Sunjay Dutt Biography

BIOGRAPHY.

Early days

Sanjay Dutt was born to one of Bollywood’s most wellknown star couples, Nargis Dutt and Sunil Dutt. He has two sisters, Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt. He was educated at the Lawrence School Sanawar. At the age of 12 he made his first film appearance in his father’s film Reshma Aur Shera where he had a small role as a qawali singer.

While he was still in high school, Sanjay Dutt became a drug addict, probably as he was unable to handle the pressure of being the child of two celebrities.[2] His drug problems worsened his mother’s health, who was already diagnosed with cancer. Nargis Dutt died a few weeks before Sanjay Dutt’s first film, Rocky, was to be released. A heartbroken Dutt took to doing more drugs. His father sent him to a rehab center in Miami. After attending a rehabilitation program in the United States, a sober Dutt started working in films again.

Rise as a notable actor

Sanjay Dutt acted in several successful films in the 1980s, including Vidhaata (1982), Naam (1986), and Hathyar (1989). He was reportedly director Subhash Ghai’s first choice to play the lead in Hero (1983), but after witnessing Sanjay Dutt in his drug phase during the shooting of Vidhaata, Ghai picked Jackie Shroff in his place. Sanjay Dutt married Richa Sharma in 1987 (a smalltime actress discovered by Dev Anand) who had nursed him back from a lung injury. A year later, the couple had a baby girl, Trishala. Just two months after Trishala’s birth, Risha was diagnosed with cancer and the couple separated. Richa moved to United States with her daughter to live with her parents while Dutt pursued his career in Bollywood. After his wife succumbed to brain tumor in 1996, a bitter custody battle between Dutt and his inlaws over the custody of his only daughter ensued, which Dutt lost. Sanjay Dutt’s sister, Namrata, married actor Kumar Gaurav, the son of yesteryears Bollywood star Rajendra Kumar.

Sanjay Dutt resurrected his cinema career with movies like Sadak (1991) and Saajan (1991). He received his first Filmfare nomination for the best actor in a lead role, for the film Saajan. His breakthrough role came in Subhash Ghai’s Khalnayak (1993), which became a huge hit and gave his career a boost. He received a filmfare nomination for the film.

Arrest in 1993

The release of Khalnayak (1993) happened to coincide with Sanjay Dutt’s arrest in connection with the 1993 Mumbai Bombings. He was convicted of illegal possession of arms and ammunition, which were allegedly part of the consignment used in the bombings. According to the CBI case filed in a TADA court, it was alleged that the gangster Abu Salem and his men went to Dutt’s house on 16 January 1993 and gave him three AK56 rifles, 25 hand grenades, one 9 mm pistol and cartridges. He returned two AK56 rifles, hand grenades and cartridges to Hanif Kadawala and Samir Hingora but kept one AK56 rifle with himself. The rifle and cartridges allegedly formed part of the consignment, which was smuggled into India at Dighi Port on 9 January 1993.

On learning that Mumbai police were looking to question Sanjay Dutt, his father asked him to immediately return from Mauritius, where he was shooting for a film. On learning of Mumbai Police’s investigation about his involvement in the blasts, Dutt instructed his friends to destroy the rifle. The rifle was destroyed by Yusuf Nullawalla, Kersi Adjenia, Rusi Mulla and Ajay Marwah in accordance with Dutt’s request. Dutt then called the then Mumbai Police Commissioner of Police and informed him of his plans to return to India immediately, where he was arrested upon landing.

Sanjay Dutt acknowledged that he personally knew the other accused, but denied the charges that he was involved with the larger conspiracy. He was arrested on 19 April 1993 (about a month after the blasts) and spent more than 18 months in Arthur Road Jail in Mumbai, before being released on bail.[2] During this time, he received considerable support from the Indian Film Industry, as well as his fans.[3][4]

After release in 1995

Once he was released from jail, Sanjay Dutt married Rhea Pillai. In 2001, he was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate about alleged hawala deals in connection with the probe into the underworldBollywood nexus.[5] No charges were filed in this case. Also in 2001, an audiotape, allegedly containing a phone conversation between Sanjay Dutt and gangster Chhota Shakeel, surfaced in media. In the conversation, Dutt allegedly complained about his fellow actor Govinda coming late to the sets, among other things.[2]

Dutt won himself a fan following with a variety of roles, including gangster and comic roles. He was noted for his performances in several films including Vaastav (1999), Mission Kashmir (2000), Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003). He also set up a production company with director Sanjay Gupta. The company, called White Feather Films, produced several films, including Kaante (2002), Musafir (2004) Zinda (2005) and Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007).

Sanjay Dutt and Rhea Pillai divorced in 2005, after spending the last few years of their marriage apart. Rhea later married tennis player Leander Paes. Sanjay Dutt’s father, Sunil Dutt, an active politician, also died in May 2005.[6]. Sanjay Dutt’s sister, Priya Dutt, contested and won the election for her father’s constituency and became a Member of Parliament.

