Sanjay Dutt is a prominent Indian actor, playback singer, and film producer known for his work in Hindi cinema, with appearances in Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Punjabi films. With a career spanning over four decades, he has garnered significant recognition and accolades, starring in more than 135 films. Dutt is regarded as one of the most popular and celebrated actors in the Hindi film industry.
July 1959: Birth of Sanjay Dutt
Sanjay Balraj Dutt was born in July 1959 in Bombay City (Now Mumbai after 1995), Bombay State, Republic of India.
1971: Early Acting Debut in "Reshma Aur Shera"
Sanjay Dutt made his acting debut at an early age in 1971, playing a Qawali singer in his father's film "Reshma Aur Shera".
1981: Bollywood Debut with "Rocky"
Sanjay Dutt made his Bollywood film debut with the moderately successful "Rocky" in 1981.
1981: Sanjay Dutt's Acting Debut in "Rocky"
Sanjay Dutt made his acting debut in 1981 with the film "Rocky", directed by his father, Sunil Dutt.
1981: The Loss of Nargis Dutt
Sanjay Dutt's mother, Nargis Dutt, passed away in 1981, shortly before the premiere of his debut film "Rocky".
1982: Success with "Vidhaata"
Sanjay Dutt starred in "Vidhaata" in 1982, which became the highest-grossing Hindi film of that year.
1983: Release of "Main Awara Hoon"
Sanjay Dutt starred in the film "Main Awara Hoon" in 1983.
1985: Filming of "Jaan Ki Baazi"
Sanjay Dutt filmed "Jaan Ki Baazi" in 1985, marking his return to the screen after a two-year gap.
1986: "Naam" Marks a Turning Point
The 1986 film "Naam" proved to be a turning point in Sanjay Dutt's career, achieving both critical and commercial success.
1986: Career Turning Point with "Naam"
The crime thriller "Naam" was released in 1986, marking a significant turning point in Sanjay Dutt's career and garnering both critical acclaim and commercial success.
1987: Marriage to Richa Sharma
Sanjay Dutt married actress Richa Sharma in 1987.
1987: Success with "Imaandaar" and "Inaam Dus Hazaar"
Sanjay Dutt appeared in successful films like "Imaandaar" and "Inaam Dus Hazaar" in 1987.
1988: Notable Films Like "Jeete Hain Shaan Se" and "Mardon Wali Baat"
Sanjay Dutt starred in notable films such as "Jeete Hain Shaan Se" and "Mardon Wali Baat" in 1988.
1988: Critical Acclaim for "Kabzaa"
Sanjay Dutt's performance in "Kabzaa" in 1988 was well-received by critics.
1988: Birth of Trishala Dutt
Trishala Dutt, Sanjay Dutt's daughter, was born in 1988.
1989: Appearances in Multi-Starrers
In 1989, Sanjay Dutt appeared in several multi-starrer films alongside other prominent actors.
1989: Positive Reception for "Hathyar"
Sanjay Dutt's performance in J. P. Dutta's "Hathyar" in 1989 was well-received by critics.
1990: Sanjay Dutt Stars in Successful Films Like "Thanedaar"
Sanjay Dutt starred in several successful films in 1990, including "Thanedaar".
1990: Continued Success in the 1990s
Sanjay Dutt's success in the film industry continued into the 1990s with films such as "Tejaa", "Khatarnaak", "Zahreelay", and "Thanedaar".
1991: Box Office Success of "Saajan" and "Sadak"
"Saajan", starring Sanjay Dutt, became the highest-grossing Bollywood film of 1991, while "Sadak" secured the fifth position in terms of box office earnings that year.
1991: Notable Performances in "Saajan" and "Sadak"
Sanjay Dutt appeared in notable films like "Saajan" and "Sadak" in 1991, establishing himself as a prominent actor.
1991: Impactful Films: "Sadak", "Saajan", and "Khoon Ka Karz"
Sanjay Dutt starred in impactful films such as "Sadak", "Saajan", and "Khoon Ka Karz" in 1991, further solidifying his position in Bollywood.
1991: Release of "Sadak"
Sanjay Dutt starred in the film "Sadak", which was released in 1991.
September 1992: Connection to Abdul Qayyum Abdul Karim Shaikh
The arrest of Abdul Qayyum Abdul Karim Shaikh, a suspected associate of Dawood Ibrahim, coincided with Sanjay Dutt providing Qayuum's name to authorities during his confession. Dutt claimed he bought a pistol from Qayuum in Dubai in September 1992.
1992: Release of "Adharm"
Sanjay Dutt starred in "Adharm" in 1992.
1992: Release of "Yalgaar"
Sanjay Dutt's film "Yalgaar" was released in 1992.
