Sanjay Balraj Dutt is one of Indian cinema’s most recognizable faces. His life reads like a film script: a star kid who rose, fell, fought public battles and staged comebacks
He is known for his raw energy on screen, his gift for playing both villain and hero, and a private life that often made headlines.
Over four decades he has moved from the earnest young lead to an iconic character actor whose name alone draws audiences to theatres.
This biography traces his early life, career arc, legal battles, health struggles, and lasting legacy.
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Table of Contents
Sanjay Dutt’s Biography
Early Life and Family Background
Sanjay Dutt was born on 29 July 1959 into a film family. His father, Sunil Dutt, was a celebrated actor and later a politician.
His mother, Nargis, was one of Indian cinema’s finest actresses. Growing up in Mumbai, Sanjay had an early exposure to films and the public life that comes with acting families.
From the start, he was in the spotlight a privilege that has shaped both opportunities and pressures throughout his life.1
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Releasing in… pic.twitter.com/wCrmBDKAhv
— Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay) September 4, 2025
Stats Table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Sanjay Balraj Dutt |
| Born | 29 July 1959, Bombay (now Mumbai), India. |
| Parents | Sunil Dutt (father), Nargis (mother). |
| Debut | Rocky (1981), directed by his father. |
| Years active | 1981 — present. |
| Films (approx.) | 135+ films across Hindi and a few South Indian languages. |
| Notable roles | Khalnayak, Vaastav, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., Lage Raho Munna Bhai, KGF: Chapter 2. |
| Awards | Multiple awards including Filmfare wins and nominations; several national and popular awards across his career. |
| Major controversies | Arrest and conviction linked to the 1993 Bombay bombings arms case; later prison sentence upheld by courts. |
| Health | Diagnosed with lung cancer during the COVID-19 lockdown; underwent treatment and publicly declared cancer-free later. |
| Spouse | Richa Sharma (m.1987–1996), Rhea Pillai (m.1998–2008), Maanayata Dutt (m.2008–present). |
Sanjay Dutt’s Beginnings in Film
Sanjay made his screen debut in Rocky (1981), a film directed by his father. The film gave him instant visibility but his early years were uneven.
Through the 1980s he moved between hits and misses. The crime drama Naam (1986) became a turning point and established him as a serious performer.
From that point his career gathered momentum, with commercial successes and memorable turns that showcased his range.
The nineties and the making of an on-screen antihero
The 1990s were pivotal. Sanjay delivered powerful performances in films that leaned into gritty, masculine roles.
Khalnayak made him the face of the brooding antihero, while Vaastav: The Reality showed his ability to go deep, playing characters shaped by crime and fate.
Those films etched him in the public imagination as an actor who could carry intensity with authenticity.
Reinvention: The Munna Bhai Era and Wider Acceptance
In the early 2000s Sanjay surprised audiences by shifting tone. The Munna Bhai films gave him a softer, comic edge while retaining emotional heft.
Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Lage Raho Munna Bhai broadened his appeal and introduced him to a new generation.
Those films also showed that reinvention was among his strengths—he could move from menacing roles to warm, funny characters without losing credibility.
Recent Work and Pan-Indian Projects
In recent years Sanjay has taken part in big, pan-Indian productions and several high-visibility projects.
He made a dramatic splash in KGF: Chapter 2, playing a fearsome antagonist in a Kannada blockbuster that reached beyond regional borders.
He has also continued to sign a mix of commercial entertainers and character roles, keeping him in the public eye and on major film slates.
Industry coverage and film trackers list several projects around 2024–2025, showing he remains busy with multiple releases and collaborations.
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Legal Controversies: The 1993 Case and Its Consequences
Sanjay Dutt’s legal troubles are among the most discussed chapters of his life. In the aftermath of the 1993 Bombay bombings, he was arrested for possession of illegal arms that connected to the larger investigation.
His case moved through years of hearings, appeals and media scrutiny. In 2013 the Supreme Court upheld aspects of the conviction and his sentence was reduced to five years.
The saga affected his career and public image for decades. These events are well-documented in court records and major news outlets.