Lage Raho Munnabhai (2006) earned Sanjay Dutt rave reviews. His latest release, Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007), also did well.

2006 court verdict

On 28 November 2006, a special TADA court found actor Sanjay Dutt guilty under the Arms Act of possessing an illegal weapon. He was cleared, however, of the charges of terrorism and conspiracy. Judge P D Kode said of the ruling in the open court, “During my reasoning I have not found him (Sanjay) to be a terrorist.” Dutt’s bail has been extended a number of times since the ruling and is still in progress.[7] While Sanjay was cleared of terrorism charges namely the TADA Act, one of his friends who transported the AK56 guns for Sanjay namely Baba Chouhan was found guilty under TADA Act.[8]

2007 arrest

In January 2007, a person by the name of Abhimanyu Altekar filed an Intervener’s Application, which opposed Sanjay Dutt’s release in the 1993 bombings case.[9] In his application to the court, Altekar argued that there was a great deal of contrast between how a court treated Sanjay Dutt’s case and how a court treated a case in which Altekar himself was involved as an accused. In Altekar’s case, he had been acquitted by a sessions court, 16 years after he was arrested in a false case of planting a bomb outside the house of an Marathi daily editor in 1990. Altekar compared this treatment with Sanjay Dutt’s case and noted that one of the grounds of Dutt’s application for seeking time to surrender was that he was the only earning member of the family and also that Sanjay Dutt was on bail for more than 12 years earning enough to make provisions for his family in case of a jail sentence. Altekar also argued that Dutt was mature enough at the time of buying illegal weapons, and did not deserve a reduced jail term. Though the intervener application filed by Altekar was eventually rejected by the court, it nevertheless raised doubt against of prosecution, the State Government of Maharashtra and the Indian Judiciary.

Sanjay Dutt was sentenced to 6 years rigorous imprisonment on 31 July 2007 by judge P.D.Kode.[10] His aide Rusi Mulla, however, was awarded probation and is under observation for one year. The media reported that Sanjay Dutt’s arrest put Rs. 1.5 billion of Bollywood business at stake. Sanjay Dutt was also fined Rs. 25,000 and his probation plea was rejected. The actor, who had hoped to be freed under the Probation of Offenders Act, said with folded hands: “Sir, I made a mistake 14 years ago. Please give me some time to surrender.” But the judge rejected the plea. “Act till the age of 100, I have only taken away six years,” the judge said, even adding that he had liked the actor’s performances in films. Sanjay Dutt’s lawyer, Mr Satish Maneshinde, said the actor would appeal against his sentence in the Supreme Court. “We will appeal against the order in the Supreme Court. He has accepted it with a heavy heart,”[11]

A petition seeking bail and challening the actor’s conviction was filed on August 7, 2007 by Satish Maneshinde, Dutt’s lawyer. The Lawyer’s contention is that Dutt cannot be convicted under the Arms Act because no arms are recovered from him. The Supreme Court accepted the the bail petition on August 10, 2007[12], issued notices to the CBI and deferred the hearing to August 20, 2007.[13]

Yerwada Jail

On August 2, 2007, Sanjay Dutt was shifted from Arthur Road jail in Mumbai to the Yerwada Jail in Pune.[14] Some journalists have noted that in 1922, Mahatma Gandhi was also sent to Yerwada Jail (in reference to Dutt’s role as Munna Bhai in Lage Raho Munna Bhai which led to the popularization of the term Gandhigiri in India ) .[15] Since 2002, Yerwada jail has conducted a ‘Gandhi Darshan’ course in “Gandhian principles” which ends with the ‘Gandhi Vichar Pariksha’ exam. Dutt has agreed to take the course and the exam according to the director of the program, Asim Sarode. [16], [17]

Awards and nominations

Main article: List of Sanjay Dutt’s awards and nominations

Filmography Released

· Reshma Aur Shera (1971) … Qawalli singer (child artist)

· Rocky (1981) … Rakesh/Rocky

· Vidhaata (1982) … Kunal Singh

· Johnny I Love You (1982)

· Main Awara Hoon (1983)

· Bekaraar (1983) … Shyam

· Mera Faisla (1984) … Raj Saxena

· Zameen Aasmaan (1984)

· Jaan Ki Baazi (1985)

· Do Dilon Ki Dastaan (1985) … Vijay

· Mera Haque (1986) … Prince Amar Singh

· Jeeva (1986) … Jeeva/Jeevan Thakur

· Naam (1986) … Vicky Kapoor

· Naam O Nishan (1987) … Inspector. Suraj Singh

· Inaam Dus Hazaar (1987) … Kamal

· Imandar (1987)

· Mohabbat Ke Dushman (1988) … Hisham

· Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988) … Raja

· Kabzaa (1988) … Ravi Varma

· Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988) … Govinda

· Mardon Wali Baat (1988) … Tinku

· Taaqatwar (1989) … Inspector Sharma

· Mohabbat Ka Paigham (1989

· Kanoon Apna Apna (1989) … Ravi

· Hum Bhi Insaan Hain (1989) … Bhola

· Hathyar (1989) … Avinash

· Do Qaidi (1989) … Manu

· Ilaaka (1989) … Inspector Suraj Verma

· Zahreelay (1990) … Raaka

· Tejaa (1990) … Tejaa/Sanjay

· Khatarnaak (1990) … Suraj ‘Sunny’