1992: Sanjay Dutt's Connection to Islam
In the early 1990s, Sanjay Dutt displayed an affinity for Islam, including wearing verses from the Quran. This was attributed to his mother's Muslim background and close relationship with his maternal uncle's family.
April 1993: Arrest and Charges Under TADA
Following a report by Baljeet Parmar regarding Sanjay Dutt's possession of an AK-56 rifle, he was arrested on April 19, 1993, under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA).
April 1993: Arrest and Conviction
In April 1993, Sanjay Dutt was arrested under TADA and the Arms Act, and was later convicted for violating the Arms Act by possessing illegal weapons.
May 1993: Supreme Court Grants Bail
Sanjay Dutt was granted bail by the Supreme Court of India in May 1993.
1993: "Khalnayak" Becomes a Blockbuster
"Khalnayak", featuring Sanjay Dutt, emerged as a blockbuster in 1993, achieving the second-highest box office gross for that year.
1993: Sanjay Dutt's Explanation for Possessing an Assault Rifle
During a police interrogation following the 1992-1993 Mumbai riots, Sanjay Dutt, when questioned about an assault rifle he admitted to receiving from Anees Ibrahim (brother of Dawood Ibrahim), claimed that he couldn't bear the events unfolding in the city due to his "Muslim blood."
1993: Sanjay Dutt and the Bombay Bombings
In 1993, Sanjay Dutt was among those accused of involvement in the Bombay bombings. He was alleged to have accepted weapons from individuals implicated in the blasts.
1993: Performances in "Gumrah" and "Sahibaan"
Sanjay Dutt showcased his acting abilities in films like "Gumrah" and "Sahibaan" in 1993.
1993: Bombay Bombings and Allegations Against Dutt
Sanjay Dutt was among several individuals with Bollywood ties accused of involvement in the 1993 Bombay bombings. He was accused of accepting a delivery of weapons at his residence from Abu Salem and Riyaz Siddiqui, both implicated in the blasts. Dutt claimed he only received a Type-56 rifle for his family's protection from the producers of his film, "Sanam". Some reports suggested that a political rivalry involving Sanjay's father, Sunil Dutt, may have contributed to the accusations against him.
1993: Critical Acclaim for "Khalnayak"
Sanjay Dutt's performance in "Khalnayak" in 1993 earned him critical acclaim and recognition.
July 1994: Bail Canceled, Rearrest
Sanjay Dutt's bail was canceled in July 1994, leading to his rearrest.
1994: "Aatish: Feel the Fire" Adds to Filmography
Sanjay Dutt's filmography expanded with the release of "Aatish: Feel the Fire" in 1994.
1994: "Aatish" Adds to Successful Filmography
Sanjay Dutt's filmography expanded with the release of "Aatish" in 1994.
October 1995: Bail Granted Again
In October 1995, Sanjay Dutt was granted bail once again.
1995: Bail Granted
Sanjay Dutt was granted bail in 1995 during his sentence.
1995: Sanjay Dutt's Family Background
This entry provides details about Sanjay Dutt's family background and his upbringing in Bombay, which was renamed Mumbai in 1995.
1996: Death of Richa Sharma
Tragically, Richa Sharma, Sanjay Dutt's first wife, passed away from a brain tumor in 1996.
1997: Release of "Daud"
Sanjay Dutt's film "Daud" was released in 1997 after his arrest in 1993.
February 1998: Marriage to Rhea Pillai
Sanjay Dutt married Rhea Pillai, a former air hostess who became a model, in February 1998.
1998: Financial Success of "Dushman"
Sanjay Dutt's film "Dushman", released in 1998, performed well at the box office.
1999: Career Revival with Films Like "Vaastav: The Reality"
1999 marked a significant comeback for Sanjay Dutt with successful films like "Daag", "Haseena Maan Jaayegi", and "Vaastav: The Reality". His performance in "Vaastav" earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
1999: Career Resurgence with Multiple Hits
The year 1999 marked a significant resurgence in Sanjay Dutt's career, with all five of his film releases ranking among the highest-grossing films of the year. These films included "Kartoos", "Khoobsurat", "Haseena Maan Jaayegi", "Daag: The Fire", and "Vaastav: The Reality".
2000: Notable Films Since 2000
Beginning in 2000, Sanjay Dutt appeared in notable films that further solidified his career.
2000: Eight Films Achieve Silver Jubilee Status Since 2000
By 2000, only eight films, including "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.", achieved silver jubilee status, indicating a 25-week run in theaters.
2000: Critical Recognition for "Mission Kashmir"
Sanjay Dutt received critical acclaim for his performance in the 2000 film "Mission Kashmir", earning him awards and nominations.
2000: Critical Acclaim for "Mission Kashmir"
Sanjay Dutt's performance in "Mission Kashmir" in 2000 earned him critical acclaim and recognition.
