda Verma | |
| 1988 | Mardon Wali Baat | Tinku | |
| 1988 | Mohabbat Ke Dushman | Hashim | |
| 1988 | Khatron Ke Khiladi | Rajesh | |
| 1988 | Kabzaa | Ravi Varma | |
| 1989 | Do Qaidi | Manu | |
| 1989 | Ilaaka | Inspector Suraj Verma | |
| 1989 | Kanoon Apna Apna | Ravi Kumar Singh | |
| 1989 | Taaqatwar | Amar Sharma | |
| 1989 | Hum Bhi Insaan Hain | Bhola | |
| 1989 | Hathyar | Avinash | |
| 1990 | Zahreelay | Rakesh "Raka" Rai | |
| 1990 | Kroadh | Vijay "Vijju" V. Shukla | |
| 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 | Raj Kishen | |
| 1991 | Saajan | Aman Verma (Poet Sagar) | |
| 1991 | Sadak | Ravi Kishore Verma | |
| 1992 | Adharm | Vicky Verma | |
| 1992 | Sahebzaade | Raja | |
| 1992 | Sarphira | Suresh Sinha | |
| 1992 | Jeena Marna Tere Sang | Amar Khurana | |
| 1993 | Kshatriya | Vikram Singh | |
| 1993 | Sahibaan | Kunwar Vijay Pal Singh | |
| 1993 | Khalnayak | Balaram Rakesh Prasad "Ballu" | |
| 1993 | Gumrah | Jagan Nath "Jaggu" | |
| 1994 | Zamane Se Kya Darna | Vikram "Vicky" Singh | |
| 1994 | Insaaf Apne Lahoo Se | Raju | |
| 1994 | Aatish: Feel the Fire | Baba | |
| 1994 | Amaanat | Vijay | |
| 1995 | Andolan | Adarsh Pradhan | |
| 1995 | Jai Vikraanta | Vikraanta Singh | |
| 1996 | Vijeta | Ashok | |
| 1996 | Namak | Gopal | |
| 1997 | Sanam | Narendra Anand | |
| 1997 | Mahaanta | Sanjay Malhotra | |
| 1997 | Daud | Nandu | |
| 1998 | Dushman | Suraj Singh Rathod | |
| 1999 | Daag: The Fire | Karan Singh | |
| 1999 | Kartoos | Raja / Jeet Balraj | |
| 1999 | Safari | Kishan "Captain" Khanna | |
| 1999 | Haseena Maan Jaayegi | Sonu | |
| 1999 | Vaastav: The Reality | Raghunath Namdev Shivalkar | |
| 1999 | Khoobsurat | Sanjay Shastri | |
| 2000 | Khauff | Anthony / Vicky / Babu | |
| 2000 | Baaghi | Raja | |
| 2000 | Chal Mere Bhai | Vicky Oberoi | |
| 2000 | Jung | Balli | |
| 2000 | Mission Kashmir | SSP Inayat Khan | |
| 2000 | Kurukshetra | ACP Prithviraj Singh | |
| 2001 | Jodi No. 1 | Jai | |
| 2002 | Pitaah | Rudra | |
| 2002 | Hum Kisise Kum Nahin | Munna Bhai | |
| 2002 | Hathyar | Rohit / Raghunath Shivalkar | Sequel to Vaastav |
| 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. | Murli Prasad Sharma (Munna Bhai) | |
| 2004 | Plan | Mussabhai | |
| 2004 | Rudraksh | Varun Deshmukh | |
| 2004 | Deewaar | Khan | |
| 2004 | Musafir | Billa | |
| 2005 | Shabd | Shaukat Vashisht | |
| 2005 | Tango Charlie | Vikram Rathore | |
| 2005 | Parineeta | Girish Sharma | |
| 2005 | Dus | Siddhant Dheer | |
| 2005 | Viruddh | Ali Asgar | |
| 2005 | Shaadi No.1 | Lucky Singh | |
| 2005 | Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! | Yamaraj / Himself | |
| 2006 | Tathastu | Ravi Rajput | |
| 2006 | Zinda | Bala Roy | |
| 2006 | Anthony Kaun Hai | Master Madan | |
| 2006 | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | Munna Bhai | |
| 2006 | Sarhad Paar | Ranjeet Singh | |
| 2007 | Eklavya | Pannalal Chohar | |
| 2007 | Nehlle Pe Dehlla | Johnny | |
| 2007 | Shootout at Lokhandwala | ACP Shamsher Khan | |
| 2007 | Dhamaal | Kabir Nayak | |
| 2007 | Dus Kahaniyan | Baba Hyderabadi | |
| 2008 | Mehbooba | Shravan | |
| 2008 | Kidnap | Vikrant Raina | |
| 2008 | EMI | Sattarbhai | |
| 2009 | Luck | Karim Musa | |
| 2009 | Blue | Sagar Singh | |
| 2009 | All the Best | Dharam Kapoor | |
| 2009 | Aladin | Ring Master | |
| 2010 | Lamhaa | Vikram / Gul | |
| 2010 | Knock Out | Veer Vijay Singh | |
| 2010 | Tees Maar Khan | Narrator | |
| 2010 | No Problem | Yash Ambani | |
| 2010 | Toonpur Ka Super Hero | Narrator | |
| 2011 | Double Dhamaal | Kabir Nayak | |
| 2011 | Chatur Singh Two Star | Chatur Singh | |
| 2011 | Rascals | Chetan Chauhan | |
| 2012 | Agneepath | Kancha Cheena | |
| 2012 | Department | Mahadev Bhonsle | |
| 2012 | Son of Sardaar | Billu | |
| 2013 | Zila Ghaziabad | Thakur Pritam Singh | |
