Born today, on July 29, to superstars Nargis and Sunil Dutt, Sanjay Dutt grew up living a life of luxuries. But the ‘Bad Boy’ of Bollywood had his fair share of controversies, from indulging in drugs to breaking the hearts of women to being behind bars. Sanjay’s story reflects his journey from facing challenges to attempting redemption. On his birthday, let’s have a look at his journey so far.
Even before marking his presence in films, Dutt was well-known in the film industry. His debut film, Rocky, made him a national heartthrob among girls. However, the making and promotion of this film weren’t easy, since the actor and the nation lost a star—his mother, Nargis—which left him emotionally affected. Dutt was closer to his mother; her sudden demise before his career started left him heartbroken.
During the initial years of his career, Dutt was involved in drugs. This was the most troubling phase of his life, and after years of battling with the addiction, he finally ended it after taking therapy in a rehabilitation center in the United States. He made his grand re-entry in the 1990s after successfully recovering, though there were still many challenges ahead.
It wasn’t easy for Dutt to re-establish himself in the industry. Many newcomers had taken and made a special place in the hearts of fans. Though immensely loved by his fans, Sanjay Dutt’s image had been shaken. But a big thanks to the great stories that came his way. The talented actor paved a way for himself with films like Saajan, Khalnayak, Vaastav, and others. These movies were applauded by the audience as well as critics. The actor was rising again, but troubles didn’t want to leave his side easily.
In 1993, Sanjay Dutt’s life turned upside down. He was once again in trouble, and this time, it was a bigger one. Sanjay was arrested by the police under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) linked to the 1993 Bombay bomb blasts. He was accused of possessing illegal weapons, which sent him behind bars for 5 years. This case went on for decades and eventually affected his personal life as well as his professional image. It was said he was in a relationship with a popular actress at that time, and their relationship ended with this sentence. On the work front too, he had to lose many projects that went on to become huge successes in the future.
But destiny had its plans written for Dutt. He made a comeback with his all-time hits, the Munna Bhai series. Both the films made him the audience’s favorite. He went on to do other films as well. Though a lot of them didn’t work at the box office, the actor received praise for his portrayal.
Life came full circle when his friend and filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani made a biopic on his life. It starred actor Ranbir Kapoor, and the film was titled Sanju. The film became a huge box office success and showcased the controversial life of Dutt to the public, revealing details from his life.
His personal life has been a topic of discussion too, with the actor having numerous relationships and three marriages. Dutt is now happily married to Maanayata and has three kids: one daughter and twin siblings. He is living a peaceful life and actively working in films, showing his abilities.
Sanjay Dutt’s life has been full of ups and downs. Despite all the things, he never let go of one thing: his desire to live life and live it fully with his loved ones. His story celebrates redemption and how one can overcome obstacles in life. So, on his special day, we wish him a happy birthday!