2001: Release of "Jodi No.1"
Sanjay Dutt starred in the commercially successful film "Jodi No.1" in 2001.
2001: Release of "Jodi No.1"
Sanjay Dutt starred in "Jodi No.1" in 2001.
2002: Performances in "Pitaah" and "Kaante"
Sanjay Dutt appeared in films like "Pitaah" and "Kaante" in 2002. His role in "Kaante" earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.
2003: Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. Release and Success
In 2003, Sanjay Dutt starred in "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.", a critical and commercial success. The film won a National Award and earned Dutt his first Filmfare Award for Best Comedian.
2003: Start of the "Munna Bhai" Series
The first installment of Rajkumar Hirani's "Munna Bhai" series, starring Sanjay Dutt, was released in 2003.
2004: Release of "Musafir" and "Plan"
Sanjay Dutt appeared in two films in 2004: "Musafir" and "Plan".
2005: Critical Acclaim and Film Releases
Dutt starred in several films in 2005, including "Parineeta", which earned him a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and received critical acclaim for his roles in "Shabd" and "Dus".
2005: Performances in "Parineeta" and "Dus"
Sanjay Dutt showcased his acting skills in films like "Parineeta" and "Dus" in 2005.
September 2006: Release of "Lage Raho Munna Bhai" and Recognition
The sequel to "Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.", titled "Lage Raho Munna Bhai", was released in September 2006. Dutt received numerous accolades for his performance, including recognition from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for his contribution to the Munna Bhai series. NDTV India also listed his character, Munna Bhai, as one of the top 20 fictional characters in Bollywood.
2006: Critical Acclaim for "Zinda"
In 2006, Sanjay Dutt's performance in the film "Zinda" garnered critical acclaim.
2006: Conclusion of the "Munna Bhai" Series
The "Munna Bhai" series, starring Sanjay Dutt, concluded in 2006.
July 2007: Sanjay Dutt Cleared of Mumbai Blast Charges but Sentenced for Illegal Weapons Possession
In July 2007, Sanjay Dutt was cleared of charges related to the Mumbai blast but received a six-year sentence for illegal weapon possession under the Arms Act. Despite his defense of fearing for his life after the "Black Friday" bombings, the judge rejected it and denied bail.
August 2007: Sanjay Dutt Granted Interim Bail
In August 2007, Dutt appealed against his sentence and was granted interim bail while awaiting a copy of the judgment from the TADA court.
October 2007: Sanjay Dutt Returns to Jail, Applies for Bail Again
Dutt returned to jail in October 2007 as per the court's instructions but applied for bail once more.
November 2007: Sanjay Dutt Granted Bail by Supreme Court
The Supreme Court granted Sanjay Dutt bail in November 2007, providing him temporary relief from imprisonment.
2007: Bail Granted Again
Sanjay Dutt was granted bail again in 2007.
2007: Release of "Dhamaal" and "Shootout at Lokhandwala"
Sanjay Dutt appeared in two films in 2007: "Dhamaal" and "Shootout at Lokhandwala".
2007: Appearances in "Shootout at Lokhandwala" and "Dhamaal"
Sanjay Dutt appeared in films like "Shootout at Lokhandwala" and "Dhamaal" in 2007.
January 2008: Dutt's Films Recognized in Top 100 Grossing Movies
In January 2008, the Indian Film Institute Filmfare included 12 of Dutt's films in their list of the top 100 highest-grossing movies of all time.
2008: Divorce from Rhea Pillai and Marriage to Manyata
Sanjay Dutt's divorce from Rhea Pillai was finalized in 2008, the same year he married Manyata (born Dilnawaz Sheikh) after two years of dating. Their marriage was registered in Goa and later celebrated in a Hindu ceremony in Mumbai.
2009: Release of "All the Best"
The film "All the Best", featuring Sanjay Dutt, was released in 2009.
2009: Release of "All the Best"
Sanjay Dutt starred in "All the Best" in 2009.
2009: Sanjay Dutt Ventures into Politics
Sanjay Dutt expressed his political inclinations and was persuaded to contest the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, but withdrew due to legal complications.
October 2010: Birth of Twins with Manyata Dutt
Sanjay Dutt and his wife, Manyata Dutt, welcomed twins in October 2010.
December 2010: Sanjay Dutt Resigns as Samajwadi Party General Secretary
Sanjay Dutt served as the General Secretary of the Samajwadi Party but stepped down from the position in December 2010.
October 2011: Co-Hosting Bigg Boss Season 5
Sanjay Dutt co-hosted the fifth season of the Indian reality show "Bigg Boss" with Salman Khan. The season ran from October 2, 2011, to January 7, 2012, on Colors television.
