Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Dutt is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Sanjay Dutt began their career in 1988 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 38 years. With over 180 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.0, Sanjay Dutt remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Sanjay Dutt's influence on Tamil cinema is generational — their work continues to define the standard for the industry.
- Born
Biography
Sanjay Balraj Dutt is an Indian film actor, producer known for his work in Hindi cinema. He was briefly associated with politics. Dutt, son of film actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt, made his acting debut in 1981. Since then he has acted in some of the most popular Hindi language films. \r\n\r\nAlthough Dutt has enjoyed major success in movie genres ranging from romance to comedy, it has been the roles of gangsters, thugs and police officers in films that have won Dutt much adulation, with fans and Indian film critics alike referring to him as the \"Deadly Dutt,\" for his larger-than-life portrayals of such characters.\r\n\r\nDutt was arrested under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA) in April 1993, due to terrorist interactions, and illegal possession of a 9mm pistol and an AK-56 assault rifle. After spending 18 months in jail, he was granted bail in April 1995. In July 2007 he was sentenced to six years rigorous imprisonment. The Supreme Court of India, in a judgement on 21 March 2013, convicted Dutt of illegal possession of arms relating to the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and sentenced him to five years imprisonment.
Personal Info
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →50th film
View film →100th film
View film →Highest rated: P.K. (8.0)
View film →150th film
View film →Iconic Roles
Lage Raho Munna Bhai
A lovable gangster who popularizes 'Gandhigiri' (the principles of Mahatma Gandhi) to solve problems.
Vaastav: The Reality
A common man whose life spirals into the Mumbai underworld, a role for which he won major awards.
P.K.
A kind-hearted Rajasthani man who helps an alien (PK) on his journey.
Defining Moments
Acting Debut
Made his highly anticipated debut in the film 'Rocky', launching his career in Bollywood.
Critical Acclaim
Delivered a career-best performance in 'Vaastav: The Reality', winning the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
Cultural Phenomenon
Starred in the blockbuster 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai', which popularized 'Gandhigiri' and became a major cultural hit.
Biographical Portrayal
His tumultuous life story was depicted in the blockbuster biographical film 'Sanju', starring Ranbir Kapoor.
Filmography
See all 180 credits →
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
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Did You Know?
Sanjay Dutt is the son of legendary Bollywood actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt.
He made his acting debut in the 1981 film 'Rocky', directed by his father Sunil Dutt.
He won a Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his performance in 'Vaastav: The Reality' (1999).
He served a prison sentence from 2013 to 2016 in connection with the 1993 Bombay bombings case.
His life story was the subject of the 2018 biographical film 'Sanju', where he was portrayed by Ranbir Kapoor.
Signature Dialogues
Mujhe gussa bahut aata hai... lekin main gusse ko control karna seekh gaya hoon.
Raghu·Vaastav: The Reality
Gandhigiri karne ka time aa gaya hai!
Munna Bhai·Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Photos
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News & Stories
Sanjay Dutt's Stylish Avatar in Double Ismart First Look Poster Stuns Fans
31/7/2023
The Good Maharaja on hold after Sanjay Dutt's exit
9/11/2017
Sanjay Dutt appears in his own bio pic
20/10/2017
Updates on Sanjay Dutt's Munnabhai 3
6/10/2016
Details on Sanjay Dutt’s comeback film
4/7/2016
Legacy & Influence
Sanjay Dutt's career in Indian cinema is a sprawling narrative of resilience, reinvention, and enduring stardom. Emerging as a romantic lead in the 1980s, his early career was marked by personal struggles, yet he found his true cinematic calling in the action and gangster genres. His portrayal of the conflicted gangster Raghu in 'Vaastav: The Reality' (1999) was a watershed moment, earning him a Filmfare Award for Best Actor and cementing his image as a performer capable of raw, intense vulnerability. This role redefined the Hindi film anti-hero and established a blueprint for gritty, character-driven crime dramas. Dutt's career underwent another major transformation with the 'Munna Bhai' series, where his portrayal of the lovable gangster with a golden heart, Murli Prasad Sharma, showcased his exceptional comic timing and warmth, creating one of Indian cinema's most beloved characters. The films' messages of Gandhian philosophy ('Gandhigiri') had a significant cultural impact, sparking public discourse. His later career is characterized by versatile supporting and antagonist roles in major blockbusters like the 'Munnabhai' films, 'P.K.', 'Agneepath' (2012), and 'Jawan', where his formidable screen presence adds gravitas. Despite a life marked by highly publicized personal and legal challenges, his professional journey reflects an extraordinary ability to connect with audiences across generations. His contribution lies in his unique persona—a blend of toughness and tenderness—that has allowed him to navigate diverse genres, from intense dramas to comedies and large-scale action films, maintaining his position as a pivotal figure in mainstream Hindi cinema for over four decades.