Sanjay Balraj Dutt (born 29 July 1959) is an Indian film actor and producer known for his work in Hindi cinema (Bollywood). Dutt, son of veteran Hindi film actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt, made his acting debut in 1981. Since then he has acted in more than hundred Hindi films. Although Dutt has enjoyed great success as a lead actor in genres ranging from romance to comedy it has been the roles of gangsters, thugs and police officers in films that belong to the drama and action genres that have won Dutt much appreciation, with the Indian media and audiences alike popularly referring to him as the "Deadly Dutt," for his larger-than-life portrayals of such characters. In a film career spanning more than thirty five years, Dutt has garnered two Filmfare Awards, two IIFA Awards, two Bollywood Movie Awards, three Screen Awards, three Stardust Awards, a Global Indian Film Award and, a Bengal Film Journalist's Association Award as well as played the lead in four national award winning films.
Dutt was arrested under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act in April 1993, due to illegal arms possession. The terrorism charges were dropped, but he was convicted of illegal possession of arms. After serving his sentence with good behavior and conduct, Dutt was released on February 25, 2016.
Sanjay Dutt made his Bollywood movie debut with the box office hit Rocky in 1981. He went on to star in Vidhaata, the highest grossing Hindi film of 1982 along with the super hit Main Awara Hoon (1983). In 1985 he shot for his first film in three years, Jaan ki Baazi (1985). This was Sanjay's first film post what is now referred to as his drug phase years, when personal problems and a number of films that had been completed before his departure to the USA flopped at the box office, after which he had contemplated not returning to films. Jaan ki Baazi marked a comeback for Dutt and he appeared in successful films throughout the 80s such as Imaandaar, Inaam Dus Hazaar, Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988), Mardon Wali Baat (1988), Ilaaka (1989), Hum Bhi Insaan Hain (1989), Kanoon Apna Apna (1989), and Taaqatwar (1989).
The 1986 blockbuster Naam (1986 film) was Dutt's first major critical success and a turning point in his career, the film firmly cemented him amongst India's finest young mainstream leading actors as he earned praise for his portrayal of an illegal immigrant in Dubai who spirals into a life of crime. His performances in both Kabzaa (1988) and J. P. Dutta's 1989 Hathyar. were also both well received by critics although both films only managed average collections at the box office. In the late 80s he was seen in a number of multi-starrers alongside actors like Govinda, Mithun, Dharmendra, Jackie Shroff and Sunny Deol.
His successes continued in the 90s, with films that include Tejaa, khatarnaak, Zahreelay, Thanedaar, Khoon Ka Karz, Yalgaar, Gumrah, Sahibaan, and Aatish: Feel the Fire. He went on to star in some of the most era-defining Indian films of the early 90s such as Sadak, Saajan (for which he was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor Award) and Khal Nayak, for which he earned his second Filmfare Best Actor Award nomination. Three weeks before its release, however, in April 1993, he was arrested, charged with involvement in the 1993 Mumbai bombings. Dutt was unable to act for the next four years due to his subsequent arrests and bails although many incomplete films released featuring Dutt during this time that all sank without a trace, the 1994 hit Aatish being the only exception, which was completed before his 1993 arrest.
Bombay suffered a series of serial bombings in 1993. Dutt was among several people associated with Bollywood who were accused of involvement. Dutt was accused of accepting a delivery of weapons at his house from Abu Salem and co-accused Riyaz Siddiqui, who had also been implicated in relation to the Mumbai blasts.[28] It was claimed that the weapons formed a part of a large consignment of arms connected to the terrorists.
In April 1993 he was arrested under the provisions of the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities Act (TADA). Dutt was granted bail by the Supreme Court of India in October 1995 but was re-arrested in December 1995. He was again released on bail in April 1997. The case came to court in 2006 and during the period of 2006–2007, Dutt spent seven months in Arthur Road Jail and Pune prison on three occasions for the offenses.