2011: Release of "Double Dhamaal"
Sanjay Dutt starred in the film "Double Dhamaal", released in 2011.
2011: "Double Dhamaal" Hits the Screens
The sequel "Double Dhamaal", starring Sanjay Dutt, was released in 2011.
January 2012: Launch of Super Fight League
On January 16, 2012, Sanjay Dutt and entrepreneur Raj Kundra launched the Super Fight League, India's inaugural professional mixed martial arts league.
January 2012: Salman Khan Persuades Dutt to Co-Host
Sanjay Dutt revealed that Salman Khan convinced him to co-host "Bigg Boss".
2012: Release of "Son of Sardaar" and "Agneepath"
In 2012, Sanjay Dutt appeared in two films: "Son of Sardaar" and "Agneepath".
2012: Notable Roles in "Agneepath" and "Son of Sardaar"
Sanjay Dutt delivered notable performances in films like "Agneepath" and "Son of Sardaar" in 2012.
March 2013: Supreme Court Upholds Verdict, Shortens Sentence
In March 2013, the Supreme Court upheld the guilty verdict in Sanjay Dutt's case but reduced his sentence to five years, giving him a month to surrender.
May 2013: Dutt's Films Recognized in Top 20 Grossing Hindi Films
In May 2013, Filmfare's "100 years of Indian cinema" edition featured three of Dutt's films—"Lage Raho Munna Bhai", "Khalnayak", and "Saajan"—in their top 20 list of highest-grossing Hindi films, adjusted for inflation.
May 2013: Sanjay Dutt Surrenders to Authorities
In May 2013, the Supreme Court rejected Dutt's review petition, leading him to withdraw his mercy plea and surrender to the Mumbai Police.
December 2013: Sanjay Dutt Granted Parole
Sanjay Dutt was granted parole in December 2013, marking a temporary release from prison.
2013: Bail Granted Once More
Sanjay Dutt was granted bail once more in 2013.
March 2014: Concern Over Parole Extensions
Dutt's parole was extended multiple times until March 2014, raising concern in the Bombay High Court and prompting proposals to amend parole laws.
2014: Reunion with Rajkumar Hirani for "PK"
Sanjay Dutt reunited with director Rajkumar Hirani for the film "PK" in 2014.
2014: Release of "PK"
Sanjay Dutt starred in the film "PK", released in 2014.
2015: Another Instance of Bail
Sanjay Dutt was granted bail again in 2015.
February 2016: Sanjay Dutt Released After Completing Sentence
After completing his prison term, Sanjay Dutt was released from Yerwada Central Jail in February 2016.
September 2016: Announcement of "Munna Bhai" Series Third Installment
Vidhu Vinod Chopra announced a third film in the "Munna Bhai" series, starring Sanjay Dutt, in September 2016.
2016: Completion of Jail Sentence
Sanjay Dutt completed his five-year jail sentence in 2016.
2017: Release of "Bhoomi"
Sanjay Dutt starred in the lead role of "Bhoomi", directed by Omung Kumar, in 2017.
June 2018: Release of "Sanju"
Dutt made a special appearance in his biopic, "Sanju", which was released in June 2018.
2018: Release of Biopic "Sanju"
The biopic "Sanju," based on Sanjay Dutt's life and starring Ranbir Kapoor, was released in 2018 to positive reviews and became a box office hit.
September 2019: Release of "Prassthanam"
Sanjay Dutt starred in and produced "Prassthanam", which was released in September 2019.
2021: Release of "Bhuj: The Pride of India"
Sanjay Dutt starred in "Bhuj: The Pride of India", released in 2021, which featured an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Sonakshi Sinha, and Nora Fatehi.
2022: Release of "Toolsidas Junior" and National Film Award Win
Sanjay Dutt appeared in "Toolsidas Junior", a sports drama that won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, in 2022.
2022: Film Releases and Varying Success
Sanjay Dutt debuted in Kannada cinema as Adheera in "K.G.F: Chapter 2," a major box office success. However, his other 2022 releases, "Shamshera" and "Samrat Prithviraj", were not as successful financially.
2022: Antagonistic Role in "K.G.F: Chapter 2"
Sanjay Dutt portrayed the main antagonist in the Kannada film "K.G.F: Chapter 2" in 2022, which became a major commercial success.
2023: Successful Film Appearances
In 2023, Sanjay Dutt had a cameo in "Jawan" and played an antagonist in "Leo", both financially successful films. "Leo" marked his Tamil cinema debut.
2023: Success with "Leo"
Sanjay Dutt starred in the Tamil film "Leo" in 2023, which emerged as a box office success.
2024: Production Pending for Third "Munna Bhai" Film
As of 2024, the third installment of the "Munna Bhai" series has yet to begin production.