Personal Life: Relationships, Fatherhood and Family Resilience
Sanjay’s personal life has been in the headlines almost as often as his movies.
He married Richa Sharma in 1987; she died in 1996. He later married Rhea Pillai; that union ended in divorce.
In 2008 he married Maanayata Dutt, and they have built a family life that many fans see as stabilizing.
Sanjay is also a father to Trishala, his daughter from an earlier relationship, and he has been open about the role his family has played in his recovery from hard times.
Cancer Diagnosis and Recovery
In 2020, during the COVID lockdown, Sanjay experienced breathlessness and underwent tests that led to a lung cancer diagnosis.
He has openly discussed the emotional impact of the news and the fear it brought him. With treatment and a focus on fitness and mental resilience, he reported making a strong recovery and later announced he was cancer-free.
His experience made headlines and also became part of his public narrative of survival and reinvention.2
Notable Performances
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Rocky (1981) — a debut that introduced him as a star kid with raw potential.
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Naam (1986) — an early dramatic turn that earned critical notice.
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Khalnayak (1993) — consolidated his place as a bankable lead in darker roles.
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Vaastav: The Reality (1999) — often cited as his best performance for its emotional depth.
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Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. & Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2003–2006) — broadened his fan base and showed his comic timing and warmth.
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KGF: Chapter 2 (2022) — a modern, pan-Indian hit that reintroduced him to a new audience as a menacing antagonist.
Awards and Honours
Across a long career, Sanjay Dutt has won a number of awards, including Filmfare and other industry honors.
His work in both mainstream commercial cinema and critically acclaimed films has been recognized repeatedly.
For a complete list of awards, consult compiled award lists which include Filmfare, IIFA, Screen, Stardust, Zee Cine and others.
Box Office and Commercial Weight
Sanjay’s films have ranged from modest hits to major blockbusters. He has headlined commercial entertainers that performed well at the box office and also been part of ensemble films with strong collections.
In the streaming era and pan-Indian market, his association with larger franchises has amplified his commercial reach. Recent sources report him in multiple 2024–25 projects that aim for broad releases.
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FAQ’s
Q: When and where was Sanjay Dutt born?
A: He was born on 29 July 1959 in Bombay, India.
Q: How many films has Sanjay Dutt acted in?
A: Across Hindi cinema and a few regional films, he has appeared in more than 135 films. Filmographies list the count differently depending on cameo roles and regional projects, but 135+ is a commonly cited approximation.3
Q: What was the 1993 controversy about?
A: After the 1993 Bombay bombings, Sanjay was arrested for possession of illegal weapons that linked to the wider investigation. Over the next two decades the case moved through trials and appeals, and the Supreme Court upheld aspects of the conviction with a reduced sentence. The case had a major impact on his life and career. 4
Q: Is Sanjay Dutt cancer-free now?
A: Sanjay was diagnosed with lung cancer during the COVID-19 lockdown period and underwent treatment.
He later publicly stated that he had recovered and was cancer-free. He has discussed the emotional toll the diagnosis took on him and how he focused on fitness during recovery.
Q: What are some must-watch Sanjay Dutt films?
A: For new viewers: Rocky (debut), Naam (dramatic breakthrough), Vaastav (best dramatic work), Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. and Lage Raho Munna Bhai (comic and emotional range), and KGF: Chapter 2 (recent pan-Indian hit).
Q: Has he won major awards?
A: Yes. He has won multiple industry awards and received several Filmfare nominations and wins among other accolades. See award compilations for details.
Q: Who is his current spouse and family?
A: He is married to Maanayata Dutt since 2008. He is also father to Trishala Dutt. His earlier marriages were to Richa Sharma and Rhea Pillai.
Final Thoughts
Sanjay Dutt is a star who has lived many lives in one. He has been a leading man, a villain, a comic hero, a defendant, a patient and a survivor.
He is messy, brave, flawed and capable of surprising reinvention. For fans and critics, his story is both cautionary and inspiring. Watching his career is a lesson in longevity and in the power of public redemption.
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