Full Name: Sanjay Balraj Dutt
Stage Name: Sanjay Dutt
Date of Birth (DOB): July 29, 1959
Age: 66 years (as of 2025)
Net Worth: INR 230 Crore
Place of Birth: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Nationality: Indian
Religion: Hinduism
Profession: Actor, Film Producer
Upcoming Movies
| Release Date (2026) | Film Title | Notes / Director / Role (if known) |
| 09 Jan 2026 | The Raja Saab | Directed by Maruthi — a multi-language Telugu film; Sanjay Dutt in the cast. |
| 01 May 2026 | Raja Shivaji | Historical / biopic film, directed by Riteish Deshmukh; Sanjay Dutt plays Afzal Khan. |
| 2026 (TBA) | Hera Pheri 4 | Listed among his upcoming 2026 projects. |
Recent Movies
| Year | Film Title | Notes / Release Info |
| 2025 | Dhurandhar | Spy-action thriller, released 5 December 2025. |
| 2025 | Baaghi 4 | Action-thriller, released 5 September 2025. |
| 2025 | The Bhootnii | Released 1 May 2025 |
| 2024 | Ghudchadi | Released on 9 August 2024 (premiered on JioCinema) |
| 2024 | Double ISMART | Listed in the 2024 filmography for Sanjay Dutt |
Early Life and Background
Sanjay Dutt was born in Bombay (now Mumbai) to parents who are also noted Hindi Cinema actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt. He completed his studies at The Lawrence School, Sanawar, and thereafter at Elphinstone College, Mumbai.
Sanjay Dutt was born to a Hindu father, Sunil Dutt, and a Muslim Mother, Nargis Dutt. He has two sisters, namely Priya Dutt and Namrata Dutt. His paternal ancestry can be traced back to the Rawalpindi Division of Western Punjab (present-day Pakistan) in the Jhelum District. Sanjay Dutt has maternal connections to the film industry.
With his debut in Bollywood with the movie Rocky, which was directed by Sanjay Dutt’s father, Sunil Dutt, he shot to popularity but soon got addicted to drugs. Before his debut movie was released in 1981, Sanjay Dutt lost his mother to pancreatic cancer, which is also considered a main reason for his early age drug addiction.
When Sanjay Dutt was in a US rehab centre, taking his sessions for Drug addiction, he got married to his first wife, Richa Sharma, who died because of serious health conditions, and has a daughter named Trishala Dutt from this marriage. Once he was back in India after these therapy sessions, he got married once again to Rhea Pillai in 1998, and then later got divorced.
He then got married to Manyata Dutt, his present wife, and has twin children from this marriage, namely Shahraan Dutt and Iqra Dutt. Sanjay Dutt has been part of many popular films throughout his acting career. He has even made movies in the South.
Rise to Fame- From Star Kid to One of Bollywood’s Finest Performers. (1981-2025)
Debut Film
- Rocky (1981) – A major box-office hit that made him an overnight star
- Directed by his father, Sunil Dutt
Major & Iconic Movies
- Naam (1986)
- Saajan (1991)
- Khalnayak (1993)
- Vaastav (1999)
- Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. (2003)
- Lage Raho Munna Bhai (2006)
- Agneepath (2012)
- Panipat (2019)
- KGF Chapter 2 (2022)
- Leo (2023)
- Dhurandhar (2025)
Sanjay Dutt’s Role in Dhurandhar: A Portrait of Power
Sanjay Dutt’s character in the movie Dhurandhar stands out as a powerful blend of raw authority, political influence and psychological dominance. He portrays a formidable figure who operates in the dark corridors of power, where the decisions are driven by ambition, control, and calculated brutality. Unlike the conventional loud antagonist, his presence is marked by restraint, intimidation, and silent menace. Sanjay Dutt brings weight and gravitas to the role by making every appearance impactful through minimal dialogue and intense expressions.
Awards and Laurels
- Filmfare Award – Best Actor: Vaastav (2000)
- Filmfare Award – Best Supporting Actor: Agneepath (2013)
- IIFA Award – Best Actor: Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.
- Multiple Screen Awards & Zee Cine Awards
The Major Controversies of Sanjay Dutt’s Life
| Year | Controversy | What Happened | Outcome |
| 1993 | Bombay Blast Case | Arrested for illegal possession of arms after the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts. | Convicted under the Arms Act (not for terrorism). |
| 1995–2007 | Legal Proceedings | Went through multiple arrests, bail periods, and court hearings over several years. | The case dragged on for more than a decade. |
| 2013 | Final Verdict | The Supreme Court upheld his conviction under the Arms Act. | Sentenced to 5 years imprisonment. |
| 2013–2016 | Imprisonment | Served his remaining jail term in Yerawada Jail, Pune. | Released in February 2016 after completing the sentence. |
| 1980s–1990s | Drug Addiction | Struggled with substance abuse during early career. | Underwent rehabilitation and made a full recovery. |
| Personal Life | Media Scrutiny | Marriages, relationships, and family life remained under constant public attention. | Public image saw ups and downs over the decades. |
| 2018 | Sanju Biopic Debate | His life story was criticised for allegedly showing a softened narrative. | The film became a blockbuster despite controversies. |
A Personal Fight: Sanjay Dutt’s Journey with Cancer
In the year 2020, Sanjay Dutt was hospitalized after experiencing severe breathlessness, which was taken to be symptoms of COVID-19 or TB. However, after medical tests and reports came out, Sanjay Dutt was diagnosed with Stage 4 Small Cell Lung Cancer, an aggressive form of cancer. This news had deeply shocked him and his family, and he openly spoke about his emotional breakdown, but soon resolved to fight with determination.
He then underwent Chemotherapy under the guidance of specialists with support from his family and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan. Along with medical treatment, he also maintained a strong medical discipline, regular workouts, cycling, and a positive attitude. In October 2020, he announced that he was cancer-free and was called a cancer warrior, which turned out to be one of the best birthday gifts for his children. Since then, he actively promotes cancer awareness, access to advanced treatments access and the power of willpower and faith.
A legacy and Influence on Bollywood
The legacy that Sanjay Dutt has built in Bollywood is purely defined by raw power, emotional depth, and remarkable resilience. From atrocious crime dramas like Vaastav to the lovable Munna Bhai series, he has created an iconic yet a contrasting image as a hardened anti-hero and the compassionate hero. His rugged screen presence reshaped the 1990s action genre and also set a template for realistic, gritty characters in Hindi Cinema.
Apart from the film industry and its struggles, Sanjay Dutt’s real-life struggles and comeback after imprisonment made him a symbol of second chances and redemption in the industry. Many actors today draw inspiration from his fearless role choices and the ability to reinvent himself across the decades.
Sanjay Dutt also influenced the rise of anti-hero protagonists in mainstream cinema, making flawed, complex characters commercially viable. With a career spanning over four decades, his impact on Bollywood remains both cinematic and cultural, which cements him as one of India’s most enduring personalities.