· Jeene Do (1990)

· Krodh (1990) … Vijay (Munna)

· Thanedaar (1990) … Brijesh Chandar (Birju)

· Yodha (1991) … Suraj Singh

· Sadak (1991) … Ravi

· Qurbani Rang Layegi (1991) … Raj Kishen

· Khoon Ka Karz (1991)

· Fateh (1991)

· Do Matwale (1991) … Ajay Jamesbond 009

· Saajan (1991) … Aman Verma/Sagar

· Jeena Marna Tere Sang’ (1992)

· Adharm (1992) … Vicky Verma

· Sahebzaade (1992) … Raja

· Sarphira (1992) … Suresh Sinha

· Yalgaar (1992) … Vishal Singhal

· Sahibaan (1993) … Prince Vijay Pal Singh

· Khal Nayak (1993) … Balaram Prasad “Ballu”

· Kshatriya (1993) … Vikram Singh (Mirtagarh)

· Gumrah (1993) … Jagan Nath (Jaggu)

· Zamane Se Kya Darna (1994)

· Insaaf Apne Lahoo Se (1994) … Rajoo

· Aatish (1994) … Baba

· Amaanat (1994) … Vijay

· Jai Vikraanta (1995) … Vikranta

· Andolan (1995) … Adarsh

· Namak (1996)

· Vijeta (1996) … Ashok

· Sanam (1997) … Narendra Anand

· Mahaanta (1997) … Sanjay ‘Sanju’ Malhotra

· Dus (1997) … Captain Raja Seti (Incomplete)

· Daud (1997) … Nandu

· Dushman (1998) … Major Suraj Singh Rathod

· Daag: The Fire (1999) … Captain Karan Singh

· Kartoos (1999) … Raja/Jeet Balraj

· Safari (1999) … Captain Kishan

· Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) … Sonu

· Vaastav: The Reality (1999) … Raghunath Namdev Shivalkar, Winner for Best Actor

· Khoobsurat (1999) … Sanju (Sanjay Shastri)

· Khauff (2000) … Anthony/Vicky/Babu

· Baaghi (2000) … Raja

· Chal Mere Bhai (2000) … Vicky Oberoi

· Jung (2000) … Balli

· Mission Kashmir (2000) … SSP Inayat Khan

· Kurukshetra (2000) … A.C.P Prithviraj Singh

· Raju Chacha’ (2000) … Gafoor

· Jodi No.1 (2001) … Jai

· Pitaah (2002) … Rudra

· Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (2002) … Munna Bhai

· Yeh Hai Jalwa (2002) (uncredited) … Shera (special appearance)

· Maine Dil Tujhko Diya (2002) … BhaiJaan

· Hathyar (2002) … Rohit Raghunath Shivalkar

· Annarth (2002) … Iqbal Danger

· Kaante (2002) … Jay Rehan ‘Ajju’

· Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003) … Sitara

· LOC Kargil (2003) … Lt. Col. Y.K. Joshi

· Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003) … Murli Prasad Sharma (Munna Bhai), Winner for Best Comedian

· Plan (2004) … Mussabhai

· Rudraksh (2004) … Varun

· Deewaar (2004) … Khan

· Rakht: What If You Can See the Future (2004) … Rahul

· Musafir (2004) … Billa

· Shabd (2005) … Shaukat Vashisht

· Tango Charlie (2005) … Squadron Leader Vikram Rathore

· Parineeta (2005) … Girish Babu

· Dus (2005) … S Dheer

· Viruddh… Family Comes First (2005) … Ali

· Shaadi No. 1 (2005) … Lukhwinder Singh (Lucky)

· Ek Ajnabee (2005) … Special Appearance (Song)

· Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005) … Yamaraj M.A.

· Zinda (2006) … Balajeet Roy

· Tathastu (2006) … Ravi Rajput

· Anthony Kaun Hai (2006) … Master Madan

· Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006) … Murli Prasad Sharma (Munna Bhai)

· Eklavya: The Royal Guard (2007)

· Nehlle Pe Dehlla (2007) … Johnny

· Sarhad Paar (2007) … Ranjeet Singh

· Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) … Shamsher Khan

Forthcoming

· Dhamaal (September 7, 2007) ….Kabir Nayak

· Happy New Year(2007) (Stuck/On Hold)

· Anthony Kaun Tha (2007) (announced) … Master Madan

· Mohabbat Ho Gayi Hai Tumse (2007) (postproduction)

· Mehbooba (2007) (preproduction)

· Dus Kahaniyan(2007) (preproduction)

· Alibaug (2007) [1] (announced)

· Jaan Ki Baazi (2007) (preproduction)

· Mera Bharat Mahaan (2007) (announced)

· Kabul Ka Gangster (2007) (announced) … Ismail Khan