| 2013 | Policegiri | Rudra | |
| 2013 | Zanjeer | Sher Khan | |
| 2014 | Ungli | ACP Ashok Kale | |
| 2014 | PK | Bhairon Singh | |
| 2017 | Bhoomi | Arun Sachdeva | |
| 2018 | Sanju | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2018 | Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 | Uday Pratap Singh | |
| 2019 | Kalank | Balraj Chaudhry | |
| 2019 | Prassthanam | Baldev 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 | Daroga Shuddh Singh | |
| 2023 | Jawan | STF Officer Madhavan Naik | |
| 2023 | Leo | Antony Das | Tamil film |
| 2024 | Ghudchadi | Veer Sharma | |
| 2024 | Double iSmart | Big Bull | Telugu film |
| 2025 | The Bhootnii | Baba | |
| 2025 | Housefull 5 | Chief Inspector Bhidu | |
| 2025 | Baaghi 4 | Chacko | |
| 2025 | Dhurandhar | TBA | • Unreleased |
| 2025 | Akhanda 2 | TBA | Telugu film • Unreleased |
| 2026 | The RajaSaab | TBA | Telugu film • Unreleased |
| TBA | KD: The Devil | Dhak Deva | Kannada film • Unreleased |
| TBA | Baap | TBA | • Unreleased |
Legacy
Sanjay Dutt is regarded as one of the most popular and influential actors in Indian cinema. Known for his versatility, unique style, and intense screen presence, he became famous for playing complex and flawed hero characters.
In 2022, he was also featured in Outlook India’s list of the “75 Best Bollywood Actors.”
Notable Works
Sanjay Dutt is known for several memorable roles across his career. He gained early success with Rocky and made a strong impact with Naam. His performances in Saajan and Khalnayak made him one of the top stars of the 1990s. Vaastav became one of his biggest hits and earned him major awards. He won hearts again with Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and its sequel Lage Raho Munna Bhai, which became iconic films. He also impressed audiences with strong roles in Mission Kashmir, Kaante, Parineeta, Agneepath, PK, and many more, cementing his place as one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors.
Achievements and Recognition
Awards
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Best Actor | Vaastav: The Reality | Won |
| 2004 | Best Comedian | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. | Won |
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Best Actor | Vaastav: The Reality | Won |
| 2001 | Best Supporting Actor | Mission Kashmir | Won |
| 2007 | Best Actor (Critics) | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | Won |
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Best Actor | Vaastav: The Reality | Won |
| 2010 | Best Performance in a Comic Role | All the Best | Won |
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Best Actor (Male) – Critics | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | Won |
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Star of the Year Award – Male | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. | Won |
| 2007 | Stardust Award | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | Won |
| 2013 | Best Actor in a Negative Role | Agneepath | Won |
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Zee Premiere Choice – Male | Mission Kashmir | Won |
| 2007 | Best Actor (Male) – Critics | Lage Raho Munna Bhai | Won |
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Best Actor (Male) – Critics | Kaante | Won |
| 2004 | Most Sensational Actor | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. | Won |
| Year | Category | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Best Actor | Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. | Won |
| Year | Category | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Celebrity Style Male | Won | Bollywood Fashion Awards |
| 2008 | AXN Best Action Actor | Won |
External Links
See also
- Baaghi 4
- Dhurandhar
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