Bollywood star Jackie Shroff paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary actor and politician Sunil Dutt on his 97th birth anniversary on June 6. Taking to social media, Jackie shared a collage of black-and-white photographs capturing Sunil Dutt's charming screen presence from his younger days.
Along with the pictures, Jackie wrote, 'Remembering Sunil Dutt ji on his birth anniversary' and tagged Sunil Dutt's son, actor Sanjay Dutt. The tribute was accompanied by the classic song 'Yeh Wadiyan Yeh Fizayen Bula Rahi Hain Tumhe', sung by Mohammed Rafi, from the 1963 film 'Aaj Aur Kal', which starred Sunil Dutt and Nanda in lead roles.
Sunil Dutt's Illustrious Career
Born on June 6, 1929, Sunil Dutt became one of the most respected figures in Indian cinema. Before entering films, he worked as a radio announcer and made his acting debut with the 1955 film 'Railway Platform'. However, it was the 1957 classic 'Mother India' that transformed him into a major star.
Directed by Mehboob Khan, 'Mother India' featured Nargis in the lead role, while Sunil Dutt portrayed her son, Birju. The film became a milestone in Indian cinema and was India's first official submission to the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. The film also played a significant role in Sunil Dutt's personal life; during its shooting, he rescued Nargis from a fire, which brought them closer and marked the beginning of their romance.
Personal Life and Legacy
Sunil Dutt and Nargis married in 1958 and had three children: Sanjay Dutt, Namrata Dutt, and Priya Dutt. Over a career spanning decades, Sunil Dutt delivered memorable performances in films such as 'Sujata', 'Mujhe Jeene Do', 'Waqt', 'Khandan', 'Padosan', 'Hamraaz', 'Reshma Aur Shera', 'Heera', 'Jaani Dushman', and 'Rocky', among many others.
After Nargis' death in 1981, Sunil Dutt devoted himself to family and public service. He entered politics, served as a Member of Parliament, and was known for his humanitarian work and efforts toward social harmony. His final screen appearance came in the 2003 film 'Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.', alongside his son Sanjay Dutt. The legendary actor passed away on May 25, 2005, in Mumbai due to a heart attack at the age of 75.
